Singapore university confers honorary degree on Ratan Tata

SINGAPORE: India's leading industrialist Ratan Tata was today conferred with a honorary degree of Doctor of Business by a Singaporean university for his achievements as a visionary entrepreneur and a societal leader.

The honorary degree was jointly presented to Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, by Singapore's Minister for Education Heng Sweet Keat and Singapore Management University President Arnoud De Meyer at a ceremony here.

The ceremony, which was followed by a dialogue with Tata, was attended by about 100 guests, including India's High Commissioner to Singapore Ms Vijay Thakur Singh and SMU Senior Fellow and former Singapore President S R Nathan.

The honorary degree acknowledges the 76-year-old's achievements as a visionary entrepreneur, a societal leader and an astute businessman.

In 2008, the Singapore government awarded Tata the 2007 Honorary Citizen award for his valuable contribution to the country's growth and development.

"Tata is an eminent individual who has exhibited true distinction in business and philanthropy and who has strong and active connections with SMU both directly and through his organisations.

This award recognises the aspirations, values and ideals that he and his organisations share with our University," said Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman of SMU Board of Trustees.

In his acceptance speech, Tata said: "I am pleased to receive this award from the Singapore Management University. I am happy to deepen my relationship with Singapore, and for this opportunity to be able to further engage, nurture and inspire bright university students in Asia to be responsible business leaders who will lead the way in global development in future."

SMU said close to 100 varsity students have benefited from internship opportunities in the Tata Group's companies over the last nine years through the SMU-Tata relationship.