India's President Mukherjee Awarded Honorary Doctorate
Degree at Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, October 15, 2015 — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem conferred an honorary Doctor of
Philosophy degree upon Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India, in Jerusalem today.
The university's highest honor was awarded in recognition of President Mukherjee's longtime exemplary
public service as a leading diplomat and champion of social and financial reform, in particular his many
and varied contributions to boosting India’s global economic standing; in tribute to his steadfast
commitment to higher education as the foundation of a prosperous and progressive society; and in
appreciation of his longstanding advocacy of a warm and committed relationship with the State of
Israel.
Shri Pranab Mukherjee is the thirteenth
President of India and a distinguished elder
statesman. He has devoted his five decades
of public service in India to championing
social justice and advancing India’s
international diplomatic and financial global
standing.
This historic first visit of an Indian head of
state to Israel comes after 25 years of quiet
diplomatic relations between the two
countries. India and Israel have extensive
ties in a wide variety of fields in which the
Hebrew University, which produces onethird of all civilian research in Israel, is a
leader.
President Mukherjee joined the Chairman of the Hebrew
University's Board of Governors Mr. Michael Federmann (R)
and President of the Hebrew University Prof. Menahem BenSasson (L) in examining letters on loan from the Hebrew
University's Albert Einstein Archives. (Photo: Bruno Sharvit)
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Prior to receiving his honorary doctorate,
President Mukherjee joined the Chairman of
the Hebrew University's Board of Governors Mr. Michael Federmann, and President of the Hebrew
University Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, in examining letters on loan from the Hebrew University's Albert
Einstein Archives. The letters were exchanged between Albert Einstein, a founder of the Hebrew
University and one of its most enthusiastic supporters, and important figures from India's history,
including Mahatma Gandhi and leading poets and philosophers.
The presidents discussed India and Israel's mutual strong commitment to higher education and the
importance of pursing scientific research together. President Mukherjee emphasized the successful
collaborations Israel and India are pursuing in areas as diverse as agriculture, cyber-security and
advanced technologies.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s leading academic and research institution, producing onethird of all civilian research in Israel. For more information, visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
Media contact:
Dov Smith
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
+972-2-5882844 / +972-54-8820860
dovs@savion.huji.ac.il