Cork, Ireland : Prof Dinesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, was honoured last week by University College Cork (UCC) for his academic achievements and for his transformative role in modernising higher education. He was awarded a DSc (Degree of Doctor of Science)

The annual ceremony which was held at the University recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally, through their scholarship, creativity, public service or contribution to social, cultural, sporting or economic life.

In addition to receiving a DSc (Degree of Doctor of Science), Prof Singh also delivered a lecture entitled ‘India in the 21st century’, as part of UCC’s Centre for Global Development ‘Global Challenges’ lecture series. This talk traced India’s journey from the middle of the last century to the present decade in the 21st Century. By honouring Prof Singh, who is the first Indian to receive this honour, the University recognises both the current and envisaged future collaborations with the University of Delhi as well as the enduring relationship that exists between India and Ireland.

UCC, which is one of Ireland’s leading Universities, has a long history of engagement with India going back to the 19th Century. Over the past three years, UCC has made significant efforts to connect with the subcontinent with key members of staff making numerous visits and promoting their scholarships. UCC’s aim is crystallised in the notion of connection at all levels, research, faculty interaction, student movement (in both directions), government, industry and enterprise.

Receiving his honorary degree, Vice Chancellor Singh said: ‘I am deeply honoured and greatly humbled that I have received this honorary degree … because I am conscious of the fact that one of the greatest mathematical minds in history, George Boole, was a professor at UCC. I feel his presence while I am here in Cork, and have always been an ardent admirer of George Boole since my school days never realizing that one day his own university would signal this honour for me’.

‘Overwhelmed by the hospitality’, Professor Singh stated that he ’I cannot help but imbibe the traditions that Ireland has and the impact that it has had on India. This honour that has been bestowed upon me is an affirmation of fact that there are connections between Ireland and India that date back a long time. Our freedom struggle was greatly inspired by Ireland’s own efforts. Our constitution draws upon your constitution … I have had close connections with the department of mathematics much before I became conscious of them. I have, in mathematical parlance, my mathematical brothers, distinguished mathematicians who worked with the same professors I worked with in Imperial College on the faculty here … I go back enriched’.

Dr Michael Murphy, President, University College Cork said, ‘as a Republic, we do not have knights or dames. The best we have is university recognition of stellar performance by individuals, wherever in the globe, to the benefit of all of us. Today we have honoured four extraordinary people whom we are proud

to welcome into membership of this university for the rest of their lives’. “Professor Dinesh Singh is being specifically recognised for his outstanding role in leading and managing the transformation of India’s premier university.”