Brown conferred doctorate by Delhi University

NEW DELHI: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday was honoured with a doctorate degree by Delhi University in recognition of his achievements in the field of academics and public services.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, also the Chancellor of the University, presented the honorary degree to the British premier.

The degree is awarded to 57-year-old Brown for his "deep commitment to human values", University Vice Chancellor Deepak Paintal said at the special convocation held at the historic Old Vice Regal Lodge.
    
Brown said it was a real privilege for him to get the degree from Delhi University which he described as one of the best Universities in the country.
   
He commended the University for fulfilling the educational needs of young people from as many as 60 countries, which is the largest presence of foreign students in any varsity in Asia.
   
In his acceptance speech, Brown spoke about the traditional ties with India and Britain and said it would play an important role in creating a new global framework of developed and developing countries.

The decision to confer the Ph.D is seen as a friendly gesture to the British Prime Minister.
 
The University of Cambridge had honoured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a doctorate degree three months ago.

Brown majored in history from Edinburgh University and did his MA there in 1972. He was a lecturer at Glasgow College of Technology in 1976 before entering active politics.