Universities around the world award honorary doctorate degrees to individuals who make outstanding contributions beyond the academic world. Unlike regular degrees that require years of study and work, honorary doctorates recognize individuals whose achievements impact society through non-traditional paths. Many renowned figures in arts, sciences, and public service have received these prestigious honors.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, serves as a global hub for education and innovation and has emerged as a pacesetter in modern higher education. Numerous universities offer honorary doctorate degrees and recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various fields. This blog will answer questions about honorary doctorate degrees.
What Are Honorary Doctorate Degrees?
Honorary doctorate degrees (or honorary PhDs) are offered to people in recognition of their achievements and the huge effect they’ve made in society within the discipline of the trendy way of life, technological know-how, enterprise, and education, They are symbolic awards, as a result of a lifetime of work as opposed to being primarily based on years of academic examination or research. Recipient’s cutting-edge honorary doctorate degrees are modern and are addressed as “doctor”, however, this is essentially ceremonial. Universities and establishments around the world award these honorary levels to understand the wonderful impact of trendy people in fields like education, government, the arts, sports activities, and humanitarian efforts. Henry Harvin Education also assists in getting doctoral degrees in collaboration with a few overseas universities.

Top 10 Institutes offering Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Abu Dhabi
1) Dunster Business School

Certainly, Dunster Business School awards Honorary Doctorate degrees to individuals whose contributions and fantastic management and innovations have significantly impacted enterprise, schooling, and social improvement domestically in addition to globally. Through this honour, the faculty celebrates outstanding philanthropic and social initiatives that align with the faculty’s values. Additionally, other than honorary doctorate degrees, Dunster Business School gives mainstream levels together with Diplomas, Bachelor’s, and Master’s, and short-term certification courses.
What is it that makes Dunster Business School a unique preference for plenty of students
- Worldwide Partnerships – also, taking part with top universities and multinational groups worldwide.
- Various networks: moreover, various student and teacher networks from over 50 countries
- Infrastructure: the exceptional facilities which include the innovation labs and co-working
- Professional offerings: also, internship opportunities, placements, and sports that decorate networking competencies.
- International Network Outreach – The Institute’s Alumni are in leadership positions internationally. Therefore, this results in students having the possibility to connect with this community, get entry to internships, interact with industry leaders, and gain from career offerings committed to their achievement.
- First-class college – main lecturers and industry practitioners as faculty participants.
Several brilliant establishments have authorized Dunster Business School:
- UKCert,
- UKAF CB-half,
- Dun & Bradstreet,
- Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC),
- CompTIA (Computing Technology Enterprise affiliation),
- AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders),
- HRCI: (Human Resource Certification Institute),
- PMI (The Undertaking Control Institute),
- ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Packages) and so forth.
Henry Harvin Education, India’s main upskilling training institute has partnered with Dunster Business School which is synonymous with studies excellence, and management capabilities, Henry Harvin specializes in schooling programs that might be practical and industry-aligned. Collectively they exchange the dynamics of education and bring about a balanced learning technique that blends concept and practical software.
2)Florida Institute of Science and Management

Furthermore, the Florida Institute of Science and Management is a leading organization that confers honorary PhD degrees. It recognizes contributions that sell innovation, sustainability, and excellence within the fields of technological know-how, technology, and aviation. These awards showcase the lasting legacy and inspirational impact of the awardees in society.
3)Kennedy University

A distinguished institution in Abu Dhabi, Kennedy University actively awards honorary doctorate degrees, doctorates, and professorships. The university places strong emphasis on an individual’s contributions to academia, business, art, technology, and humanitarian efforts. It grants these honors to people who have made a significant impact and align with the university’s core values, helping to advance its foundational goals. In return, recipients gain greater opportunities to cement their legacy worldwide. Kennedy University’s honorary titles receive global recognition and enhance the influence of those who hold them.
4) United Arab Emirates University

Established approximately 5 years after the creation of the country, United Arab Emirates University, was and has presented honorary doctorate degrees given its inception. The university offers these honorary degrees to the ones who have profoundly impacted expertise, in addition to technological know-how and generation regions at the local and international scene.
5) Zayed University

Named after the founder of the nation, Zayed University is one of the main institutions of higher study in Abu Dhabi. The university prides itself in awarding honorary doctorate degrees to distinguished people in public service and entrepreneurship.
6) Abu Dhabi University

Among the UAE’s largest private universities, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is looking to be the preferred choice of college students in the UAE. One of the region’s top instructional institutions, ranking as one of the top three universities in the UAE, ADU is also devoted to granting honorary doctorate degrees to people who’ve appreciably contributed to many fields.
7) Khalifa University of Science and Technology

The well known Khalifa University of Science and Technology awards honorary doctorate degrees to people who’ve performed terrific work in the fields of science and technology. These awards show how the university wants to honor individuals whose work inspires others, particularly in space science. This honorary degree also encourages students and young people to reflect on considering running in the technology area and getting to know new matters. Khalifa University performs a very crucial function in assisting form the future of technological know-how in the UAE.
8) New York University, Abu Dhabi

New York University Abu Dhabi confers honorary doctorate degrees upon individuals who have made big contributions or have shown extraordinary leadership that matches the university’s values. The people chosen for these levels come from distinct regions. The university chooses them due to their difficult work and achievements, and this indicates how their movements mirror the college’s values. The university generally gives out three to 5 of those honorary levels each year.
9) Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

A branch of Sorbonne University Paris, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, gives honorary doctorate degrees to people who have carried out brilliant matters in distinct regions. The university awards these degrees to people who’ve helped plenty in technological know-how, subculture, and regulations for the general public. These awards show that the college wants to aid wonderful work and unfold new thoughts everywhere in the world.
10) Al Ain University

A respected university in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain University, specializes in doing fantastic work in research and training. The university honors individuals who made important contributions in areas like coaching, healthcare, and business with these awards This displays how the awardees have helped and made a difference in society.
How will you apply or be nominated for an Honorary Doctorate degree?
Honorary doctorate degrees cannot be applied for in the traditional manner. The institutions invite applications for honorary doctoral degrees. University directors, school participants, or committees from outside the university make the nominations. All people who feel that they deserve an honorary doctorate may additionally contact the university’s honorary degree committee or advisory board to express an interest in these awards.
Universities compare each individual’s contribution to the subject and their effect on society. Most significantly, the applicant’s contributions need to be in keeping with the college’s fee. Universities have excessive requirements for awarding an honorary doctoral degree, which requires the candidates to have made massive and lasting effects in their area.
Eligibility standards for Honorary Doctorate Degrees
Well-known, unique universities have the necessities for the eligibility and nomination of honorary doctorate degrees. But, the consensus regarding programs for honorary doctorate degrees is that:
a. Remarkable Contributions:
People considered for this award should have high-quality contributions to any discipline like science, subculture, enterprise, training, or public provider.
b. Management and have an impact on characteristics:
Institutions recognize many honorary doctorate recipients for their leadership at the global level or locally.
c. Philanthropy and Social appropriate:
Individuals who have helped enhance society or are devoted to humanitarian causes are considered for the award.
d. Professional Achievements:
Universities prioritize professional achievements that drive positive change when selecting nominees.
Benefits of Receiving Honorary Doctorates:
- Reputation of Lifetime Expert Work– Universities award honorary doctorate degrees to recognize a lifetime of professional achievements and lasting impact
- Stronger reputation – It increases the individual’s status and popularity, as a result growing their role within their specific area of work.
- Networking opportunities – Awarding ceremonies of honorary doctorate degrees draw excessive-ranking humans in academia, enterprise, and politics and present networking opportunities for the recipient.
- Legacy and thought –An honorary doctorate strengthens the recipient’s legacy and makes the person continually encourage future generations.
- College Connections – The recipient can even able to establish a robust reference to the college, which results in a life-long reference to the awarding group.
Famous people who have been awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees:
Famous people who were awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees by universities across the world include:
Hazza Al-Mansouri | Emirati Astronaut | For his role in helping UAE grow its space programme |
A.R Rahman | Legendary Composer and Singer | For his contributions to music particularly his work in film music and his influence on global music. |
Steven Spielberg | Film Director and Producer | For his contributions to the film industry. |
Bill Gates | Co-founder of Microsoft | For his contributions in global health and technology. |
Ruth Bader Ginsburg | Late U.S. Supreme Court Justice | For her work in gender equality and civil rights. |
Conclusion
Society highly values honrary doctoral degrees which recognize the efforts of individuals in fostering social well-being and advancing the quality of life. Getting an honorary doctorate is one of the highest awards a person can receive. However,t he process may be different at each university, but it shows that the person has made a big, lasting impact and has done something really special.
Recommended Reads
1.Top 8 Honorary Doctorate degrees in Doha
2. Dunster Business School Partners with Henry Harvin UAE
3. How a Doctorate in Business Administration from Dunster Business School transform your career?
4. The Leading Business Schools in Switzerland: Top 10 Picks
FAQS
1. Can a person with an honorary doctorate be addressed as “Dr.”?
Yes , although it would be more appropriate to specifically indicate that the doctorate is honorary.
2. What is the process for awarding honorary doctorate degrees?
Every university has a unique selection process – either through nominations or reviews. However, one cannot apply for honorary doctorate degrees.
3. Can an honorary doctorate degree be revoked by the university?
In the event of misconduct, the awarding universities may revoke an honorary doctorate degree.
4. Can an honorary doctorate degree be applied for by anyone with expertise in a particular field?
Individuals who have made outstanding contributions in a particular field are recognized, therefore these degrees are awarded not just based on skills.
5. Can I mention an honorary doctorate degree in my LinkedIn profile along with my resume?
People can include an honorary doctorate on their LinkedIn profile and resume, although the fact that it is honorary must be mentioned to avoid confusion.
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