What is an Honorary Doctorate(Honoris Causa)?

Picture this. You are reminiscing about your memories from college or school with your classmates at a formal graduation or convocation ceremony, an informal alumni meeting, or a reunion party. At the end of the event or prior to it, everybody is introduced individually on the stage. But something grabs your attention, the mention of doctor as a title when calling your classmate or even you. However, here is the twist: you or your friend being called a doctor among the crowd is not a healthcare specialist, nor have they even completed a PhD. How is it even possible? Can someone able to be called a doctor even when they have never done a PhD or literally an doctor? Well, the answer is Yes! You can. When they are an awardee of an Honorary Doctorate title.

But this title is much more than something you can get through your academics or special studies. This is the ultimate recognition that makes you stand out with absolute honor, prestige, and influence. Titles can start interesting conversations or command respect, but only a few of them carry the power and intrigue of an Honorary doctorate. This is an ultimate acknowledgement that goes beyond the typical classroom, grades, and exams. Often awarded to the people who have gone beyond their limits and expectations. Curious about this title? In this blog, you will know about this grand title and the purpose it serves till today.

What Exactly is the Term Honorary Doctorate?

The topmost recognition a person can receive for their contribution to a particular field or their biggest positive impacts in society is an Honorary Doctorate. It can be the field of arts, science, humanities, etc. Unlike typical doctorate degrees, this one skips the classroom, thesis, studies, and directly recognises the person’s outstanding contribution in their field or to society.

Honoris Causa is the Latin phrase from which today’s title, honorary doctorate derived. This prestigious term means “ for the sake of honor.” In addition to influential public figures, dedicated artists, innovative entrepreneurs, genius scientists, and impactful philanthropists, this title or degree is given to recipients who have dedicated themselves extraordinarily to a particular field.

In one’s curriculum vitae(CV), the honorary doctorate is listed under the “Awards” section. Unlike the academic doctor title that goes under the education section, this mainly serves as an award and honor to the person. This is a privilege awarded to individuals based on their service, rather than their academic achievements. This is mentioned had h.c, Dr.(h.c), honoris causa, honorary or Dr.Hons near the doctor title to differentiate from the regular academic title. Example: Doctorate in Arts (Hon.Causa).

Where did it all begin? The History of the title Honorary Doctorate:

Dated back to fifteen century in Europe. This honoris causa was presented to Lionel Woodville in the year 1478 as the first ever in history. He was the bishop of Salisbury. And the presenter is none other the one of the prestigious institutions, Oxford University. This is the beginning of an idea that soon spread across the globe about the long line of tradition in acknowledging great contributors.

In this age, the Oxford’s annual Encaenia ceremony presents this award. This ceremony is popular for its elegance and its contributions to the list of legendary icons. From authors to scientists and politicians. Many famous icons, Stephen Hawking, Malala Yousafzai, and Bill Clinton, were also awardees of this honoris causa. Oxford University dedicates its focus on integrity and acknowledging across all its respective icons.

Many institutions, like Harvard University, adopted the tradition in the 17th century. Certainly, it became a way to acknowledge excellence without requiring academic records.

Harvard University has awarded honoris causa to many global icons like Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, and J.K. Rowling at present. This process for selection is famously strict and acknowledges global influence and service.

The Purpose of an Honorary Doctorate

Acknowledgement: Obviously, recognizing the ultimate contributors to society and the world who are implementing grades is not everything.

Role models: These people who receive an honorary doctorate will inspire the youngsters. In conclusion, highlighting many success stories of real life.

Institutional reputation: Giving an honorary degree to a famous, influential personality elevates the university’s prestige and visibility.

Strengthen relationships: Similarly, associating with prominent figures in turn helps with the university’s funds, partnerships, and advocacy.

Encouraging vision: Awarding a prestigious personality who aligns with the university motto will spread the university’s vision.

If you are an impact creator who serves the public and possesses other known accolades, awards, or credits, then you can apply for this honor degree at institutions that present this title in different modes, both online and offline. Let’s look at some institutions that offer this award online.

Institutions That Offer Honorary Doctorates

What are the other famous institutions that offer this prestigious award?

The Dunster Business School and Florida Institute of Management and Science offer this valuable degree to acknowledge any common human with great dedication and resolve who impacts society for the greater good, evidently.

Dunster Business School:

Vision of the Institution:

Above all, this accredited institution is one such famous place that offers an honorary degree to individuals who contribute to business and management. The Dunster Business School is known for its vision to guarantee that students who dream of being exceptional in business. They curate a well-versed curriculum that is customised to the person specifically. They are on a mission to recognise every talent across the world.

And awarding honoris causa to exceptional individuals is one such method of this institution for honoring talents globally with the help of the Dunster Honorary Board Members.

Florida Institute of Science And Management

Vision of the institution

FLISM Institute solely devotes itself to a mission to give tribute to science and management students with opportunities in education and research. Further, FLISM aims to guide individuals into quality professionals by combining industry collaboration, real-world problem solving, and academics. This, in turn, makes an impact at a global scale in areas of professionalism, innovation, and ethics, evidently.

An honorary doctorate certainly is one of the top forms of recognition and awards this institute offers, by Flism Panel Members. Aligning themselves to their motto to guide and recognize the world of individuals who aim to provide and solve problems with ones leadership skills to society.

Now,

We know about the history of this honorary degree, the purpose it serves, and certainly the prestigious institutions that dedicate themselves to identifying people who make great changes to the world in this blog. Wouldn’t you all be curious about how you would get this honorary doctorate? To get this global recognition honoris causa for your contribution to society, and also to hold a symbol of lifetime achievement with you to add credibility to yourself, you don’t need to go through any tedious journey or hassle that makes you sweat. Attaining this one such prestigious honor causa is a simple procedure.

Followed Procedure:

1. Nomination:

Firstly, nominate yourself by applying the nomination form as a potential candidate for an honorary degree.

2. Evaluation:

Secondly, faculty staff, renowned alumni, or even public figures evaluate your contributions and work.

3. Ceremony:

Lastly, the institution awards honoris causa to individuals in a ceremony or convocation, recognizing and showcasing their services.

Conclusion:

The world today, with over 7 billion people getting recognition, often comes after years of hard work in an institution with a thesis and exams. However, this is where honorary doctorates stand apart as an acknowledgement of exceptional people who impact society. And attaining this award from a prestigious university is an ultimate tribute. It makes a statement that creativity, art, service, and vision are to be celebrated on the honorable stages. because they deserve it.

These awards don’t just put the candidate in a spotlight, but also the act of service towards society or their fellow people. This upholds and inspires the future generation to get into make greater impacts on the world. As for us, we can look back at this title as a symbol of an everlasting change we made in the environment. So next time you witness an honor title of a person or in the news, see it as your sign to inspire, to innovate, and leave a legacy worth honoring.

FAQs

1. Is Hon.Dr is same as PhD?

No, unlike Hon.Dr, which received as an award a traditional PhD attained through academic work.

2. What are the common types of honorary doctorates?

Doctorates in the humanities, arts, law, and science are some of the common types that exist.

3. Who selects the candidates for Hon.Dr?

The university invites a group of reputed people, in addition to experienced faculty and renowned alumni, to select the right recipients.

4. Can institutions award Hon.Dr to regular people?

Yes, absolutely, if you are a dedicated positive impact creator, then you can be a candidate for this award.

5. Where did the tradition of the honorary doctorate start?

Oxford University is the first university to pay tribute to individuals in the 15th century.