According to Wikipedia, an honorary degree is an academic degree awarded by a university or another degree-granting institution that has waived all the usual requirements.
It is also known by the Latin phrase Honoris Causa (for the sake of honour).
The degree is typically a doctorate and is often conferred to honour distinguished individuals for their contributions to a specific field or to society in general.
European universities began granting degrees Honoris Causa in the 15th century.
The first such degree was awarded in 1478 to Lionel Woodville, Dean of Exeter, brother-in-law of Edward IV and future Bishop of Salisbury.
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These degrees were essentially academic peerages, granting the recipient full privileges at the university— privileges that were much more extensive than those conferred today.
At the same time, universities also conferred degrees on scholars whose career achievements warranted such recognition.
In America, the first honorary degree was an honorary Doctor of Divinity awarded by Harvard University in 1692 to its president, Increase Mather.
Recipients of honorary doctorates do not typically adopt the title ‘doctor’.
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In many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, it is uncommon for an honorary doctor to use the formal title ‘Dr’ regardless of the circumstances surrounding the award.
An early notable exception was Benjamin Franklin, who received honorary doctorates from the University of St Andrews in 1759 and the University of Oxford in 1762 for his scientific achievements and subsequently referred to himself as ‘Doctor Franklin’.
Brandeis University, which awarded its first honorary degrees at its second commencement on June 14 1953, bestows honorary degrees to recognise the exceptional accomplishments or contributions of individuals.
This practice helps to align the university with the values demonstrated through the honouree’s work and achievements, drawing attention to the university as an institution that values and encourages such principles.
The university honours individuals for significant achievements in various fields, including the creative and performing arts, humanities, social sciences, public service, philanthropy, business, social justice, Jewish life, international development and human rights.
Honorary degrees seem to have originated from the practice of granting dispensation from specific academic requirements, a practice as old as the university itself.
For example, on December 4 1997, the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria awarded honorary LLD degrees to President Nelson Mandela and Chief Justice Ishmael Mahomed.
In 2012, the University of Nairobi honoured President Mwai Kibaki for his inspiring leadership and commitment to scholarships, democratic ideals and ensuring opportunities and fair treatment for all, especially the vulnerable members of society.
The University of Nairobi also recognised Kofi Annan for his diplomatic successes and the peace-making paradigm he applied in Kenya.
Recently, Joaquim Chissano University conferred an honorary doctorate in international cooperation and development on President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi.
The university’s vice-registrar, Senior Professor Jose Magode, said that the university had scrutinised Chakwera’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation with other countries.
Similarly, the University of Malawi awarded an honorary PhD in international relations and diplomacy to President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi.
The vice-chancellor of the University of Malawi, Professor Samson Sajidu, expressed pride in awarding the honorary degree to an individual who he said embodies academic excellence, diplomacy and global citizenship.
All in all, honorary degrees need to have an element of academic excellence, not just being awarded for their sake.
