Progressive Thinkers Condemn Mangalore University’s Decision to Award Honorary Doctorates to Wealthy Entrepreneurs

Progressive Thinkers Condemn Mangalore University’s Decision to Award Honorary Doctorates to Wealthy Entrepreneurs

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 30, 2025: Progressive thinkers in Mangaluru have strongly condemned Mangalore University’s decision to award honorary doctorates to three wealthy entrepreneurs during its convocation ceremony. Calling it a disgraceful act, they expressed their outrage over the university’s decision.

Mangalore University, which once held a prestigious position in Karnataka’s academic and intellectual circles, has seen a decline in recent years. Previously, the institution was renowned for its distinguished vice-chancellors, eminent professors, historians, and significant research contributions. However, in recent years, allegations of widespread corruption, favoritism toward communal and caste-based forces, and a lack of integrity have tarnished its reputation.

Over the past five to six years, the university has deviated from academic standards and established a damaging trend of awarding honorary doctorates based solely on wealth rather than merit. This practice has made the university appear no different from fraudulent institutions that sell honorary degrees for money. Over the last two years, the university has shamelessly continued this trend by selecting three wealthy businessmen each year for honorary doctorates. Moreover, some recipients of these degrees are not even held in high regard by society.

Last year, when the university awarded honorary doctorates to three businessmen, there was a strong backlash from civil society. Despite the criticism, the university administration has refused to change its approach and has once again followed the same pattern this year. This blatant favoritism toward influential politicians and wealthy entrepreneurs exposes the university’s lack of integrity, according to the statement issued by the progressive thinkers’ forum.

They emphasized that awarding honorary doctorates is not a fundamental duty of the university, nor is it necessary to do so every year. Honorary doctorates should only be conferred on individuals with exceptional achievements, ensuring both meaning and respect for the honor. Selecting three wealthy entrepreneurs from a predetermined list every year not only damages the university’s credibility but also insults those who have spent years conducting research and earning their doctorates through rigorous academic work.

The forum urged Mangalore University to put an end to this unethical practice, revoke honorary doctorates awarded based on financial status, and restore the institution’s integrity.

The Progressive Thinkers’ Forum, Mangaluru, which includes Prof. Narendra Nayak (Former Elected Member, Academic Council, Mangalore University), Vasudeva Uchila (Thinker, Mangaluru), M. Devadas (State Coordinator, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti), Dr. Krishnappa Konchadi (Writer, Mangaluru), Shyamsundar Rao (Thinker), Prabhakar Kapikad (Theater Artist), K. Yadava Shetty (Secretary, Karnataka Farmers’ Association), Eric Lobo (Thinker), Santosh Bajal (District Secretary, DYFI Dakshina Kannada), and Manoj Vamanjoor (Secretary, Samudaya Mangaluru), has demanded immediate corrective action from the university administration.