An honorary degree is a respected and entirely legitimate form of academic recognition. Conferred as Honoris Causa—meaning “for the sake of honor”—this degree is awarded to distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions in their field or society at large.
This special recognition is reserved for a select group of accomplished professionals, such as yourself. Holding an honorary degree provides a unique opportunity to showcase your lifetime achievements, expertise, and dedication. It symbolizes acknowledgment from an academic institution for your real-world impact, even in the absence of formal study.
While an honorary degree does not carry the same academic standing as a traditional earned degree, it still reflects prestige and honor. For this reason, it is often advised to list it under the awards or honors section of your CV, rather than the education section. This ensures transparency while still recognizing the value and distinction of the title.
Using your honorary title professionally can enhance your personal brand, elevate your public profile, and help amplify the influence of your work.

Honorary Awards Policy Statement
1) The University confers Honorary Awards to:
a. formally and publicly recognize individuals who have made exceptional or distinguished contributions to the University, the broader community, or a specific academic or professional field;
b. enhance the University’s prestige and public reputation; and
c. strengthen and cultivate strategic partnerships and relationships.

2) Honorary Awards are among the highest accolades the University can bestow, intended to acknowledge individuals with outstanding achievements or service of national or international significance.

3) All Honorary Awards are subject to approval by the University Council, following a rigorous nomination and assessment process. This includes a review against established criteria, due diligence, and comprehensive risk assessments to safeguard both the awardee and the University’s interests.

4) Honorary Awards will only be granted to individuals of exceptional standing, in alignment with the University’s values and standards. There is no obligation or expectation that awards will be made in every category or every year.

5) To uphold the integrity of the awards and the reputation of the institution, the University Council reserves the right to revoke an Honorary Award if it determines that the recipient’s continued association with the University could harm its reputation or values.

6) The nomination process is strictly confidential at all stages. Nominees must not be informed of, or consulted about, their nomination at any point until a final decision has been made and formally communicated.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES & CRITERIA FOR CANDIDATE SELECTION –
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
The granting of honorary degrees is a distinguished tradition that allows the University to recognize and celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to academia, public service, the arts, sciences, or broader society. These degrees reflect the values and aspirations of the University and strengthen its identity as a center of excellence, leadership, and public engagement.
Governance Structure and Authority:
The IU the authority to grant honorary degrees, assigning responsibility for their governance to various bodies:
University Senate: Entrusted with the responsibility of establishing procedures and oversight for the nomination and approval process.
Convocation: Holds the ceremonial authority to confer honorary degrees upon candidates approved by the Senate.
Honorary Degrees Committee (as per Senate bylaws): Tasked with encouraging nominations, evaluating proposed candidates, and submitting recommendations to the Senate for final consideration.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:
Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional merit and whose accomplishments reflect the values and vision of the University. Candidates are considered based on their significant and lasting contributions in one or more of the following areas Academic and Scholarly Excellence, Artistic and Cultural Contributions, Public and Community Service, Professional and Philanthropic Achievement, Athletic Distinction, Global or National Impact
The Committee will take the following considerations into account in selecting candidates:
– The level of excellence and eminence the candidate has demonstrated in scholarship, scientific inquiry or artistic endeavors, gaining high and sustained recognition nationally or internationally.
–¹ Exceptional service to humanity—whether through leadership, advocacy, humanitarian work, or community engagement—will be a significant factor in the selection process.
– Consideration will be given to individuals who have made meaningful creative, material, or financial contributions that have significantly benefited the University’s growth, mission, or reputation.
– Candidates who have achieved a remarkable level of athletic accomplishment, with demonstrated integrity and sportsmanship, may also be considered.
– Preference may be given to individuals whose presence at Convocation would serve as an inspiration and motivation to graduating students, embodying the values and aspirations of the University.
– Over time, the Committee will aim to ensure representation across a range of disciplines, professions, and sectors. Consideration will be given to diversity in gender, culture, background, and geographical origin to reflect the inclusive values of the University.
– The Committee may also give special consideration to individuals who may have been historically overlooked due to systemic barriers, social prejudice, or a lack of recognition, despite having made substantial contributions to society or their field.

Ineligibility for Honorary Degree Consideration:
– Current members of the University’s Board of Governors or Senate, Current or recently retired faculty or staff members and Enrolled students of the University.
– Individuals currently holding elected office at any level—municipal, provincial, or federal, including Senators—are not normally eligible.
Clarification:
This exclusion exists to:
a) safeguard the University from any perceived conflict of interest, and
b) prevent any appearance of partisan alignment or political influence.
– Elected officials from outside the country may be considered under the following conditions:
They do not exercise political influence over the University; and
– The University holds no influence over their electorate or jurisdiction.
Individuals who are former holders of elected office or retired federal Senators are eligible for consideration.
Those who have previously received an honorary degree remain fully eligible to run for elected office in the future without restriction.
– Religious leaders are generally not considered, unless their nomination is based primarily on non-religious contributions, such as humanitarian work, academic scholarship, or community service, outside of their role in religious leadership.

PROCEDURE FOR NOMINATIONS

– Any member of the University community or the general public may submit a nomination for an honorary degree. Each nomination must be supported by a minimum of three nominators. Nominators may include letters of nomination and letters of support that clearly articulate the nominee’s accomplishments and impact. Nominators must declare their relationship or familiarity with the nominee, outlining the basis of their knowledge regarding the nominee’s achievements. Immediate family members of the nominee are not permitted to serve as nominators.
– Nominations should be formally addressed to the Senate Honorary Degrees Committee. Submissions must include all required documentation, as outlined in the nomination procedure.
– If any committee member has a personal, professional, or close business relationship with a nominee, this must be disclosed to the Committee.
Such members are not automatically required to recuse themselves from the discussion or vote but may choose to do so, depending on the nature and extent of the conflict. A voluntary recusal is encouraged in cases where participation could be reasonably perceived to compromise impartiality.
passed over.
– Members of the Honorary Degrees Committee are permitted to: Sign a nomination, and/or Submit a letter of support
– if a committee member supports a nomination in any way, they must: Declare a conflict of interest during the committee’s consideration of the nominee
Refrain from voting on that particular nomination to uphold the integrity of the process.

An honorary degree is a respected and entirely legitimate form of academic recognition. Conferred as Honoris Causa—meaning “for the sake of honor”—this degree is awarded to distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions in their field or society at large.
This special recognition is reserved for a select group of accomplished professionals, such as yourself. Holding an honorary degree provides a unique opportunity to showcase your lifetime achievements, expertise, and dedication. It symbolizes acknowledgment from an academic institution for your real-world impact, even in the absence of formal study.
While an honorary degree does not carry the same academic standing as a traditional earned degree, it still reflects prestige and honor. For this reason, it is often advised to list it under the awards or honors section of your CV, rather than the education section. This ensures transparency while still recognizing the value and distinction of the title.
Using your honorary title professionally can enhance your personal brand, elevate your public profile, and help amplify the influence of your work.

DECISIONS:
The Honorary Degrees Committee will consider only complete and fully documented nominations. Upon review, the Committee may take one of the following actions:
– Forward the nominee’s name to the University Senate with a recommendation for the conferral of an honorary degree, in accordance with the degrees authorized under the University’s Bylaws.
– Invite the nominator(s) to provide further documentation or clarification, suggesting the nomination be resubmitted for consideration in a subsequent cycle.
– Determine that the nomination does not meet the required criteria, and reject the submission. A rationale for rejection may be provided to the nominator upon request.
– The University Senate will review the Committee’s recommendations at its next scheduled meeting. Consideration of nominees will occur in camera to preserve confidentiality. Each nomination will be considered and voted on individually.
– In Special Convocation, the Honorary Degrees Committee may make its recommendation to the Executive Committee for approval. The Executive Committee is empowered by Senate’s bylaws to act on Senate’s behalf to approve candidates for honorary degrees in special circumstances. Those approved for the awarding of a degree will be added to a reserve list of approved candidates maintained by the University Registrar.

PUBLICIZING THE NOMINATION AND THE AWARD:
– Nominators must not contact or inform nominees at any stage of the nomination process. All nominations are treated as strictly confidential, regardless of the outcome. The University will not disclose the status or result of individual nominations to nominators or third parties.
– The names of successful candidates, as approved by the Senate (or Executive Committee in special cases), will be made public only at the time of formal announcement for the relevant Convocation. The announcement will be made by the Director of Communications, or their designate, in coordination with the Office of the Registrar and the Chair of the Honorary Degrees Committee.
– The timing and format of the public announcement will be determined in consultation with appropriate University leadership, taking into account strategic communication priorities, ceremonial scheduling, and institutional protocols.
– Once the public announcement has been made, the University may release biographical profiles, achievements, and related materials to celebrate and honor the recipients. No advance notice will be provided to the public, media, or external bodies before the formal release.

AWARDING:
– Honorary degree recipients are encouraged to deliver the Convocation address, but they retain the option to respectfully decline this invitation.
Awards of honorary degrees must be conferred in person; they are not permissible in absentia.
– Honorary degrees will not be conferred posthumously. An exception may be considered if the honor was accepted and arrangements finalized prior to the individual’s passing.
– The accompanying citation for the honorary degree should be concise, limited to a duration of no more than three minutes. In accordance with Council regulations, “the presentation of each honorary degree recipient shall be conducted by the Director or an individual designated by the Director for this purpose.”

REVOKING:
According to the Senate Bylaws, “the Senate has the authority to revoke an honorary degree along with all associated rights and privileges.” The decision to revoke a degree will be made by the Senate based on the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Oversight Committee, following a formal voting process.