KU mulls honorary PhD for Iranian president during upcoming visit

The University of Karachi is set to convene a syndicate meeting on Saturday following the recommendation of Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori to bestow an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree upon the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, during his forthcoming visit to Pakistan.

The suggestion for Karachi University to confer the honorary PhD upon the Iranian president originated from Sindh Governor Tessori and the Chancellor of Public Universities of Sindh. The University of Karachi has formally received a letter from the Sindh governor outlining this recommendation.

A day prior, the Sindh governor engaged in discussions with the vice chancellor of Karachi university regarding this proposal. Subsequently, upon reception of the official letter, the varsity swiftly arranged an emergency session of its syndicate to deliberate on the matter of granting the honorary PhD to President Raisi.

Also read: Iran president Raisi to visit Pakistan on 22nd

President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Karachi is scheduled in conjunction with his broader trip to Pakistan on April 23. A special convocation ceremony is likely to be hosted at the Governor House Sindh on the same day.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi confirmed the scheduled emergency syndicate meeting for Saturday at 3 pm. The agenda for the meeting will focus solely on the proposed honorary degree, and pending syndicate approval, President Raisi will be presented with the honorary PhD certificate.

The forthcoming visit by Iranian President Raisi holds significant importance, marking him as the first head of state to visit Pakistan following the formation of the new government in the country. Notably, his visit comes shortly after Iran's direct attack on Israel.