London: Former president of India A P J Abdul Kalam has been awarded an honorary degree by Scotland's prestigious University of Edinburgh for his contribution to science and technology.
“The award - presented by University Principal and Vice Chancellor Timothy O'Shea - is in recognition of Dr Kalam's outstanding contribution to science and technology, and his commitment to helping transform India into a developed nation by 2020,” the varsity said today.
Kalam, who served as the president of India from 2002 to 2007, received the degree during a dinner held in his honour on May 15.
The 82-year-old, who is regarded as the father of his country's space programme, has in recent years campaigned to highlight the plight of India's rural poor, advocating the use of technology to address social and economic inequalities.
Kalam also delivered the keynote address at the inaugural conference of the University's Edinburgh India Institute, that will help coordinate the work of Edinburgh academics who are working with a wide range of partners across India.
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