Madras varsity doctorate for 10 eminent personalities

Chennai, Nov 12 (UNI) Noted industrialist and Director of leading Tamil Daily, B Sivanthi Adityan, film director K Balachander and HCL Technologies founder Shiv Nadar were among ten eminent personalities, conferred with Honorary doctorate by the University of Madras here today.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala conferred the awards at the function held during the 150th convocation of the University of Madras.

Dr Adityan and Mr Balachander were honoured with a D.Litt Degree for their contribution in respective fields while Mr Nadar was awarded a D.Sc degree for his efforts in promoting software technology.

For Dr P Sivandhi Adhithan, the award was the fourth of its kind.

Dr Adityan was conferred with Honorary Doctorate by Madurai Kamaraj, Annamalai and Manonmaniam Sundaranar Universities.

he has been the Sheriff of Madras for two consecutive terms. The Tamil Nadu government recently nominated him as the vice-president of Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority(TNSDA).

Other emininent personalisites including former High Court Judge A K Rajan, noted Neuro Specialist and professor C U Vel Murugan, Umayal Ramanathan, daughter of Allagappa Chettiar, former Vice Chancellor Madras University M Santhappa and Santhalinga Ramasamy Adigal and Professor Subramaniam were also honoured.

Four academics -- M Naganathan, vice-chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission, S Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, the University of Madras and H Devaraj and N Munuswamy, Professors of Zoology at the University of Madras was conferred 'earned' D.Sc Degree for their research in economics, coastal studies, zoology and biochemistry.

A total of 59,019 students, 58,535 in absentia, received their Degree during the convocation Two hundred and ninety candidates were also awarded the PhD Degree. Eighty six academic merit medals were also given.

UNI