British varsity welcomes Pranab's election as President

London, Jul 25: A leading British University - the University of Wolverhampton - has welcomed the election of veteran politician and one of its honorary graduates Pranab Mukherjee as the new President of India.

Mukherjee, who took oath today as the 13th President of India, received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University at a ceremony in New Delhi in May 2011 which was attended by the University's Chancellor Lord Swraj Paul.

In his congratulatory message, Lord Paul said, "The University is delighted that one of our distinguished honorary graduates, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, has been elected as the next President of India. "The University has strong links to India, and we awarded the honorary degree in recognition of Mr Mukherjee's outstanding service to Indian society and contribution to international affairs.

"This is a great victory for a person who has had a very distinguished career in politics, having taken charge of most of the portfolios in Government and is well respected internationally."

Lord Paul, chairman of the UK-based Caparo Group, also wished him success. An official release from the University said, Mukherjee was the Finance Minister of India and Leader of Lok Sabha, when he received the Honorary Degree from the University. "The University of Wolverhampton will award honorary degrees to other distinguished figures who have made a significant contribution to their field in September," it said.

The University has 23,000 students and 2,500 staffs in the West Midlands and has global operations in India, Mauritius, Malaysia, China, Nigeria, Poland and Cyprus. The University has invested 110 million pounds in the last 10 years on campus and student facilities and have campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Telford and Burton.

PTI