PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by his alma mater, the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in Dehli, India, during the university’s convocation ceremony on Thursday.

Dr. Ali received the Honarary Doctorate from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Chancellor of the University, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, who noted that the institution was specially honoured to confer a doctorate on its alumnus.

“As the chancellor of this university, I reiterate our pride in the fact that our alumnus is holding the highest office of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; you represent a country that has more than special ties with the Republic of India.

“You represent a people whose blood and sweat went to shaping modern Guyana, even as you represent your people. You are also a distinguished inheritor of the vibrant and diverse civilisation ethos of India. The relationship between our people is indeed one of siblings,” Shri Saxena said.

Established in 1998, the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University is among the largest in Delhi, with over 8,000 students on roll. President Ali completed his Master’s Degree in Human Resource Planning Development there in 2003.

While offering brief remarks, Dr. Ali expressed his gratitude to the institution, faculty, and lecturers for devoting of their time and patience in him, and the great work that they invested in helping to craft him into the person that he is today. The President described the Indian education system as one that was not easy, but one that was well worth the while.

“It requires discipline and commitment; it is not the same system that you can operate in a way that you think is best. It’s a very systematic, highly disciplined environment. It’s a very highly disciplined environment that taught us how to be better humans. The education we received was not only academic; it was life-changing. It was preparing great minds to do great things in the humblest of ways,” the President said, adding:

“India has reinforced in me the true meaning of humility, the true meaning of respect for elders, respect for parents, and respect for the society in which we live. This University is a big part of who I am. Make no mistake, regardless of the time difference, I’ve never failed to acknowledge the role this institution has played in my life, and I thank you most graciously.”

During his time at the University, Dr. Ali was among a batch of international students from more than 20 different countries. He also took time to honour them during his remarks.

“We had students from more than 20 countries, and that in itself was an experience. Experiencing in one classroom 20 different cultures, 20 different schools of thought, and 20 different ideological positions. But we learned very quickly, as international students, that we had to work together; we had to live together. I would say today I accept this honour on behalf of all my teachers, lecturers, and friends and students of my batch,” President Ali said.

In closing, President Ali noted that even as the world continues to fight against inequality and injustice, the people of India continue to demonstrate their ability to be a positive change and a positive light in spite of the many challenges it faces.

The President pointed to assistance with COVID-19 vaccines that was extended by India, at a time when small nations were finding it hard to source vaccines.

The President said that in its action during the dire pandemic, India truly demonstrated what it means to be a developed country.

“When the world isolated itself during ‘COVID’, and held on to whatever vaccines it had, with a large population on the same challenge that the rest of the world faces, you turned to the spirit of humanity and you extended to the world whatever little you had. That is what I call a developed, mature society, and a leader in the family of humanity; that is what defines who is a developed country, and who is developing. Not riches and wealth,” Dr. Ali said.