On this day in 1967 and 1993, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan was conferred with two honorary degrees, one each from Peshawar University and University of Wales respectively.
This day in 1967 marked the first of many occasions where His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan was awarded honorary degrees to celebrate and honor his contributions in improving the quality of life for the people around the world.
Center: November 30, 1967: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan addressing the convocation University of Peshawar.
Right: November 30, 1993: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Prince Charles, Chancellor of the University of Wales and other members of the procession ‘”doff” their caps following the award of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws to the Ismaili Imam on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the university. (Image source: Ismaili Canada (March 1994 issue)
Peshawar University
Thursday, November 30th, 1967
His Highness the Aga Khan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by Peshawar University, in recognition of the His Highness’ role in the Muslim world, of his patronage of arts, education and learning and other contributions.
At the Peshawar University convocation in Pakistan, His Highness’ citation read “whether it be the cause of Muslims in Pakistan, so dear to his fore-bearers and to himself, or in the far distant Philippines, his generosity has enhanced all.”
University of Wales
Tuesday, November 30th, 1993
Marking the one hundredth anniversary of its foundation in 1993, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, as Chancellor of the University of Wales, conferred upon His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) for His Highness’s patronage of education and academic research throughout the world.
The citation noted that in honoring His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the University of Wales was paying tribute to “a great spiritual and humanitarian tradition” for his “work that has diminished poverty, unemployment and ignorance.” Noting that “his many institutions established since his accession to the Imamat in 1957 have transformed the quality of life of millions of people in the developing world of Africa and Asia,” the citation continued on to state that those institutions had “a matchless record of creative endeavour among the poorer people of our world.”
Honorary Degrees
Over the last 50 years and since 1967, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan has been awarded 23 honorary degrees from 11 countries – top regional universities representing the US Ivy League, Canadian Group of 13, UK’s Russell Group, and others.
In Pakistan, His Highness has received honorary degrees from:
- University of Peshawar – LL.D. (honoris causa) (1967-11-30)
- University of Sind – LL.D. (honoris causa) (1970-02-06)
In the UK, His Highness has received honorary degrees from:
- University of London – D. Litt. (honoris causa) (1989-10-11)
- University of Wales – LL.D. (honoris causa) (1993-11-30)
- University of Cambridge – Honorary Doctorate of Divinity (2009-06-12)
Matrix of the Constellation of Honors
The Constellation matrix represents the various awards, honorary degrees, honors and tributes His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan has been endowed with over the course of his 59 years Imamat.
Research, Insight & Perspective by A. Maherali
Ismailimail 