Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be awarded a degree by AMU. 

 About Prince Mohammed bin Salman-  

The Saudi Arabian prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, also referred to as MBS, serves as the country’s crown prince, deputy prime minister, and minister of defence. In addition, he oversees the Council of Political and Security Affairs and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. 

Permission from the center to award the Saudi Arabian crown prince an honorary degree for his “exemplary efforts”-  

In “light of his excellent achievements and contribution to global events,” the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has asked the Centre for permission to award Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree. 

According to information provided to a news source, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) requested a list of foreign personalities who have earned honorary degrees from AMU since the institution’s founding after initially receiving the university’s application in September of last year. In October 2021, the university informed the Centre of the names. 

This year’s suggestion was reiterated by the AMU in January. The statement was reiterated as part of a request for Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor to be granted a one-year extension. According to Registrar Abdul Hamid, the request was made in part because elections for the university’s court and executive council, which selects and recommends candidates for the V-position Cs to the President, could not be held because of Covid-19, were unable to be held. 

Mansoor, who was appointed V-C in May 2017, was given a one-year extension “until May 15, 2022, or until the appointment of the next incumbent, whichever is earlier,” according to official records. However, the proposal for the honorary doctorate remains “pending consideration of the Government of India.” 

“The AMU proposes to award a D.Litt. degree (honoris causa) to His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman, crown prince of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in recognition of His Royal Highness’s exceptional contributions and commitment to international affairs. The AMU recommendation to the Centre indicates that this action will further solidify the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s and India’s already cordial and friendly relations. 

“The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi commended the role of AMU in India’s outreach toward developing stronger ties with the Islamic world while speaking as the chief guest at the centennial celebrations programme of AMU on December 22, 2020. The proposal continues, “Since its founding, the University has recognized and honored extraordinary service, commitment, and excellence made for the advancement of humanity. 

The university emphasized that the date and method of conferment can be selected in due course “depending upon the convenience of his Royal Highness” and submitted copies of the proposal to the Ministry of Education and the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia as well. 

The Saudi crown prince, often known as MBS, visited India in February 2019 and had in-depth discussions about enhancing bilateral ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The AMU reminder emphasizes the importance of a D.Litt. to MBS for India’s relations with Saudi Arabia as well as with other West Asian nations like the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Jordan. 

When reached, AMU Vice Chancellor Mansoor stated, “His (the Saudi crown prince’s) visit to AMU would further boost India’s amicable relations with Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries and will augment Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to establish larger geopolitical relationships with the area.”