Swraj Paul's University awards honorary doctorate to industrialist Vikram Mathur

Leading Indian industrialist Vikram Mathur was last week awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Westminster, at a ceremony featuring the University's Chancellor Lord Swraj Paul of Marylebone.

Mr Mathur, who is deputy head of Rolls Royce in India and also chief executive officer of his family's infrastructural support company Monad Services India, is a distinguished alumnus of the University, having studied accountancy at what was then the Polytechnic of Central London almost 30 years ago. He is now head of the University's Alumni Association chapter in India. He works to promote Indo-British partnerships, particularly in the oil and gas, power and energy and marine sectors.

During his childhood, Mr Mathur attended the Scindia School in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and is now a governor of the school. Through this link, he helped to arrange an undergraduate scholarship to the University for a scholarship student of the school, including a full-fee waiver and accommodation at International Student House, London, where Vikram stayed as a student.

The University citation to Mr Mathur at the ceremony on November 12 read: "In India, Vikram has given freely of his time and energy on behalf of the University, from advising students on their academic choices and reassuring anxious parents, to arranging access to Governmental and other agencies for the University which could not have been achieved without his assistance. He truly is our champion in India."

Thanking the University for the award, Mr Mathur said that he was "proud to have been a student, and proud to receive this honour. "For 100 years, England has been a Mecca of learning for Indian students, benefiting them with an education that broadens horizons. The world has become very competitive…and the challenges we face cannot be faced alone. Understanding must come from all sides of the globe, and lasting partnerships must be made through international education."