Chanda Kochhar gets honorary degree from Canadian university

Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO, ICICI Bank received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Carleton University, Canada.  

The University said it conferred the honour in recognition of her pioneering work in the financial sector, effective leadership in a time of economic crisis and support for engaged business practices.  

Speaking at the ceremony, Kochhar said, “It is an honour to receive this recognition and a symbol of the times we are living in today, where east and west are coming together, relations are strengthening between Canada and India, and there’s greater recognition of the contribution Indian Canadians have made to the Canadian economy."

"It is recognition of the growing linkages and vast potential for cooperation between Canada and India.”  

Some of the previous recipients of this honorary degree include Kofi Anan, former UN Secretary General; Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union; Aung Sang Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Gerhard Herzberg, Nobel Laureate in Physics.  

Kochhar added, “As I see the list of past recipients of this honour, I feel inspired to be counted as one among them."

"It is a distinguished and varied list, reflecting not only the wide range of achievements of these individuals, but also this University’s commitment to recognise and honour excellence across every area of human endeavour.”  

She was conferred the honorary degree at a special ceremony held at the University campus in Ottawa, Canada. The ceremony was graced by approximately 150 distinguished guests including high profile business and community leaders of Canada, senior officials and faculty members of CarletonUniversity, as well as senior executives of ICICI Bank.