Top 10 controversial honorary degrees
11th July 2012
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Universities are entitled to hand out degrees up to a master’s level to those who they consider to be an example to society. Read on for our list of ten dubious degree-holders in the public sphere.
1. The dictator... Robert Mugabe
The President of Zimbabwe received three honorary degrees, including one from Edinburgh University, for his role in the country achieving independence in 1979 and ending white rule in the first open elections. Unfortunately, since then accusations towards the president have included ethnic cleansing and collapsing his country’s economy. His honorary degrees have now been revoked.
2. The businessman... Sultan Ahmed Ben Sulayem
Middlesex University's Dubai divison awarded this influential businessman an honorary degree in 2008 for his role in the economic development of the UAE and the Arab World. A year later, he was struggling to pay off $80 billion of debt linked to Dubai’s debt crisis. Since then, his billionaire rally-driving son Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also received his doctorate.
3. The kids' TV actor... Mr Tumble
CBeebies actor Justin Fletcher received his degree from the University of Reading for his contributions to children’s television and charities. Apparently he was 'thrilled to be honoured'.
4. The Communist (Deputy) Leader... Elena Ceausescu
The Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (and wife of the country's last Communist leader) was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Manilla in 1975 - despite her husband's leadership being widely seen as brutal and oppressive.
5. The actor... Orlando Bloom

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