What's the point in an 'honorary' degree?

aliasojo

I genuinely don't understand the logic behind honorary degrees? What is the point?

Jackie Bird (Scottish Journalist & Newsreader) has been awarded one by Glasgow University.

I don't begrudge her it in any way but I don't understand it either.

Can someone enlighten me please?

bestpud

aliasojo wrote: »

I genuinely don't understand the logic behind honorary degrees? What is the point?

Jackie Bird (Scottish Journalist & Newsreader) has been awarded one by Glasgow University.

I don't begrudge her it in any way but I don't understand it either.

Can someone enlighten me please?

I've always wondered that! Looking forward to the replies!

dizziblonde

Something to bore those waiting to get their proper degrees from the same ceremony having to listen to the speeches from the honorary recipients? Can't remember who got one during my degree ceremony but I know they talked for flipping hours!

I had to laugh at my home-town uni who basically doles them out to anyone from the town who's been on the telly or become vaguely famous.

shelley_crow

I always assumed that it's the University's way of networking and pulling in well known names. It never hurts to have famous names on the graduation lists and brochures, even if the honour was given and not earned in the traditional way.

Piggles12345

shelley_crow wrote: »

I always assumed that it's the University's way of networking and pulling in well known names. It never hurts to have famous names on the graduation lists and brochures, even if the honour was given and not earned in the traiditonal way.

^^^
Exactly this.

I find it really very distasteful actually. The practice of elevating these honorary degree people onto the stage in very fine robes and inviting them to give very long speeches about their careers and successes is a bit of a kick in the chops for the hundreds of students in the audience who have studied hard and paid a lot of money for their qualifications. They are then just rolled out like cattle whilst these 'holier than thou' honorary degree people watch. Eugh.

I find it particularly galling when people are given honorary PhDs. Eugh.

Plus, a lot of the people upon whom the honorary degrees are conferred (particularly at Russell Group universities) already have multiple degrees!

Hermia

I've always assumed it was a way for a university to get some publicity! For example, some Bollywood stars have been given honorary degrees by UK universities and the Indian media covers the news stories. There are a lot of middle-class kids in India who go to university in the west so I wonder if the universities see it as a way to get some publicity in India.

VJsmum

i think it is an excuse to get some "motivational speaking" for graduates. i go to a ceremony every year as an academic and the best i ever heard was Tim Smidt from the Eden Project. He could have worn clean jeans tho!

Loubee_2

Wish I knew! I worked very hard for 4 years to finish my PhD, it's a wee bit annoying when it came to the graduation ceremony to see people getting Honorary PhDs for being rich

Piggles12345

Loubee wrote: »

Wish I knew! I worked very hard for 4 years to finish my PhD, it's a wee bit annoying when it came to the graduation ceremony to see people getting Honorary PhDs for being rich

:j:j YES YES YES! :j:j

Lady after my own heart there Loubee- I feel exactly the same!

kingfisherblue

Honorary degrees? Might be nice for those who receive them, but they are an insult to the students who earn their degrees through sheer hard work. I would respect someone more for refusing a degree that they haven't earned, than for accepting this award.

aliasojo

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Might be nice for those who receive them, but they are an insult to the students who earn their degrees through sheer hard work.

I have to say this is my feeling too.