Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Islam received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from his alma mater Aligarh Muslim University.
Islam is the 42nd recipient of the honorary degree awarded by AMU. Other recipients include singer A.R. Rehman (2009), thespian Dilip Kumar (2002) and former President of India Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2008).
The degree was presented by Chancellor Mufaddal Saifuddin.
During his acceptance speech, Islam said that Aligarh provided him with the necessary education and he owes his success to his alma mater. The education and values he received from the university always stayed with him when he explored new avenues in the US, Islam added.
He emphasized that having a dream is important; but to make it come true one needs good education and hard work. He said both academic and spiritual empowerment is necessary to succeed.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this honorary degree. This degree is extra special because it comes from AMU. Aligarh is where my journey began,” said Islam. Talking to the American Bazaar, Islam said that he vividly remembers his student days in the university. “I remember it all too well riding my bike from V.M. Hall to all over the campus,” he said.
Addressing AMU’s 63rd Annual Convocation, Islam said that one should not only aim for doing well but also doing good. He said that giving back is one of saying “thank you.”
Sharing his success trajectory, Islam said that he remembers sitting in the audience of one such convocation exercise at the university. At that time, he was not exactly sure about the requisites of a successful career, he said. He advised students be an optimistic and lifelong learner.
Islam has donated $2 million to build a new School of Management complex at AMU. He laid the foundation stone of the new building, named after him and his wife, Frank and Debbie Islam Department of Management, on February 26. The school is scheduled to commence classes from 2017.