Asian Institute of Technology honours Ratan Tata

Mumbai: The Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok has conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology (Honoris Causa) on Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata Group.

This award was presented to Tata "in recognition of his outstanding contributions to industrial development in India, contributions to Indian society through the Tata Group's
philanthropic trusts, in the fields of science, technology, medicine, social services, rural welfare and the performing arts, and to building better relations and understanding between India and the countries in the Asia-Pacific region"

The citation was awarded at the annual graduation ceremony of the Asian
Institute of Technology. Anand Panyarachun, chairman of the board of trustees and the president of the Asian Institute of Technology among others, attended the event, which was the 100th graduation ceremony of Asian Institute of Technology.

The citation to the award stated, "From a relatively unwieldy conglomerate, Tata has now changed the complexion of the group to make it more nimble-footed and cohesive. Today, Tata Consultancy Services is not just India's but also Asia's largest software services company and India's top software and services exporter. Tata Steel is among the world's lowest cost producers of steel. Tata Motors launched India's first indigenously designed and developed passenger car, the Indica, in a breakthrough development personally overseen by Mr. Tata.

Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok is an international graduate institution of higher learning and boasts of over 1800 students from 49 countries. The honorary degree of Doctor of Technology is its highest recognition.