/indianstartupnews/media/agency_attachments/s1FnhAYONODoxNkoC8xA.png)
Follow Us/indianstartupnews/media/media_files/hZm5cudRpiCBhUoEzFbe.png)
India-born Google CEO Sundar Pichai has received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from his alma mater, IIT Kharagpur.
Pichai took to Instagram to share pictures and wrote, "My parents always hoped I would get my doctorate, I think an honorary one still counts."
"The access to education and technology at IIT put me on a path to Google and helping more people access technology. IIT’s role in technology will only grow in importance with the AI revolution, and I will always be thankful for my time there," Pichai added.
The ceremony, which was held in San Francisco, also recognised Pichai's wife, Anjali Pichai, with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
The event was attended by prominent figures including VK Tewari, Director of IIT Kharagpur, alongside Sundar Pichai's parents and daughter.
While the institute had initially conferred the award in absentia during its 69th Convocation last December, they organised this special ceremony to present it to Pichai in person.
"This is indeed a great honour that IIT-Kharagpur has bestowed on me," Pichai said during the ceremony, visibly moved. "I am truly blessed and humbled to receive this award… Standing with this award in my hands reminds me of the young boy that I was who dreamed to be in the world that I am trying to create with my inventions. IIT-Kharagpur holds a special place in my heart as this was the place where I first met my beloved wife, Anjali, and had beautiful memories of my second home that I grew up in.”
"I look forward to connect with IIT-Kharagpur manifesting greater technological solutions in partnership with Google. KGP ka tempo high hai!” Pichai further said.
"In recognition of his remarkable contribution towards digital transformation, affordable technology and pathbreaking innovations; President Droupadi Murmu, Visitor of the institute, bestowed the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) to Pichai in absentia at the 69th Convocation of IIT-Kharagpur in December last year. However, as Pichai was not present at the annual convocation, the institute therefore had decided to reach out to him at a later date for the same. On July 23, the institute officials held the felicitation programme in San Francisco,” IIT-KGP said in a statement, reported Indian Express.