Murthy to be honoured by Australian varsity

Infosys founder chairman N R Narayana Murthy will be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by Australia's prestigious Monash University.

Recognising Murthy as an IT world leader and visionary, Monash University Chancellor Alan Finkel and vice-chancellor professor Ed Byrne will confer the Doctor of Engineering degree honoris causa on the Infosys mentor at a ceremony on the University's Clayton campus in Melbourne this month, an Australian embassy release said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Murthy will also present the inaugural Richard Larkins Oration on the occasion.

The Infosys founder chairman is also the Chair of the Research Advisory Council of The IITB-Monash Research Academy, a joint venture between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Monash University.

Supporting the decision of Monash University, Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese, said, "I congratulate Narayana Murthy on this honour. As Chair of the

IITB-Monash Research Advisory Council, Murthy has been a dedicated and long-time supporter of both Indian and Australian science.

"With the support of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, IITB-Monash Research Academy has become a showcase for collaboration between Australian and Indian Institutions in the field of scientific research and development, and Murthy is well deserving of the recognition conferred with this honorary degree."

According to the Australian embassy release, Murthy said he was honoured to be receiving the Doctorate from Monash University and was pleased to accept the opportunity to present the oration.

"I am also deeply honoured to be giving the inaugural Richard Larkins Oration in Melbourne. I have had a long and pleasant relationship with Australia and its wonderful people.

I have been associated with the investments that Monash University is making in India in the R&D and innovation sector in partnership with IIT Bombay.

"Therefore, to receive this recognition from Monash University, one of Australia's top educational institutions is a privilege for me," Murthy said.