The IUIM Honorary Doctorate Degree is a distinguished accolade in postgraduate education conferred by the university upon a candidate in recognition of exceptional achievements, even without attending the university. Unlike substantive doctorate degrees earned through prescribed educational programs, IUIM awards honorary doctorates to individuals who have made remarkable contributions to academia, their professions, or society at large.

Criteria for IUIM Honorary Doctorate Degree:

IUIM adheres to international best practices in conferring honorary doctorate degrees. In addition to the existing criteria, recipients must also meet the following:

1.     Demonstrated Impact Beyond Professional Boundaries:

Candidates are required to showcase influence and contributions that extend beyond their immediate professional field, positively impacting diverse aspects of society.

2.     Global Recognition:

Recipients must garner international recognition for their accomplishments, reflecting a global impact in their respective fields.

3.     Exemplary Commitment to Ethical Practices:

IUIM actively seeks individuals demonstrating an unwavering commitment to ethical standards, ensuring the continued integrity of both the university and the honorary degree.

4.     Professional Standing:

Successful candidates typically maintain a robust reputation within their respective fields. Honorary doctorate recipients are individuals acknowledged for their recent significant contributions, with many years of impactful career ahead.

5.     Eligibility:

To be eligible for an honorary doctorate degree, candidates must not currently serve as staff members or appointees of the University.

How to Earn IUIM Honorary Doctorate Degree: 

The provision of an honorary doctorate degree is ultimately IUIM's decision, here's a list of steps on how you can improve your chances of getting one: 

1.     Engage in Meaningful Work:

The ideal candidate for the IUIM Honorary Doctorate Degree is expected to have established prominence and gained the respect of leaders within their industry, rendering them eligible for this distinguished accolade. Candidates are further expected to have embarked on impactful career journeys, led significant research initiatives, contributed to scholarship, and actively participated in projects that align with IUIM's mission and values. IUIM may award honorary doctorate degrees to candidates whose lives and work represent the institution's missions and values. Candidate may be able to qualify for this distinction by dedicating their life to bettering society as a whole.

2.     Receive Nomination from the Appropriate Committee:

Establishing prominence in your field is crucial for receiving a nomination. Network and build relationships within IUIM, understanding the entities authorized to make nominations. Nominating rights are held by the president, board members, and departmental heads.

3.     Attend the Award Ceremony:

IUIM typically awards honorary degrees at the same time as traditional students during the university’s award ceremony. IUIM requires recipients of honorary degrees to accept their award in person. At the ceremony, the designated honoree gives a speech to the rest of the graduating class. If a candidate cannot be present, the university may defer the degree. It's also important to note that a candidate usually has a certain amount of time to accept the award. After the period expires, the university needs to receive approval again before it can award the degree.  

4.     List it on Your Resume:

Once you earn an honorary doctorate degree, you can list it on your resume. It's a worthy accomplishment even though it's not a traditional degree, and it can help potential employers or clients understand your commitment to your particular field. You can list this accolade under the "Honors/Awards" section of your resume instead of the "Education" section. Be sure to note that it's an honoris causa to clarify that it's not a traditional substantive degree. 

5.     Maintain Your Integrity to Keep Your Honorary Degree: 

IUIM awards honorary doctorate degrees with the intention that recipients retain them for life. The university may rescind a candidate's degree if it learns that the individual is engaging in immoral, unethical, or criminal behavior. Either the IUIM president or the executive board could approve or make the final decision regarding the revocation of a candidate's degree. 

You can maintain possession of your degree by continuing to be an upstanding professional or citizen. Upholding your integrity involves persisting in the work that led to earning the accolade. Our expectation is that candidates will remain highly active in their respective fields for years after initially receiving their honorary doctorate degrees at IUIM.