Academic staff are protesting the University of Sydney’s decision to award John Howard an honorary doctorate labelling it is “deeply scandalous and inappropriate”. The former prime minister will receive the doctorate at a graduation ceremony on Friday as an acknowledgment of his achievements including “world-leading gun law reform, leadership in East Timor and contribution to Australia’s economic reform”. The idea that the university would honour him is deeply scandalous and inappropriate.”Reimer said it was politicising the university to also allow Howard to give a speech at the graduation ceremony. A university spokeswoman said its senate had approved Howard’s conferral last December and Bob Hawke would receive an honorary doctorate later in the year. She acknowledged the university was aware of the protest but did not directly address it.

Source: The Guardian September 28, 2016 04:54 UTC