On October 10, 2023, the renowned Jawaharlal Nehru University in India conferred an Honorary Doctorate (Doctorate Honoris Causa) upon the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, making her the first woman to receive such an honour from the university.

President Samia received this honorary doctorate almost a year after the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her contributions to improving education, the economy, democracy, and gender equality in Tanzania.

Established on April 22, 1969, the university was named after India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and has since become one of India’s and the world’s premier higher education institutions. It proudly boasts a legacy of educating several prominent figures in India.

Some of the university’s notable alumni include India’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Finance Minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman. The university has also conferred Honorary Doctorates upon only two other international leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The honorary doctorate was awarded to President Samia in recognition of her efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations between Tanzania and India, particularly in the field of economic diplomacy. Her achievements in promoting development focused on the well-being of Tanzanian people were also considered significant factors.

Additionally, her success in advancing regional cooperation, enhancing international relations, and promoting international collaboration within the United Nations framework contributed to this prestigious recognition.