Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya(RML) Avadh University in Uttar Pradesh conferred Honorary degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) to Prof. Appa Rao Podile, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, during the 21st convocation held on 7th February 2017. Prof. G.C.R. Jaiswal, Vice-Chancellor of the 42 year-old RML Avadh University, invited Prof. Appa Rao as a special guest for the convocation. Prof. Appa Rao received the honorary degree from His Excellency Sri Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, who is also the Chancellor of RML Avadh University.
The RML Avadh University, in its citation, appreciated the unparalleled and outstanding contributions of Prof. Appa Rao to the nation and the society. His contributions in Plant Sciences in general and Plant-Microbe interactions in particular have been highlighted in the citation. The RML Avadh University took pride in honoring Prof. Appa Rao with the honorary Doctor of Science. The University expressed its gratefulness to Prof. Appa Rao for accepting the honorary degree. The University has also cited Prof. Appa Rao’s role on one hand in national science bodies and on the other the efforts in establishing fruitful international collaborations.
This is the first honorary degree received by Prof. Appa Rao, while he has received on earlier occasions several other awards and fellowships of four national science academies.