Should University offer honorary PhD degree to young film stars and sports person even if they can't write a simple essay?

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University offered honorary PhD degree to a 22 years old sport star

BANGALORE: You can call her 'Doctor'. That'll be an option after the Dr MGR University in Chennai decorates tennis star Sania Mirza with a doctorate 

on Thursday. Point, set and match Dr Mirza could provide a nice new spin to the tradition bound lawns of Wimbledon.

"I feel privileged. It's an honour," Sania said. "It's always nice when the hard work you put in gets appreciated and recognized. I'm really looking forward to this."

Sania will break from the pre-season camp in Bangalore and travel to Chennai on Thursday for a specially convened convocation ceremony. Long before the 22-year-old pro held a tennis racket, she oscillated between playing with Barbie dolls and nurturing a dream of becoming a medical doctor.

"I was a very good student early on. I used to average 90 plus," Sania said. "I loved languages, I was good at maths too. I went to regular school till the 12th standard. I got a first class in the 10th and 12th standards despite studying for only a month before my exams."

"I think my first ambition as a kid was to be a doctor. I felt that way for quite a while," she said. "As I got better at tennis, it became difficult for me to devote as much time as I would've liked to my books. I had to make a choice, and it wasn't easy because I enjoyed academics. I was good at it."

The Hyderabadi, who returns to the WTA tour in January following a four-month injury induced lay-off, hopes to complete her education once she's done with tennis.

http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3820652.cms

CHENNAI: "When I started to play tennis, I wanted to be a doctor. I had to choose between tennis and being a doctor and I chose tennis. Now, thanks to MGR University, both my dreams have come true," said tennis star Sania Mirza, when she was conferred with the degree of doctor of letters by MGR Educational and Research Institute University, here on Thursday.

Attired in a dress befitting the occasion, Sania entered the auditorium making the photographers go berserk. She said, "I feel honoured. A special thanks to MGR University."

Responding to the University's wish that she start a tennis academy in Bangalore, Chennai or Hyderabad, Sania said she would certainly consider it.

Sania, now ranked 101, said she is enjoying her training sessions with Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and the others in Bangalore.

"I am training five to six hours a day with an American coach and am enjoying it. We are punishing our bodies. In a way it's relaxing to come here," she said.

Goals for the season

On her goals for the new season Sania, accompanied by her father Imran Mirza, said smiling, "I am just living for the moment. At the moment, I am enjoying the doctorate."

Giving the welcome address, Prof. R.M. Vasagam, Vice-President (Administration), MGR University, said that the University was proud to award the doctorate to Sania for achieving excellence in sports and for being the first woman to be seeded in a Grand Slam event.

A.C. Shanmugam, Chancellor, MGR University, said Sania had been a role model for all the tennis players who were aspiring to reach international standards.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121255701700.htm