An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a University has waived the usual requirements such as study and the passing of examinations. It is usually conferred as a way of honoring a distinguished person’s contribution to a specific field or society in general.

The SUA honorary degree is conferred upon recommendation by the Senate and approval by Council of Sokoine University of Agriculture to a person who, in the opinion of Senate and Council, has rendered distinguished service in the advancement of any branch of learning or has otherwise rendered himself/herself worthy of such a degree through other engagements for the improvement of society.

Since the establishment of SUA as a fully-fledged University in 1984, the degree has only been conferred Twice.

The first recipient, in 1997, was Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, first President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the first Chancellor of Sokoine University of Agriculture.

The second recipient, in 2013, was Prof. Geoffrey Raphael Vehaeli Mmari, first Vice Chancellor of Sokoine University of Agriculture.

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ORATION By Prof. Kallunde Pilly Sibuga, PhD On the Occasion of Conferring an Honorary Degree on PROF. GEOFFREY RAPHAEL VEHAELI MMARI 29th November, 2013 Morogoro, Tanzania.

Acceptance Speech by Prof. Geoffrey Raphael Vehaeli Mmari on the Occasion of His Conferment of Doctor Honoris Causa Degree of the Sokoine University of Agriculture during the 29th Graduation Ceremony, 29th November 2013. Morogoro, Tanzania.