Canada's world-famous York University has conferred an honorary doctor of laws degree on former Tata group chairman Ratan Tata for his quest for innovation and role in promoting corporate social responsibility.
Tata flew into Toronto to receive the honour bestowed on him at the 2014 spring convocation of York University's Schulich School of Business at the weekend.
A citation read by Professor Dirk Matten said the most inspiring feature of Tata's life and career has been that he has always gone beyond conventional wisdom, trusting his judgement, and worked very hard to turn his own vision into reality. Matten quoted Tata as saying, "I don't believe in taking right decisions; I take decisions and then make them right."
Accepting the honour, Tata told the august gathering, “I just want to tell you how deeply indebted and deeply moved I am to receive this honour that you have bestowed."
Tata said, “I had no idea that this university and this business school had done the various things … moved beyond the shores of Canada to reflect the internationality of the world we live in today."
The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons reminded the graduating 500 students about their responsibilities as they step into what he called “a troubled world.''
Tata told the students, “As you go out into the world, many of you will be leaders of countries and or businesses – just remember that there are millions of people who are less fortunate than you are and that hopefully one of the achievements you will make in your life will be making a difference.''
Praising Tata, Dezso J. Horvath, dean of the Schulich School of Business, said Tata embodied core values and principles taught at his business school – a global mindset, an unbending commitment to excellence, a spirit of innovation and an ingrained belief that business can help improve society.
A man who has become a global icon of corporate social responsibility now fittingly heads the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and other smaller trusts which collectively hold 66% shares in the holding company Tata Sons.
