No they are not just advertisements, or simply universities wanting to benefit themselves by association with the person in question (which incidentally you might think fits exactly Stephen Fry's appointment to the board of NCFC). In the vast majority of cases they are made to honour lifetime achievement which the university deems equivalent to earning the degree by orthodox academic means. Universities confer them because it is the only way have of doing just that, i.e. honouring someone's lifetime achievement. Of course they are a two way thing, just as Stephen Fry's association with NCFC is a two way thing, there is something beneficial in it for both parties. But a university which confers honorary degrees on the undeserving harms itself rather than benefitting by it. In Dr Allam's case, Hull have of course benefitted from his philanthropy, funding a biosciences research centre and a maritime history library (no university today can survive without supplementing its grant income by fund raising and philanthropic donations of this kind). But to infer that these donations were made to "buy" an honorary degree are completely without any foundation and just cynical petty-mindedness on the part of those who draw that inference. To infer that the award was made purely because of the donations is equally without foundation. The facts are that Dr Allam, a graduate of the university, starting from nothing, has not only turned himself into a high achiever but has made sure that the city of Hull, its university, and the wider local community have shared in his success. Rather than being rubbished he should be applauded and accorded the appreciation he deserves. Hull local paper
The best way to stay out of those scenarios, have no financial value. I personally like the foreign investment, its far more succesful than people make out.
Fair enough and we are all entitled to our opinions. I agree that it CAN be successful, but look at Portsmouth, Blackburn and QPR over the last couple of seasons. Then there is Citeh, ManUre, Chelski etc who have been/continue to be successful. IMO, I'd rather stay pretty much as we are and hopefully improve a little year on year and it's a NO THANKS for me for foreign investment at CR!!!!!
I'll second that. That's why it's so nice knowing we are debt free and moving in the right direction. No one to answer to if it all goes pear shaped, other than the fans!
