Kolkata: Bharti Enterprises has announced that its Founder and Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, has been awarded a Doctorate in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) by the University of Bath, UK. The honour was conferred during the University’s summer graduation ceremony at the historic Bath Abbey, recognising Mr. Mittal’s exceptional contributions to global business, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
A Global Business Leader and Philanthropist
As a pioneer of India’s telecommunications revolution, Mr. Mittal has played a transformative role in shaping global communications through Bharti Airtel, one of the world’s leading telecom companies. His leadership spans diverse industries — from telecom and digital infrastructure to financial services and space communications — while his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education, have impacted over 3.7 million children.
University of Bath Commendation
Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, stated:
“We are proud to honour Mr. Mittal’s achievements in enterprise, leadership, and service to society. His humanitarian work and message of giving back to society serve as a powerful inspiration for our graduating students. We are delighted to welcome him to our alumni community.”
The University of Bath, ranked among the UK’s top ten universities and globally within the top 10% (QS 2026), is recognised for its research, teaching excellence, and real-world impact.
Mittal’s Response and Vision
On receiving the honour, Sunil Bharti Mittal said:
“I’m honoured to receive this recognition from the University of Bath, an institution known for its intellectual rigour and spirit of enterprise. This moment is especially meaningful due to my family’s close connection with the University. I remain deeply committed to advancing India–UK collaborations across industry and academia.”
Academic and Global Engagements
This recognition marks Mittal’s ninth honorary doctorate and third from a UK institution, following similar honours from the University of Leeds (2009) and Newcastle University (2012).
Mr. Mittal has actively contributed to academic and global dialogues, serving on the boards of leading institutions including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, IIT Bombay, and Plaksha University in India. Internationally, he has held advisory roles at Harvard Business School, the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics, among others.
This recognition also underscores the strengthening ties between India and the UK in the fields of enterprise, innovation, and higher education. Bharti Enterprises continues to drive global partnerships rooted in trust, talent, and transformative impact.
