I hear President Mugabe of Zimbabwe got one of his degrees terminated. i want to know why and how?

Question

Who has that power to terminate another person degree and what did Pr. Mugabe do to deserve such treatment. What has he to lose anyway except his pride considering that he is a president and is very old? What was his reaction to this motion and did he accept it or he is rebuking it? which degree was terminated what mearsures are taken if he refuses this act upon him? thank you in anticipation.

Answer 1

They're honorary degrees, and they can always be revoked by the university who awarded them.

"In reaction to human rights violations in Zimbabwe, students at universities from which Mugabe has honorary doctorates have sought to get the degrees revoked. So far, the University of Edinburgh has stripped Mugabe of an honorary degree after years of campaigning from the student union. In addition, the student body at Michigan State University (ASMSU) has unanimously passed a resolution calling for this. The issue is now being considered by the university."

"Robert Mugabe : Criticism of, and opposition to, Mugabe" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mugabe#Criticism_of.2C_and_opposition_to.2C_Mugabe

"It is understood Michigan State University and The University of Massachusetts in the US are also considering stripping degrees from Mugabe."

"Mugabe stripped of degree honour", BBC News : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6724271.stm

Answer 2

He got an honorary degree (doctorate) from the University of Edinburgh, shortly after becoming leader of the government in Zimbabwe.

The University (senate) has now stripped him of the degree.

All graduates of that university are required to defend the reputation of the University "to their dying breath" (I think is the expression).

It is made perfectly clear when the degrees are awarded, that University reserves the right to take back the degree.

Torturing people is unacceptable to the guardians of a liberal institution and that is why he has lost his degree.

It certainly matters to the senior members and other living graduates that the reputation of their University should not be sullied.