LONDON: Leading NRI industrialist and philanthropist, Prof Nathu Puri has been honoured with a doctorate degree in engineering by the London South Bank University.

"It is a great honour for me. Coming here in 1966 with very few resources, I could have never dreamt of this day," Puri said after receiving the degree.

Prof Deian Hopkin, Vice Chancellor of the University described Puri as "a successful industrialist and entrepreneur, renowned philanthropist and devoted supporter of education - not to mention Indian cricket".

The doctorate was conferred on Puri, an alumni of the University, in the presence of Lord and Lady Navnit Dholakia, Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP and Home Office Minister, Vernon Coaker MP, the University said on Saturday.

Hailing from Punjab, Puri came to the UK in 1966 to study Air Conditioning.

"Last year Prof Puri was given the inaugural Hindu Forum of Britain Award for Excellence in Community Service. Today, we also acknowledge his service. He is a great role model for our own students, proof that through education and endeavour one can achieve anything but also through philanthropy, return the rewards of that achievement to society," Hopkin said.