Purdue University has conferred the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy on Wockhardt chairman, Habil Khorakiwala. It is a matter of great pride that Habil Khorakiwala is the first Indian to be awarded this doctorate amongst 41 other doctorates in the 125-year history of Purdue University. This is the highest honour the University bestows upon individuals of exceptional attainment and merit.

The US News & World Report had ranked the Purdue School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences #9 on the list of Best Pharmacy Graduate Schools in 2008. The School has awarded 141 Distinguished Pharmacy Alumni Awards and has granted only 41 individuals from the field of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences with an Honorary Doctorate Degree. Purdue University has the rare distinction of having nearly 20 per cent of all deans of pharmacy schools in the United States as either Purdue alumni or former faculty members.

Habil Khorakiwala is an alumnus of Purdue University and Harvard Business School. He was recently honoured and bestowed by the Purdue University, their prestigious title of ‘Distinguished Alumnus’ for significant contribution to the Profession of Pharmacy.

A keen disciple of ‘Change Management’, Habil Khorakiwala has single-mindedly steered Wockhardt in becoming the first true healthcare group from India. Under his visionary leadership and mentoring, Wockhardt has transformed into India’s leading research-based global healthcare enterprise with relevance in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and Super Speciality Hospitals.

His selfless contribution to the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

In 2007, he became the president of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry). In his capacity as president of FICCI, Habil Khorakiwala met and shared India’s business and economic dynamics with many presidents, Prime Ministers and Heads-of-State of various countries.

Habil Khorakiwala is currently the chairman of the Board of Governors at the Centre for Organisation & Development in Hyderabad, a non-profit scientific and industrial research organisation, and a recognised doctoral research centre.

As president of IDMA (Indian Drug Manufacturers Association), for the very first time in its history, Habil Khorakiwala initiated and developed a 15-year strategic vision for the association. This paved the way for the association proving its mettle with a huge success rate

He was also the Past president of IPA (Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance), which is the industry association of the top 12 Indian Pharmaceutical companies.

Nominated by the Government of India as member to various government organisations

Member of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council set up by Dr Manmohan Singh, prime minister of India

Nominated by the prime minister of India to the Advisory Board of CSIR [Council of Scientific and Industrial Research] in New Delhi

Member of BOT (Board of Trade) instituted by the Government of India under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Nominated by Govt. of India to the National Managing Committee, Indian Red Cross Society

Nominated by the Government of India as member of the Board of Directors of NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research)

For his contribution to Indian business and industry, Habil Khorakiwala has received many prestigious awards, few amongst them are ---

In 2008, the UK Trade & Investment at the India Business Awards 2008 named him the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’. This award was presented for his outstanding contribution in steering his company through a successful internationalisation programme and for transforming it into a global enterprise. It acknowledges and recognises an Indian who has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and business success in the UK

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2004 in the ‘Healthcare and Life Sciences’ category.

The Lifetime Achievement Award of the Pharma Excellence Awards 2006 – an Express Pharma initiative of the Indian Express Group of Newspapers.

He received the Shiromani Vikas Award for his ‘Outstanding and Inspiring Contribution towards National Development’ at the hands of Mother Teresa (1992).