Akshay Kumar has been awarded a Honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada for his outstanding work in film industry and contribution to social work.

The 40-year-old actor is not only the Indian ambassador for the Special Olympics, he has also helped raise money for Trillium Health Care Centre in Mississauga and the Vancouver Children's Hospital, his spokeswoman said in London.

Now Akshay has joined the list of Bollywood personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, Yash Chopra, Shabana Azmi and Shilpa Shetty who were conferred honorary doctorates from foreign universities in the past.

"Wow! This really is one of the most nerve-racking days of my life. My hands are shaking," Akshay said receiving the Doctorate at a ceremony at the University Chapel in Ontario, crammed with his fans.

He said: "I don't think even an Oscar would mean as much as this means to me. Indians believe that our success lies at the feet of our parents. It's not I who should be receiving this award, but my parents."

Paul J Rennick, the President of the University, said: "We take particular pride and pleasure in honouring men and women of achievement and altruism, whose lives manifest the values of integrity, discipline and learning that are at the heart of the University."