Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan Friday became Dr. Shah Rukh Khan. He was presented an honorary doctorate in arts and culture by Bedfordshire University at a ceremony here for his contribution to culture.

Les Ebdon, vice chancellor of the university, presented the honorary doctorate to Shah Rukh.

Dressed in the traditional scholar's robe, the Indian superstar looked slightly bemused as he walked into the hall in a procession of scholars led by Ebdon.

Shah Rukh was nominated by Routes to Roots, an NGO that works across the SAARC region to bring South Asian people together, for the doctorate "in recognition of his exceptional achievement as a film actor and producer".

Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Mukherjee and Rakesh Gupta of Routes 2 Roots were also present.

Bedfordshire University, whose 29, 000 students include 1, 300 from India, was ranked second in Britain for dance, sixth for journalism and 11th for marketing accounts in a 2008 national survey.