Dropout Gates to get Harvard degree

MR BILL Gates is finally getting his Harvard degree, 32 years after he dropped out of the university on his path to becoming the world's wealthiest person.

Mr Gates, the billionaire co- founder of Microsoft Corp, will receive an honorary degree in June when he delivers the university's 356th commencement address.

He went to Harvard in 1973 but left in 1975 to devote his time to developing Microsoft, which he founded that year with childhood friend Paul Allen.

'I am very pleased that the Harvard community will have the opportunity to hear from Bill Gates on June 7,' Harvard Alumni Association president Paul Finnegan said.

'His contributions to the world of business and technology, and the great example he has set through his far-reaching philanthropy, will rightfully put him on centrestage in Harvard Yard.'

Mr Gates helped turn Washington-based Microsoft into the world's largest maker of computer software, with annual revenues in excess of US$44 billion (S$67 billion) during the 2006 fiscal year.

Mr Gates and his wife Melinda created the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, which is now the world's largest philanthropic foundation with an endowment of about US$33 billion.

ASSOCIATED PRESS