Kevin Rudd to receive honorary doctorate

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd will receive an honorary doctorate for his contributions to Australia.

He'll be sharing the honour with his businesswoman wife Therese Rein, who's also being recognised with a doctor of laws degree from the Australian National University on Friday.

The pair will receive their awards at separate ceremonies, recognising their contributions to the nation as well as international affairs, business, human rights and philanthropy.

Former Defence Force chief Sir Angus Houston, who has managed the search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 and oversaw the repatriation of victims of the MH17 crash, and former Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, will also receive honorary doctorates from the university this week.