Alatas to get honorary degree

SEMARANG: Diponegoro University is to award an honorary doctorate to Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas next week for his outstanding role in boosting Indonesia's image overseas.

The degree will be bestowed when the state university celebrates its 40th anniversary on Oct. 15, rector Muladi told journalists yesterday.

Muladi said Alatas has played an outstanding role in the promotion of world peace and order, especially as far as it concerns the Non-Aligned Movement and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"We cannot deny that Alatas has played a key role in improving Indonesia's role and image," he said.

Alatas is scheduled to present a scientific oration titled Indonesia's Role in Creating the New World Order at the ceremony. (har)