Bolkiah to receive academic title

Bolkiah to receive academic title

YOGYAKARTA: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam is to
receive on Wednesday an honorary doctorate in culture from Gadjah
Mada University (UGM) during his visit to the sultanate city.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, UGM Rector Sofian Effendi
said that the doctorate was being conferred to the sultan for his
achievement in developing social welfare, education and
infrastructure in his country.

"His Majesty is entitled to the doctorate also because of his
role in developing relations based on the principle of mutual
respect for sovereignty and historical legacy," Sofian said.

The award for the Sultan was proposed by the Indonesian
government last month, Sofian said.

He will be the fifth head of state of a Southeast Asian
country to receive the degree.

Sultan Bolkiah had been honored with a similar degree in
politics from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and in law from
the University of the Philippines in Manila.

The Sultan is expected to deliver an inauguration speech
before Gadjah Mada University's senates and academicians.

Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X is to host a lunch
for the Sultan of Brunei after the ceremony. -- JP