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