Chairman of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council Sultan B Najamudin Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Korea Maritime & Ocean University
Chairman of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Dr. HC) in International Regional Studies by Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) in Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
The conferral ceremony was conducted solemnly, led by KMOU President Prof. Dr. Ryoo Dong-Keun, at Kim Kang-hee Hall in the KMOU Library, Yeongdo-gu district, Busan. It was attended by the entire academic community of this leading South Korean maritime specialist university. The promoter, Prof. Dr. Kim Soo-il from Busan University of Foreign Studies, was also present.
This KMOU Honorary Doctorate for Sultan B Najamudin marks the second time for an Indonesian national figure. Previously, Indonesia’s fifth President Megawati Soekarno Putri received the same title, Honorary Doctorate in International Regional Studies, on 19 October 2015.
KMOU President Prof. Dr. Ryoo Dong-Keun stated that there were two major agendas related to the invitation to DPD RI Chairman Sultan B Najamudin. First, the conferral of the Dr. HC at KMOU. Second, the launch of the Korea-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Forum, together with the Korea Offshore Plant Service Industry Association, at Hanjin Hall (ETRS Center), Busan.
“Cooperation with Indonesia is a main pillar of KMOU’s internationalisation strategy in leading the global maritime era. Together with industry, academics, and research, we will build a real collaboration model for the sustainable prosperity of both countries,” said President Ryoo Dong-Keun in an official statement received on Wednesday (1/4).
Prof. Kim Soo-il explained why the honorary degree was given to Sultan B Najamudin. “We have followed the career and commitment of the DPD RI Chairman for a long time. Especially in promoting international cooperation based on maritime affairs, advocating for the development of island regions and coastal communities,” explained Prof. Kim, who is also a former vice-chairman of the Korean rectors’ forum association.
Wearing a dark blue toga and a blue and golden yellow sash characteristic of KMOU, the senator from Bengkulu delivered his academic oration. In a philosophical tone, Sultan stated that the sea has a strategic role as a connector of civilisations and a foundation for future global cooperation.
“The sea is a unifier of civilisations. The sea is not merely a geographical space, but a bridge that connects nations through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability,” said Sultan B Najamudin, the initiator and author of the book Green Democracy.
He emphasised the importance of international cooperation that is not only oriented towards economic growth, but also environmental sustainability and social justice. This aligns with global development directions and Indonesia’s vision towards a green economy and blue economy.
Sultan specifically expressed respect and gratitude to Korea Maritime and Ocean University for this Dr. HC conferral. “Thank you to KMOU, an academic institution that has made significant contributions to promoting research and development of marine economic resource potential for the Republic of Korea and the world,” he said.
“For Indonesia, this is strategic, because we are a maritime nation. An archipelagic country that sooner or later will need maritime science and technology,” he continued.
As is known, DPD RI Chairman Sultan is actively advocating for strengthening the role of regions in national development. In the legislative agenda, this former deputy governor of Bengkulu is actively pushing for the passage of the Archipelagic Regions Bill (RUU) as a policy basis that favours archipelagic areas, coastal communities, and the optimisation of Indonesia’s marine potential as one of the main pillars of the national economy.
This honorary doctorate, he said, carries a not insignificant moral responsibility. First, it is a good momentum to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea. Second, to sharpen economic cooperation to be more concrete, implementative, and impactful on regional progress. Third, which must not be forgotten: sustainability.