DPD Chairman Sultan Najamudin Receives Honorary Doctorate from KMOU, Second Indonesian Figure After Megawati
Chairman of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), Sultan Bahtiar Najamudin, has been awarded an honorary doctorate (Dr HC) in International Regional Studies by Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU). Sultan becomes the second Indonesian figure to receive the same honour after the fifth President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
The awarding ceremony took place on Wednesday (1 April 2026) at Kim Kang-hee Hall, KMOU Library, in Yeongdo-gu District, Busan. The ceremony was led by KMOU President, Prof Dr Ryoo Dong-Keun.
Attending the ceremony were members of the university’s academic community from this leading South Korean maritime specialist institution, including the promoter Prof Dr Kim Soo-il from Busan University of Foreign Studies.
This honorary doctorate from KMOU for Sultan B Najamudin is the second time it has been awarded to an Indonesian figure. Previously, Megawati received the same honour on 19 October 2015.
The Rector or President of KMOU, Prof Dr Ryoo Dong-Keun, stated that there were two major agendas related to the invitation to DPD RI Chairman Sultan B Najamudin on this occasion. First, the conferral of the Dr HC at KMOU campus, and 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 Rector Ryoo Dong-Keun, in a statement received on Wednesday (1 April 2026).
Prof Kim Soo-il explained the reasons for awarding the honorary degree to Sultan B Najamudin. This was due to Sultan’s contributions in promoting international cooperation based on maritime affairs.
“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 archipelagic regions and coastal communities,” he explained.
Wearing a dark blue toga and a blue and golden yellow sash characteristic of KMOU, Sultan delivered his scientific oration. Sultan stated that the sea has a strategic role as a connector of civilisations and the foundation of 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.
Sultan emphasised the importance of international cooperation that is not only oriented towards economic growth, but also environmental sustainability and social justice. This aligns with the direction of global development and Indonesia’s vision towards a green economy and blue economy.
Sultan specifically expressed his respect and gratitude to Korea Maritime and Ocean University for this Dr HC award.
“Thank you to KMOU, an academic institution that has made significant contributions in 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 country. An archipelagic nation, which sooner or later will need maritime science and technology,” he continued.
As is known, Sultan has been actively advocating for strengthening the role of regions in national development. In legislative agendas, this former Deputy Governor of Bengkulu has actively pushed 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.