HABIBIE AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE BY UI

Depok, Jan 30 (ANTARA) - Former President BJ Habibie was given an honorary doctorate in Technological Philosophy by the University of Indonesia (UI) here Saturday.

"I am aware that this award is not only for myself but for all intellectuals," Habibie said on his speech after receiving the academic title at the UI Auditorium here.

UI Rector Gumilar Rusliwa said Habibie was a creative and innovative scientist. Habibie, he added, had often conducted studies on and activities to apply technological philosophy in his field of expertise and related them with science in theoretical or practical ways.

"Habibie is very interested in the humanitarian and ethical aspects of technology," Gumilar said.

Habibie, now 74, received a professorship in aerospace engineering from a German university. From 1978 to 1998, he served as Technology and Research Minister in former President Soeharto's administration. He eventually became Indonesia's third president after Soeharto resigned in 1998 following massive rallies against his presidency.