M'SIAN KING CONFERRED HONORARY DOCTORATE

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was
Tuesday conferred an honorary doctorate by Queen's University, Belfast,Northern
Ireland, for his support for higher education and for Malaysia's links with the
university over the last 50 years.

Queen's University President and Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Gregson
conferred the doctorate on Tuanku Mizan in a ceremony at Melawati Palace here.

It is the first time in its 160 years history that the university has
conferred an honorary doctorate on a reigning monarch.

The ceremony was the highlight of a week-long visit to Malaysia by Prof
Gregson.

Present were Deputy Higher Education Minister Idris Haron and the
university's alumni including Pasir Salak Member of Parliament Ramli Ngah Talib,
Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and ex-Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik.


Queen's University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of top 20
research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom.

Currently there are more than 120 Malaysian students studying at the
university.

Prof Gregson said this was a truly momentous day for Queen's University
and one that reinforced the special relationship between Malaysia and Northern
Ireland.

"Queen's welcomes the support the King gives to this special relationship
and we are keen to further develop this bond for the mutual benefit of both
countries," he said.
-- BERNAMA