OUM CONFERS HONORARY DOCTORATE TO DR DAISAKU IKEDA

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Open University Malaysia (OUM) on Tuesday
conferred the Honorary Doctor of Arts (Humanities) to President of Soka Gakkai
International (SGI) Dr Daisaku Ikeda in a special convocation held at the Soka
International Friendship Hall, in Tokyo.

According to a statement released here, OUM Chancellor who is the Malaysian
prime minister's wife Jeanne Abdullah conferred the award to Dr Ikeda, who
became the first international recipient of the university's honorary doctorate.


Speaking at the convocation, Jeanne said learning institutions shouldered
the noble responsiblity of creating a society that valued education.

"OUM and SGI share the same sentiments in making education accessible to the
masses to help develop human capital," she said.

OUM President and Vice-Chancellor Prof Anuwar Ali, in his speech, said
that OUM was honoured to confer Dr Ikeda with the honorary doctorate.

"He is a visionary man who believes that education and world peace are
closely linked. Likewise, at OUM, we believe that education spurs socio-economic
development to elevate the living standard of people," he said.

The honorary doctorate was awarded in recognition of Dr Ikeda's outstanding
work in promoting world peace and character development through education, OUM
said.

Prior to this, OUM had conferred honorary doctorates to three individuals,
who are OUM's founding members and former vice-chancellors of Malaysia's leading
universities.

OUM and SGI have a long standing relation through collaborations aimed at
providing learners from both institutions the exposure to the best learning
experience.

In May last year, Jeanne was conferred the award of Highest Honor by Soka
Women's College, Soka University, Japan.
-- BERNAMA