EX-PM RECEIVES HONORARY Ph.D IN HUMANITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi was Monday conferred an honorary doctorate in humanities by Universiti
Malaya for his contribution to the country's development.

The university's chancellor, the ruler of northern state of Perak Sultan
Azlan Shah, presented the Ph.D scroll to Abdullah in conjunction with this
year's convocation ceremony of the university, which is also Abdullah's alma
mater.

Among Abdullah's major contributions during his five and a half years as
prime minister were the Islam Hadhari concept, poverty eradication, a faster and
more efficient public service delivery, initiating the economic development
corridors and to human capital development.

In his acceptance speech, Abdullah said human capital development was an
important element in driving the country forward in this era of globalisation.

"Human capital development was my key development strategy to add value to
our people's capabilities as I believe world-class infrastructure must be
matched with a first-class mentality," he said.

On Islam Hadhari, he said it came from his earnest desire to seek religious
guidance which could be shared with all Malaysians.

"Islam Hadhari is the response to the many challenges we face today,
including challenges to relations among people of differenct faiths," he said.

In the effort to improve the living standard of the people, Abdullah said
he had launched the economic development corridors which encompassed the rural
areas in the peninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak.
-- BERNAMA