Rosmah honoured for work in childhood education - Malaysian Insider

Aug 3, 2009 By Adib Zalkapli

Honoured: Tuanku Mizan presenting Rosmah with the honorary doctorate at UiTM yesterday.

SHAH ALAM, Aug 3--Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor was conferred an honorary doctorate in education by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) for her efforts in improving childhood education in the country.

The wife of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak received the award from the university's chancellor Yang DiPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

In her acceptance speech, Rosmah said she was touched by UiTM's recognition.

"It is still fresh in my mind... almost four years ago I was with several professionals, professors, teacher, medical specialists, artists, police officers, retired government officers and practitioners of early childhood education, together we discussed the importance of early childhood education," said Rosmah.

"Thank God, our views were accepted by Datuk Seri Najib who was then the deputy prime minister, and adopted by the government in the National Early Childhood Education Policy," she added.

Rosmah's contribution to early childhood education includes improving access to improved childhood education, especially in rural areas, through an organisation that she helped found — PERMATA.

"Datin Seri Rosmah's passionate drive to advance early childhood education has moved the country to formalise policies in this direction," said UiTM vice chancellor Tan Sri Ibrahim Abu Shah.

He added that Rosmah's efforts have made Malaysians more aware of the importance of childhood education.

"Today, we are honouring Datin Seri Rosmah for her passionate belief and her tireless efforts in ensuring that our children, our most precious gems, our hope for the future, will be on a much surer path to individual success in school and as able adults in the global economy," said Ibrahim.

"For her vision and noble work, we also honour Datin Seri Rosmah for being the gem that she truly is," he added.

Earlier, Rosmah was welcomed by Najib, Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin and senior academics of the university upon her arrival.