OUM Confers Honorary Doctorate To Dr Daisaku Ikeda - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 (Bernama)

Open University Malaysia (OUM) today 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 Datin Seri 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 Tan Sri 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.