HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Law from King's College London yesterday.

During the conferment ceremony, Lord Duoro, chairman of the Council of King's College London, presented the scroll for the honorary doctorate to His Majesty.

The College Principal, Professor Sir Richard Trainor, began the occasion with a welcoming address that painted His Majesty's background for the audience to appreciate.

In his welcoming address, he stressed the importance that His Majesty has placed on education, as expressed through the opening of two universities and a college university in Brunei.

Professor Sir Trainor noted the many scholarship students from Brunei at King's College.

"Since 2006 the College has welcomed some 25 scholars supported by the (Yayasan) Foundation and His Majesty's Government each year, primarily in medicine and dentistry."

Asked of the selection criteria, Katherine Barnes, international press officer at KCL, said in an email reply, "Honorary degrees of King's College London are awarded in recognition of individuals' conspicuous merit as demonstrated by their outstanding distinction".

As His Majesty is head of state and the executive of a "famously prosperous and successful country, it is particularly appropriate that he should receive an honorary degree", she added.

"He has done so much to promote education at all levels." She explained: "He has not only made it possible for Brunei students to pursue their advanced education abroad, but has also established in Brunei two new universities and a university college to meet the increasing demand for higher education."

In his titah delivered following the conferment, the Sultan said: "It is with great pleasure that I accept the great honour that you have conferred upon me."

King's College conferred the honorary doctorate in recognition of the monarch's role in establishing ties between the institution and Brunei Darussalam.

Universiti Brunei Darussalam and King's College have an ongoing partnership which the monarch said "promises to evolve into a significant milestone" towards achieving the aspirations of more Bruneians to be well-educated and highly skilled.

"I am pleased that we have now expanded collaboration between Universiti Brunei Darussalam and King's College in medicine, dental hygiene and therapy, as well as the study of biodiversity and the environment," His Majesty said.

These areas of study, the Sultan noted, are essential for Bruneians to improve the quality of their lives and to ensure the prosperity of future generations.

"I am confident that our close association with you will be further enhanced in the years to come, by providing Bruneians with education of the highest standards and the opportunity to be involved in leading edge research in areas of mutual interest," the Sultan said.

His Majesty went on to add that "The close and unique relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom has long been established based on our historical ties of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect that go back over a century."

The Sultan noted that the UK remains the "premier destination" for Bruneians to further their quest for knowledge and education.

The monarch also said in his titah that he first attended an event at King's College in January 2005 "to witness my daughter receiving her Masters Degree in Environment and Development".

The conferment ceremony was held at the Strand Campus, King's College.

His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival at the campus by Lord Duoro and Professor Sir Richard Trainor.

The citation was read by Professor Nairn Wilson, deputy vice principal (Health) at King's College.

Present at the conferment ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul 'Azim.

Also present at the ceremony were Speaker of the Legislative Council Pehin Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Isa Pehin Datu Perdana Manteri Dato Laila Utama Hj Awg Ibrahim, Minister of Education Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Energy in the Prime Minister's Office Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Awg Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar and Brunei's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom Awg Hj Mohd Aziyan Abdullah. The Brunei Times
 

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