Jakarta – Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri was awarded the title of honorary professor in tourism and cultural heritage in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In a statement, the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (IUTCH) announced that the award was presented to Megawati at the IUTCH Silk Road Rectorate Building in Samarkand.
The event also included a graduation ceremony for master’s program students, led by university rector Aziz Abduhakimov.
Abduhakimov, who also serves as Uzbekistan’s minister of tourism and cultural heritage, presented Megawati with the honorary title in the form of a certificate.
“Your outstanding achievements in shaping Indonesia’s modern identity and your contributions to civil law, diplomacy, education, and women’s empowerment have earned you great respect not only in Indonesia but also globally,” Abduhakimov noted in his speech.
He stated that Megawati has emerged as an extraordinary leader known for her intelligence, humility, and willingness to engage in dialogue.
“Your contributions on the global stage extend far beyond politics,” he affirmed.
He highlighted that Megawati served as a keynote speaker at several of the world’s most influential meetings, including the 2016 World Cultural Forum, the UNESCO Memory of the World in 2018, the 8th World Peace Forum in 2019, and the Economic and Climate Change Summit in 2022.
Consequently, IUTCH awarded the honorary professor title to Megawati. Previously, she also received an honorary doctorate from other institutions, including the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan) and the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
“In recognition of your efforts to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Uzbekistan, it is an honor for me to confer upon you the title of IUTCH honorary professor,” Abduhakimov remarked.
