Megawati Officially Holds Doctorate Honoris Causa from UNP

Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - The fifth President of Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri officially holds a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the State University of Padang (UNP) West Sumatra on Wednesday (Sept 27).

"The role of Megawati as president is very significant because she has initiated the Law number 20 of 2003 on National Education System," Sufyarma M arsidin, Head of Promoter of Awareness Doctor Degree, stated in Padang on Wednesday.

The awarding of honorary doctoral degrees was made officially through UNP's open senate meeting held at UNP Auditorium.

The law, which was born during Megawati's leadership, has raised the government's attention to education.

"The law also explicitly becomes the implementation of article 31 paragraph (4) of 1945 Constitution, which requires the state to allocate budget for education by 20 percent from the State Budget (APBN) and Regional Budget (APBD)," he said.

In addition, Megawati is also regarded as a figure of statesmanship. One of them was examined from the attack on the DPP office of Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), Diponegoro Street number 58, Central Jakarta, on July 27, 1996.

"At that time, Megawati did not take the decision to retaliate, but handed over the process to law enforcement officers," he said.

While Megawati admitted honorably with her doctorate HC awarded to her.

"I am very enthusiastic, proud, and grateful because the title I received is in the field of Education Politics," she said.

She said UNP has made academic decisions that reopen the horizon that politics and education are two things which can not be separated.

"Politics and education can not be separated, politics produce education system, education influence political life," she said.

Previously, the open senate meeting was attended by hundreds of students and academic community of UNP, as well as invited guests.

Also present were former Vice President Boediono, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly, Head of BIN Budi Gunawan, and a number of key cabinet officials and other former ministers. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika