During the 32nd UPM Convocation, on 18 October 2008, His Royal Highness, UPM Tuanku Chancellor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah the Sultan of Selangor, gave his blessing for the conferment of Honorary Doctorate in Economics to ASEAN Secretary General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan is one of the most distinguished, well-known and highly respected persons in the Asean region. As a political leader, Surin Pitsuwan has championed the values of democracy and human rights, and innovative solutions to the region’s complex, transnational problems. In 1998, he challenged ASEAN to look beyond its traditional notion of non-intervention. He came up with the idea of “flexible engagement,” a term that has since become a permanent entry in the lexicon of Asian diplomacy. The idea of flexible engagement was to motivate ASEAN not to shy away from commenting and acting collectively on problems that may arise from within the boundaries of one nation-state, but which may threaten regional and international stability and prosperity.
These are extracts of the speeches delivered by Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the ASEAN Secretary General after the conferment of Honorary Doctorate of Economics by UPM.
“Let me relate to you and for the benefit of graduands of Universiti Putra Malaysia. Asean life began with a humble background in the kampong at the foothill of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Southern Thailand. I was born in a pondok, in a madrasah. My great grandfather started that madrasah, my grandfather continued it, my parents took over and right now my mother, 81 years old is still teaching the Quran at that madrasah.1400 young men and women being educated there. I don’t believe it is a unique story, but for the benefit of the graduands, if a young boy with a humble background with so many limitations could make it to Harvard University, and could become the Secretary General of ASEAN, I believe all graduands of Universiti Putra Malaysia can do much more”.
“Let us remember of the historic roles of the university in the study, in the interpretation, and the transmission of the great humanistic traditions of the world.”
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These are extracts of the speeches delivered by Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the ASEAN Secretary General after the conferment of Honorary Doctorate of Economics by UPM.
“Let me relate to you and for the benefit of graduands of Universiti Putra Malaysia. Asean life began with a humble background in the kampong at the foothill of Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Southern Thailand. I was born in a pondok, in a madrasah. My great grandfather started that madrasah, my grandfather continued it, my parents took over and right now my mother, 81 years old is still teaching the Quran at that madrasah.1400 young men and women being educated there. I don’t believe it is a unique story, but for the benefit of the graduands, if a young boy with a humble background with so many limitations could make it to Harvard University, and could become the Secretary General of ASEAN, I believe all graduands of Universiti Putra Malaysia can do much more”.
“Let us remember of the historic roles of the university in the study, in the interpretation, and the transmission of the great humanistic traditions of the world.”
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It reminds me of a quote by Plato - “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.
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