The Maravi Post

WASAN-GU--Jeonju University, one of the South Korea’s leading institutions of high learning on Friday conferred President Joyce Banda with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics during a colourful ceremony that took place at the university campus in Wasan-gu.

The University President, Dr. Kern Koh said the college conferred the doctorate degree to President Banda in recognition of her achievements in furthering global peace, economic reforms in Malawi and furthering the dignity of mankind in the world.

The University recognised that President Banda, holder of Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Columbia and Masters of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University in Canada, has since her ascendancy to Presidency in April last year been instrumental  to the  positive economic  reforms that have happened in Malawi.

“Malawi’s economy was on the brink of collapse and she took the initiative to tighten belts for nation’s economic recovery,” the University authorities said.

In her acceptance speech, President Dr. Joyce Banda said she was deeply honoured and privileged to have been conferred the prestigious award by one of the most reputable centres of academic excellence in South Korea.

She said the doctorate degree was an honour to people of Malawi as a whole.

“My success among other things is attributed to my ability to value and tap into the various skills and abilities of the people that I work with,” Dr. Banda said.

She added: “The award that has been conferred upon me is an honour to all those people that have contributed in one way or the other to my work and success which you have honoured me for.”

The President agreed with the Jeonju University Council that said she indeed took over government at the time the country was in political, governance and economic crisis and she immediately set out her vision to eradicate poverty through economic growth and wealth creation.

“My desire is to see Malawians enjoy their freedom, dignity and sense of pride; and maximise their capacity to realise their social, political and economic empowerment,” she said in packed auditorium.

The president said the doctorate degree she has received could mark the start of long standing relationship between the Jeonju University and Malawi. She appealed to the university to assist Malawi in its human development programme.

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