The Chancellor packnowledged the conferment and SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda received the award on behalf of the SGI President

In recognition of his outstanding contribution and endeavour in constructing world peace and happiness based on culture, the University of Malaya (UM) has conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities on SGI President Ikeda, the founder of Soka University, on August 2, 2010.

The conferment ceremony, taking place at the UM Tunku Canselor Hall, Kuala Lumpur, was held in conjunction with the graduation ceremony for doctorate graduates. Presided by its Chancellor Sultan Azlan Shah, the current Sultan of Perak, the ceremony was also attended by its Pro-Chancellor Crown Prince of Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Siti Norma Yaakob, Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Arshad Ayub, Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr. Ghauth Jasmon, dignitaries, faculty members, students and others totalling 1900 persons.

In his citation, Dr. Ghauth Jasmon said that SGI President Ikeda is a “rare…individual [as a writer, poet laureate, photographer, philosopher, educator and passionate fighter for the cause of peace] who has made significant contributions in so many different important areas that affect the future of humanity…whose actions and philosophy continue to influence thousands and tens of thousands of people around the world.”

Citation by Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr. Ghauth Jasmon	Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda read President Ikeda’s acceptance speech

The Chancellor promptly acknowledged the conferment and SGI Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda received the award on behalf of the SGI President. In his meeting with Mr Hiromasa later, the Chancellor had also reminisced on his dialogue on “The harmony of diversity” with the SGI President in Tokyo in 1993, adding that he remembered vividly the enlightening encounter with the President.

After accepting the award, Vice-President Hiromasa Ikeda read President Ikeda’s acceptance speech. President Ikeda reminisced on his visit to the institution in 1988 and his meetings with the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah in Japan, and concluded his speech with a Malay pantun which carries the meaning that knowledge is the key to success.

One of the participants, Asia-Europe Institute’s Executive Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Md Nasrudin said, “From the words of the SGI President, I feel the importance of deep human ties and world peace.”

UM Tunku Canselor Hall

The conferment ceremony was reported in Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily and New Straits Times and was also made available on webcast in the university’s website.