His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Awarded Honorary Degree of Doctor
A ceremony to confer honorary degree of Doctor of Economics upon His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was held from 10:00 a.m. on November 17 at Public Speaking Hall, Mita Campus.
The doctorate was conferred upon His Majesty the King based on his tireless efforts for democracy in the Kingdom of Bhutan and the development of his homeland, together with his accomplishments in spreading the concept of “Gross National Happiness” (GNH) throughout the world, as well as his major contribution to scientific pursuit in the field of sustainable development.
The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Sahoko Kaji of Faculty of Economics, and with the songs by Wagner Society Chorus, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck walked into the hall. Following the reading of the citation for His Majesty the King by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Prof. Shinsuke Nakamura, President Atsushi Seike presented the doctorate to His Majesty the King. President Seike delivered an address, and in response, His Majesty the King showed his appreciation to Keio University and gave a speech.
At His Majesty the King‘s speech, he expressed the importance of rethinking and redefining the true purpose of growth to find a truly sustainable growth. He also mentioned to the students to find wisdom, courage and determination to overcome challenges and grasp opportunities to give you a moral compass towards honorable lives. After the speech, His Majesty the King had words and handshake with Keio students.
His Majesty the King sets great store in preserving Bhutanese traditions, values and communities to bring happiness for the Bhutanese people rather than the political westernization of Bhutan. Thus, determined to serve his people “more as a good human being than as a king”, His Majesty the King aims to bring reassurance to Bhutan’s society and people while maintaining social stability. He also prizes dialogue with the people, and is said to have received 50,000 visitors in the first two years after his coronation. He undertakes national tours to continue his dialog with the people – even traveling on foot in areas where, for purposes of environmental protection, roads have deliberately not been laid.
Photo:Susumu Ishito
