NTU president receives honorary doctorate from Korean university

Nanyang Technological University President,
Professor Bertil Andersson

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) President, Professor Bertil Andersson has been awarded a prestigious honorary degree by the Hanyang University in South Korea. This honour recognises Professor Andersson’s research in biochemistry, and for his commitment to education and contributions in the fostering of closer relations between the two universities.

This is Prof Andersson’s fourth honorary doctorate in three years. He was similarly honoured by Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Symbiosis International University (India), and the University of New South Wales in 2011.

The internationally-respected biologist received the Honorary Doctor of Science degree at the Hanyang University’s Seoul campus this morning. The degree was conferred by Hanyang University President Lim Duck-Ho.

In the citation read out at the ceremony, Professor Andersson was recognised for his illustrious career as a plant biochemist of international repute and for his outstanding achievements as a champion of science and engineering. Professor Andersson was also lauded for his instrumental role at NTU, where he introduced institutional changes leading to bold new programmes as well as increased competitive funding for NTU. This has enabled NTU to strengthen its reputation to become the fastest-growing university in the world’s top 50.

Professor Andersson joins an illustrious list of honorary doctorate recipients from Hanyang University that includes Harvard University Professor Howard Gardner, who pioneered the theory of multiple intelligences; His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, an established historian, member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and current ruler of the Sharjah emirate; and Dr Tamás Aján, President of the International Weightlifting Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee who contributed to the successful organisation of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

Commenting on his award, Prof Andersson said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this award by Hanyang University. Hanyang is No. 1 among South Korea’s universities for technology transfer. It is also famous for producing a remarkably high number of chief executive officers and executives at Korea’s top 100 companies. These are commendable achievements that we in NTU and Singapore can emulate.”