Social activist, Marina Mahathir was today awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at Wawasan Open University's (WoU) 5th convocation ceremony in George Town, Penang.

It was presented by the university's chancellor Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.

An honorary Doctor of Letters degree was also conferred on Prof Tian Belawati, rector of Universitas Terbuka in Indonesia.

In her speech after receiving the award, Marina said she regarded the award as an honour for her and Tian as they were the first female recipients since WoU had given out honorary awards at its convocation.

She said it was nice to know that WoU had not taken too long to recognise women's achievements in their field of endeavour.

"Speaking for myself, this award has particular meaning for me. As someone who only has a first degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex many years ago, I am humbled to be even considered by an academic institution for this honour.

"It is gratifying to know that my lack of academic credentials is no barrier to recognition of the work I have been doing for some 20 years in the field of human rights, particularly women's rights, especially at the intersection of gender, health and law," she added.

Also present at the first session of today's convocation ceremony were WoU pro-chancellor Dr Koh Tsu Koon and vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ho Sinn Chye.

Tian told reporters that she very honoured and blessed to receive the award.

"I feel very honoured, very blessed to get something like this from a  well-known university," she said.  

A total of 400 graduates received their scrolls at the two-day convocation ceremony.

- Bernama