Speaker of the DPD RI Sultan B. Najamudin has been awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa by Korea Maritime & Ocean University (KMOU)

01 April 2026 oleh admin

BUSAN, dpd.go.id – The Speaker of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, has been awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr. HC) in International Regional Studies from Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) in Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The conferment ceremony was conducted with solemnity, presided over by the President of KMOU, Prof. Dr. Ryoo Dong-Keun, at the Kim Kang-hee Hall, KMOU Library, Yeongdo-gu district, Busan. The event was attended by the academic community of South Korea's leading maritime specialist campus, as well as the promoter, Prof. Dr. Kim Soo-il from Busan University of Foreign Studies.

Sultan B. Najamudin is the second Indonesian national figure to receive an Honorary Doctorate from KMOU. Previously, the 5th President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, was awarded the same title—Honorary Doctorate in International Regional Studies—on October 19, 2015.

The President of KMOU, Prof. Dr. Ryoo Dong-Keun, noted that there were two major agendas regarding the invitation of the DPD RI Chairman. First, the Dr. HC inauguration at the KMOU campus. Second, the launching of the Korea–Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Forum in collaboration with the Korea Offshore Plant Service Industry Association at Hanjin Hall (ETRS Center), Busan.

“Cooperation with Indonesia is the main pillar of KMOU's internationalization strategy in leading the global maritime era. Together with the industry, academia, and research, we will build a tangible collaboration model for the sustainable prosperity of both countries,” said Rector Ryoo Dong-Keun.

Prof. Kim Soo-il explained why the honorary degree was bestowed upon Sultan B. Najamudin. “We have followed the journey and commitment of the DPD RI Speaker for a long time—especially in encouraging international cooperation based on maritime affairs and advocating for the development of island regions and coastal communities,” explained Prof. Kim, who is also the former vice chairman of the Korean university presidents' association.

Dressed in a dark blue academic gown with a blue and golden-yellow stole characteristic of KMOU, the senator from Bengkulu delivered his scientific oration. Using philosophical language, Sultan stated that the sea holds a strategic role as a connector of civilizations and the foundation for the future of global cooperation.

“The sea is a unifier of civilizations. It is not merely a geographical space, but a bridge that connects nations through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability,” said Sultan B. Najamudin, who is also the initiator and author of the book Green Democracy.

He emphasized the importance of international cooperation that is not only oriented toward economic growth but also environmental sustainability and social justice. This aligns with the direction of global development and Indonesia’s vision toward a green economy and a blue economy.

Sultan specifically expressed his respect and gratitude to Korea Maritime and Ocean University for the Dr. HC conferment. “Thank you, KMOU, an academic institution that has contributed greatly to encouraging research on the development of maritime economic resource potential for the Republic of Korea and the world,” he said.

“For Indonesia, this is strategic because we are a maritime nation. An archipelagic state that, sooner or later, will require maritime science and technology,” he continued.

As is well known, The Speaker of DPD RI,Sultan has been vigorously fighting to strengthen the role of regions in national development. Regarding the legislative agenda, the former Vice Governor of Bengkulu has been active in pushing for the ratification of the Archipelagic Region Bill (RUU Daerah Kepulauan) as a policy basis that favors island territories, coastal communities, and the optimization of Indonesia’s maritime potential as a primary pillar of the national economy.

This Honorary Doctorate, he said, carries a significant moral responsibility. First, it serves as momentum to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea. Second, it aims to sharpen economic cooperation to be more concrete, implementable, and impactful for regional progress. Third, and perhaps most importantly: it must be sustainable. (*)