Why Korea varsity decorated Samia

SEOUL, South Korea: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate, ‘Honoris Causa,’ from Korean Aerospace University (KAU) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the development of Tanzania’s aviation sector and her visionary leadership.

The honour was bestowed to her during a ceremony in Goyang, Gyeonggi in the Republic of Korea on Monday.

The university highlighted President Samia’s significant impact on the growth of the aviation sector and her role in fostering economic cooperation between Tanzania and the Republic of Korea.

President Samia, the first female president of Tanzania, has not only broken gender barriers but has also set a high standard for future generations of leaders.

Her visionary leadership has catalysed economic growth and opened doors for greater international cooperation, particularly between Tanzania, China, and the Republic of Korea.

During the conferral ceremony, Hee Young Hurr, President of KAU, praised President Samia’s dedication to advancing Tanzania’s aviation sector.

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He noted that her efforts in enhancing aviation professional education, improving infrastructure, and fostering collaboration between Tanzania and Republic of Korea was among key reasons that made the university feel she deserves the recognition.

“Your leadership has opened doors for greater economic cooperation and made a significant impact on the global stage,” he said.

Korea Aerospace University, with its 72-year history and strong ties to Korean Air, is at the forefront of aviation education and research.

The university has been instrumental in training the next generation of aviation professionals, including four recent graduates from Tanzania under the ROK-KAU Global Aviation Fellowship programme.

These graduates exemplify the strong bond and collaborative spirit between the two nations. The aviation sector is seen as a cornerstone of future economic growth and development for Tanzania.

President Samia’s commitment to fostering close cooperation with the Republic of Korea in aviation, ICT, and education has been pivotal in driving this vision forward.

Her efforts are expected to enhance the professional development of Tanzanian aviation personnel and strengthen the country’s aviation infrastructure and operations.

In her acceptance speech, President Samia outlined Tanzania’s vision for a dynamic aviation industry, emphasising the importance of education and professional development in achieving this goal. She expressed her gratitude to KAU and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing Tanzania’s aviation sector “Today, we celebrate President Samia’s remarkable achievements and reaffirm our commitment to furthering our partnership,” said President Hurr.

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“We believe that through continued collaboration, we can contribute significantly to the advancement of aviation in Tanzania and beyond.” He further said the honorary doctorate conferred upon President Samia is a symbol of admiration for her achievements and unwavering support for her ongoing efforts.

It serves as a reminder of the strong alliance between Tanzania and the Republic of Korea and their shared commitment to progress and innovation. Tanzania and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic ties in 1992, and this visit is the first by a Tanzanian leader in 18 years.

Dr Samia is on an official visit to the country at the invitation of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Her twoday official visit concluded with a transition to a working visit to attend the Korea-Africa Summit today. Seoul described the meetings as a critical step for the Republic of Korea to enhance strategic cooperation with Africa amid transnational crises.

The Korea-Africa Summit is the largest multilateral summit hosted by President Yoon since his inauguration in May 2022.

Delegations from 48 African countries will attend, excluding six African Union member states with suspended memberships due to internal issues and the disputed territory of Western Sahara.