AUCKLAND : Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was yesterday awarded an honorary doctorate from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
HONOURED: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is awarded an honorary doctorate at the Auckland University of Technology yesterday.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, AUT rector John Maasland expressed his appreciation of Ms Yingluck's "outstanding performance as Thailand's first woman prime minister".
Ms Yingluk said she hoped the award would help boost educational cooperation between Thailand and New Zealand.
She also said she believed her family, friends and all Thais would feel proud of her for being granted such an honour.
New Zealand and Thailand have cooperated well on education for many years, Mr Maasland said, adding that AUT has worked closely with several Thai universities.
Ms Yingluck said that since coming to power in July 2011, she has worked hard to promote democracy and education for young people.
After the award presentation, Ms Yingluck was accompanied by Nikki Kaye, New Zealand's Minister for Food Safety, on a bush walk at the Arataki Visitor Centre.
The eco-tourism attraction was once ruined by poachers but is now a learning centre for forest rehabilitation programmes.