Japanese University Award For Jeanne Abdullah

From Mikhail Raj Abdullah

TOKYO, May 24 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was Saturday conferred the highest honorary award by the renowned Soka Women's College in Tokyo.

The Soka Joshi Tanki Daigaku Saiko A Yosho award is given to people who have made contributions to human development.

Jeanne was conferred the award for her contribution to and support for the development of women in Malaysia.

The award was presented by Katsuhiko Fukushima, the President of the Soka's Women's College. Abdullah, who is on a three-day visit to Japan, was present at the presentation ceremony.

Soka Women's College is part of the Soka University located in Hachioji City, an hour's drive from here.

About 10 female Malaysian students are enrolled there.

In her acceptance speech, Jeanne commended women for proving that they were just as capable as men, saying "women are multi-taskers with an inbuilt ability to juggle many things simultaneously".

"Even when we are faced with many challenges, we persevere and prove that we can be leaders and excel in our chosen fields," said Jeanne.

She said Malaysian women have benefited from increasing access to education and training facilities as evidenced by the improvement in their literacy rates and achievements.

She also noted that women's participation in the labour force has shown an upward trend since independence, as well as in decision-making, in politics and in the economy.

Jeanne received a medal and a pin from Fukushima.

Abdullah concludes his visit to Japan today.

-- BERNAMA

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