Business leader gets honorary doctorate from PIU
By Rosli Abidin Yahya in Manila

Dr Hj Abdul Latiff accepting an honorary doctorate of philosophy 
in Business Management from PIU

A business leader from Brunei Darussalam created history yesterday when he became the fourth foreigner to receive an honorary doctorate from the Philippines Islamic University (PIU), Marawi City, Philippines. Dr Hj Abdul Latiff bin Chuchu, the president of Brunei Malay Entrepreneurs Federation (PPPMB) joined the late Dr Abd Haris Nasution, former chief of Indonesian Army who received similar honorary doctorate in 1970s; Dr Anwar Ibrahim, the former Malaysian deputy prime minister (1985); and Prince Abdullah Omar Najib, a younger brother of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd, the former secretary general of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), who was bestowed in 1989.

Dr Hj Abdul Latiff received the honorary doctor of philosophy in Business Management at a simple ceremony held at Law School, University of the Philippines in Manila. It was held in Manila because of the unstable current turmoil in Mindanao.

The honour was bestowed on him for his continuous involvement in improving economic relations between Mindanao and Brunei Darussalam as well as Mindanao and other countries like

Korea and Japan, said Professor Dr Hassan Chana, a professor at the PIU.

"Records showed that Dr Hj Abdul Latif had been involved in business in Mindanao for more than 20 years and the first Bruneian to do so there. He travelled extensively in Mindanao in the name of trade and PIU decided he deserved to be honoured for his continuous contribution towards the economy of Mindanao.

"He was also amongst the first Malays to improve relations between Brunei Darussalam and Mindanao in culture and religion solidarity. His efforts had been foremost in fostering unity link between Mindanao and Brunei Darussalam as well as Mindanao and other Islamic countries," he said.

As a result of this honour, a library at the PIU will be named after him. The university will also initiate the formation of the Department of Malay Studies as well as a programme curriculum will be developed pertaining to such study.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin