[Apr 9, 2014]

 YU (President Noh Seok-kyun) bestowed an honorary PhD to Myanmar Minister of Environment Conservation and Forestry Win Tun (62)

 YU President Noh Seok-kyun met with Minister Win Tun at the university president office at 10:30 a.m. on the 9th to give an honorary PhD in public administration for his contributions to the development of cooperation projects in forestry between Korea and Myanmar, Saemaul Undong-based international development, and academic development in the public administration sector.

  Minister Win Tun has worked on practicing forest administration for the sustainable development and forest preservation of Myanmar by pursuing economic development in Myanmar via regional development and afforestation that integrates the Saemaul Undong spirit and by strengthening investment cooperation in afforestation with Korea. Moreover, he took the initiative in the founding of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) to play a leading role for joint international response to forestry issues that face Asia such as response to climate change, prevention of desolation of forests, and preservation of bio-diversity.

  Former Minister of the Korea Forest Service Lee Don-gu, Vice-minister Kim Yong-ha and international students from Myanmar attended the presentation ceremony to congratulate Minister Win Tun's acceptance of the honorary PhD.

 YU President Noh Seok-kyun gave a congratulatory address saying, "I hope that Minister Win Tun, who has displayed excellent administrative capacities based on vast experience in international cooperation in the forest sector, will be a bridge for cooperation between Korea and Myanmar."

 Minister Win Tun replied, "I do not think that receiving this honorary PhD from YU is simply from personal achievements. I feel a grave sense of responsibility as an urge to contribute to humanity and the environment." He also added, "The international community must cooperate for the sustainable development of humanity. Korea's experience is helping a lot in the democratization and economic development of Myanmar. The values pursued by Korea's Saemaul Undong and spirit are the key to the sustainable development strategy pursued by Myanmar."

  As the director of the Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE), which is a state-run company, since 1999, Minister Win Tun commands major national forest policies, while also pursuing various international cooperation projects such as constructing cooperation systems with international organizations such as FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), and ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization). He also served as the chairperson of the Myanmar Environmental Preservation Committee and the National Land Survey Committee. He was appointed as the Myanmar Minister of Environment Preservation and Forestry.

 Meanwhile, YU will grant former National Assemblyman Kim Su-han (85) an honorary PhD in law on the 15th. Former National Assemblyman Kim graduated from the YU Department of Law in 1953 and served as a National Assemblyman in the 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 Assembly, being a six-term National Assemblyman and the chair of the 15th National Assembly.