Turkish varsity confers doctorate degree in journalism on PM Gilani       
ISTANBUL, Turkey, Dec 8 (APP): Turkey’s prestigious Marmara university Wednesday conferred on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani the honorary doctorate degree in Journalism.Marmara University’s Rector Professor Dr. Zafer Gul awarded the degree to Prime Minister Gilani, at a special investiture ceremony attended by academia, intelligentsia and the university students. National anthems of the two countries were also played on the occasion.Gilani after receiving the degree termed it an honour for him and said he was delighted to be included in the list of luminaries who have been awarded honorary doctorates by this great institution.
“My joy at receiving this honour has increased manifold since I came to know that this University is also the alma mater of my brother, Prime Minister Erdogan,” he said.
He said the institution is renowned for its legacy of producing students who have created a prominent niche for themselves in society.
The Prime Minister appreciated that the faculty of economic and administrative sciences is taught in four languages, which makes it the only “multi-lingual” university in Turkey.
Gilani said with an impressive number of 3000 distinguished faculty members and a student body reaching 60,000, Marmara graduates are setting new standards in important fields like social sciences, engineering, medicine and humanities, and are fully equipped to take on the changing dynamics of the modern world.
The Prime Minister said Marmara University is unique in encouraging research and scholarship for its students and faculty alike. Besides imparting quality education, it has enabled an environment of understanding and cooperation between peoples and cultures, he added.
Gilani said knowledge and innovation are the basic tools for progress and development, adding, these tools are best acquired through education.
He said, modern education is pivotal in propelling socio-economic development, adding, it is equally essential to promote enlightenment, tolerance and civic values for harmonious societies and communities.
“Change is the only constant. Rapid change is transforming the world and our daily lives. We must not only adapt to change but also be its proponents”, the Prime Minister remarked.
Gilani said, in Pakistan great importance is attached to education, adding, there is immense scope for establishing close cooperation between the academia and students of Pakistan and Turkey.
“We should establish collaboration between our major universities and Marmara University for exchange of students and faculty”, he stressed.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan-Turkey relations are very special, adding, “the spontaneous mutual love and affection that is so instructive between our peoples is very unique. It cannot be defined in usual terms of interests or experiences.
“It is a true sense of brotherhood. It is, as if we are a single family. We value these very special relations and will take them to even greater heights”, he remarked.
The Prime Minister expressed his deep sense of satisfaction over his current visit to Turkey and said it has been very productive. “I am confident to say that we are well set on the way to translating our goals of shared prosperity and cooperation into concrete reality”, he added.
Referring to the conferment of doctorate degree on him by the university, Gilani said, “this singular honor bestowed upon me this afternoon is also a testament to the strong fraternal bonds between our nations. This people-driven relationship has withstood the tests of time”.
The Prime Minister wished the Marmara University a great future.
Dr. Zafer Gul, Rector of Marmara University said Prime Minister Gilani carried out exemplary reforms in his country and implemented them.
“Due to Mr. Gilani’s contributions for relations between Pakistan and Turkey, the Senate of Marmara university has decided to award Honorary Doctorate in Journalism and regard him as a member of academic world.”
He said, “we would like to further benefit from your experience Mr. Gilani.”
Later a group of Marmara university’s professors and students of Music department played live orchestra to the tunes of Turkish and Pakistani music.