Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad was born December 20, 1925 in Alor Star in the State of Kedah, Malay – at the time under colonization by England. His great industriousness and enthusiasm saw him granted the privilege to study at a government-run, English-language school. After the war he made the decision to walk the path of a medical practitioner, and received a Federal Government Scholarship to study at Singapore’s King Edward VII College of Medicine. After graduating he worked in a general hospital in his hometown of Alor Star in the state of Kedah, and then established his own practice in the same area for the first time, as a Malay after Malay gained independence from England in 1957. As a practicing physician he was brought face-to-face with the extremely poor living conditions of the Malay people living in poverty. His sense of responsibility to improve this situation was what turned him to politics.
Known for having a great deal of compassion for his patients, he became affectionately referred to as “Dr. UMNO”, even after his participation in the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) had finished. In 1964 he ran for parliament and with overwhelming support was elected for the first time to office. From 1974 he held the important post of Minister of Education but in 1976 he advanced to Deputy Prime Minister and from 1978 also doubled as Minister of Trade and Industry. Then, in 1981, he acceded to office as the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia. From that point, through to 2003 when he retired, he maintained this top position for over 20 years and exercised his superb and charismatic leadership qualities. During his service the complex multiethnic country of Malaysia peacefully attained rapid economic growth and the living conditions and prosperity of the citizens improved dramatically. As a result Malaysia was described as the miracle of East Asia and gained a high level of trust by the international community.
The relationship between Malaysia and Japan is a deep one. Not long after becoming Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad proposed the Look East policy, seeking a model for economic growth from Japan and Korea rather than Western Europe, adopting work ethics and managerial philosophies such as discipline, loyalty and diligence for the promotion of group benefit, and putting them to use towards economic development. The result of this was that Malaysia transformed from an exporting country of primary commodities represented by tin and crude rubber, into one of the leading production bases of electrical and electronic equipment in the world. In the process of this, a strong economic relationship was built with Japan through frequent mutual visits of VIPs, direct equity investment and trade and technical cooperation.
He was also friendly towards Japan on a personal level, calling Japan “a friend in time of grievous need” at the time of the Asian Currency Crisis. Based on his friendship, he has also made strict proposals to Japan at times. His philosophic intellect and resplendent individuality have always been an asset, not only to Malaysia, but to the whole of Asia. In 1990 he presented the vision of the EAEG (East Asia Economic Grouping) (later EAEC (East Asian Economic Caucus)) describing the importance of a framework of regional economic cooperation. 15 years later in 2005, the position of East Asia has at last caught up to his ideals. The friendship between Japan and Malaysia is supported by the cultural and student exchange which he fostered. Since 1982 Japan has accepted over 7200 trainees and international students. In addition to consistently accepting numerous international students and government dispatches, Waseda University also maintains Academic Exchange Agreements with the University of Malaya and University Malaysia Sarawak. Waseda University is also participating as vice-chairman in the Japan-Malaysia Technical Institute (JMTI) concept joint project currently being undertaken by the Malaysian and Japanese governments.
As the ‘Father of Contemporary Malaysia” and as one of the greatest politicians in Asia, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad’s achievements are truly remarkable and have left their mark on history.
The President, Chairman, Auditor, Regents and Faculty at Waseda University hereby agree unanimously to confer upon Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad the title of Doctor of Laws.
Vivat universitas scientiarum!
Laudate quem universitas honorabit!
December 3, 2005
Waseda University
