Taiwan university awards eSwatini king honorary degree

Taipei, June 9 (CNA) King Mswati III of eSwatini on Saturday praised Taiwan for its high-quality education as he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by a local university during a graduation ceremony in which his son was one of the graduates.

The king was bestowed with an honorary doctorate in management by the Taipei-based Shih Chien University in recognition of his "remarkable leadership of his country as well as his friendship with the Republic of China (Taiwan)," according to the university's president Michael Chen (陳振貴).

This is the first honorary degree the university has issued in its 60-year history.

In his remark, King Mswati III expressed gratitude for the rare honor while praising Taiwan for placing such importance on higher education.

"The ROC Taiwan is the shining example of investing in education," King Mswati III said in his address during the ceremony held at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

He noted that Taiwan is a country with limited natural resources but has nonetheless managed to become a force to be reckoned with in the international stage.

"Let's all remember this important achievement and never stop learning as education is a life-long process," he noted.

According to the king, currently there are over 250 eSwatini students studying in Taiwan. He expressed gratitude to the country for offering opportunities to his people to pursue first world education.

He said he looked forward to the graduates returning home to make meaningful impact on their country.

According to the king, his country has initiated an agenda of achieving first world status, and education has been placed at the center of its pursuit.

One of the graduates on Saturday was the king's son, Prince Buhlebenkhosi Dlamini, who completed an undergraduate degree at the university's College of Management.

King Mswati III said he was pleased to receive a report that his son has been a "dedicated, humble and obedient student" throughout his four-year study in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the leader of Taiwan's only African ally reiterated his pledge that his country will remain good friends with Taiwan for generations to come.

The southern African country, previously known as Swaziland, is Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in Africa after Burkina Faso switched recognition to China on May 24.

China's foreign ministry said on June 1 that it hoped eSwatini would break ties with Taiwan before early September when Beijing hosts a summit of African leaders.

The king and his delegation arrived in Taiwan on June 6 for a week-long visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries.