Former president to receive honorary doctorate

University of Indonesia (UI) will confer Saturday an Honorary Doctorate in Technology Philosophy to former president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie for his work toward developing science and technology in the country.

"The university has considered Pak Habibie's role in developing science and technology in Indonesia undoubtedly significant," UI spokesman Vishnu Juwono told The Jakarta Post Friday.

Habibie, a German-trained professor in aerospace engineering, served as the country's president between 1998 and 1999, succeeding Soeharto after the latter's resignation following massive civil unrest.

While active as a researcher in Germany, Habibie conducted many research assignments, producing theories on thermodynamics, construction, and aerodynamics, known as the Habibie Factor, Habibie Theorem, and Habibie Method respectively.

From 1978 to 1998, Habibie, now 74, served as the Minister of Technology and Research in Soeharto's Cabinet. He pushed for a leapfrog strategy of development, which he hoped would bypass the foundational low-skill technology stages to turn Indonesia into an industrialized country.