PUTRAJAYA: Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister, Dr Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah, was today awarded the Doctor of Management honorary degree by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for his immense contribution to the coordination of haj and umrah.
Tawfiq, who is in Malaysia for a three-day working visit until tomorrow, received the award from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at a ceremony here.
UTM Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail said Tawfiq was chosen for the award because of his huge contribution in coordinating haj and umrah agencies around the world, including transforming their management services, which helped ensure smooth pilgrimage when the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tawfiq was appointed haj and umrah minister by the Saudi government on Oct 15, 2021.
Previously, he was the health minister for five years, during which he also played a crucial role in controlling the spread of Covid-19 .
During his tenure as health minister, various proactive efforts were made to control and contain the spread of Covid-19, including the empowerment of e-health facilities.
Back then, Saudi Arabia became one of the first countries to launch the Covid-19 vaccination campaign.
It was because of Tawfiq's high commitment and leadership in handling the pandemic that there was no report of Covid-19 cases during the haj in 2020.
Ahmad hoped the awarding of the honorary degree to Tawfiq would spur bilateral strategic cooperation between UTM, as well as other Malaysian higher education institutions, and the government of Saudi Arabia.
"It is in developing research, innovation, academic programmes, as well as enriching experience through the sharing of expertise to further elevate and improve the management of haj and umrah," he said.
UTM has awarded honorary degrees to 25 international recipients. -- Bernama