Aung San Suu Kyi finally gets honorary doctorate

[June 20, 2012]  OXFORD, England (AP) -- It was a long wait, but Aung San Suu Kyi has finally received her honorary degree from Oxford University.

The leader of Myanmar's opposition is being honored Wednesday at the university's Encaenia ceremony, in which it presents honorary degrees to distinguished people.

Suu Kyi, who is making her first visits outside of her native country in 24 years, was awarded the honorary doctorate in civil law in 1993 but was unable to collect it under house arrest in Myanmar.

She studied philosophy, politics and economics at St. Hugh's College in Oxford between 1964 and 1967. After a time working in New York and Bhutan, she lived in Oxford for many years with her late husband, the Tibet scholar Michael Aris, and their sons Alexander and Kim.

Suu Kyi smiled as she received the degree while hundreds applauded. She celebrated her 67th birthday Tuesday.

[Associated Press]

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