1999 Fredericton Encaenia - Ceremony A
El Hassan, Sarvath, HRH Princess
Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
Orator: Patterson, Stephen E.
Citation:
ENCAENIA, MAY, 1999
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS SARVATH EL HASSAN
to be Doctor of Laws
It is our great honour and privilege today to celebrate the strong ties of friendship between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Canada, and to recognize the particular contribution of Her Royal Highness Princess Sarvath. We are honoured by the presence of Prince Hassan, her husband, and one of their daughters, Princess Sumaya, and we welcome them and Princess Sarvath most warmly.
Princess Sarvath lived at one time in Canada, when her father was the Pakistani Ambassador to this country. Her sister continues to live here. But more than this, Princess Sarvath has drawn on her links with Canada to promote and develop educational facilities in Jordan; she is the patron of the Princess Sarvath Community College, founded in 1980, and she has looked to the New Brunswick Community College system for support and guidance. In 1996, she participated in the graduation ceremonies at the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John, and she therefore has knowledge of this province and a strong attachment to it.
One cannot speak of Princess Sarvath's achievements without first acknowledging the unique role that Jordan now plays in the Middle East and, more broadly, among the nations of the world. Under the intelligent and moderate leadership of the late King Hussein, ably assisted by his brother Prince Hassan, Jordan has become a modern nation and a stabilizing force in the once volatile Middle East. In a single generation, the Royal Family has unified the diverse population of a small nation, modernized the country's infrastructure and its way of doing business, and made Jordan a powerful force for peace. Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath have been instrumental in these developments; they have made friends around the world, and they have especially cemented ties with Canada which has responded by working closely with Jordan both in promoting peace and stability in the region and cooperating in international affairs.
Princess Sarvath has brought a wealth of experience and sensitivity to her role. Both of her parents filled ambassadorial positions for Pakistan, her childhood years were spent in several countries besides Canada, and she was educated mainly in Britain. Since her marriage to Prince Hassan, she has actively promoted education in Jordan, working through the Young Muslim Women's Association. Her interests have included not only the community college, but also special education for the mentally challenged and attention to children with learning difficulties. Princess Sarvath founded the Amman Baccalaureate School, a co-educational institution with high standards, which has had an impact on the entire Jordanian educational system. She chairs committees that promote academic excellence, international exchange programs, and opportunities for young artists.
Princess Sarvath's commitment to human betterment has been recognized internationally. She was the 1995 winner of the Women for Peace Award, and several countries have praised her personal contribution to education, the cause of women and the family, and the promotion of Islamic culture and values.
It is no easy task to balance the deep-seated traditions of a diverse people with the demands of the modern world. It takes skill and sensitivity to know how to preserve values and identity, yet promote individual fulfillment and acceptance of differences. Princess Sarvath has used her experience in diplomacy and her deep love and understanding of her people to advance their interests and achieve such equilibrium. To have this most remarkable woman here today is a great pleasure for us. With this honorary degree, we celebrate the ties between her country and ours; and we acknowledge her dedication to peace, her humanitarian achievements, and her devotion to duty.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 3
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS SARVATH EL HASSAN
to be Doctor of Laws
It is our great honour and privilege today to celebrate the strong ties of friendship between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Canada, and to recognize the particular contribution of Her Royal Highness Princess Sarvath. We are honoured by the presence of Prince Hassan, her husband, and one of their daughters, Princess Sumaya, and we welcome them and Princess Sarvath most warmly.
Princess Sarvath lived at one time in Canada, when her father was the Pakistani Ambassador to this country. Her sister continues to live here. But more than this, Princess Sarvath has drawn on her links with Canada to promote and develop educational facilities in Jordan; she is the patron of the Princess Sarvath Community College, founded in 1980, and she has looked to the New Brunswick Community College system for support and guidance. In 1996, she participated in the graduation ceremonies at the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John, and she therefore has knowledge of this province and a strong attachment to it.
One cannot speak of Princess Sarvath's achievements without first acknowledging the unique role that Jordan now plays in the Middle East and, more broadly, among the nations of the world. Under the intelligent and moderate leadership of the late King Hussein, ably assisted by his brother Prince Hassan, Jordan has become a modern nation and a stabilizing force in the once volatile Middle East. In a single generation, the Royal Family has unified the diverse population of a small nation, modernized the country's infrastructure and its way of doing business, and made Jordan a powerful force for peace. Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath have been instrumental in these developments; they have made friends around the world, and they have especially cemented ties with Canada which has responded by working closely with Jordan both in promoting peace and stability in the region and cooperating in international affairs.
Princess Sarvath has brought a wealth of experience and sensitivity to her role. Both of her parents filled ambassadorial positions for Pakistan, her childhood years were spent in several countries besides Canada, and she was educated mainly in Britain. Since her marriage to Prince Hassan, she has actively promoted education in Jordan, working through the Young Muslim Women's Association. Her interests have included not only the community college, but also special education for the mentally challenged and attention to children with learning difficulties. Princess Sarvath founded the Amman Baccalaureate School, a co-educational institution with high standards, which has had an impact on the entire Jordanian educational system. She chairs committees that promote academic excellence, international exchange programs, and opportunities for young artists.
Princess Sarvath's commitment to human betterment has been recognized internationally. She was the 1995 winner of the Women for Peace Award, and several countries have praised her personal contribution to education, the cause of women and the family, and the promotion of Islamic culture and values.
It is no easy task to balance the deep-seated traditions of a diverse people with the demands of the modern world. It takes skill and sensitivity to know how to preserve values and identity, yet promote individual fulfillment and acceptance of differences. Princess Sarvath has used her experience in diplomacy and her deep love and understanding of her people to advance their interests and achieve such equilibrium. To have this most remarkable woman here today is a great pleasure for us. With this honorary degree, we celebrate the ties between her country and ours; and we acknowledge her dedication to peace, her humanitarian achievements, and her devotion to duty.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 3
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