Students threaten Curtin boycott: Big-spender Rosmah deserves PhD only for shopping!

An Australian university's decision to award an honorary doctorate to the controversial wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister has sparked an internet backlash.

The award prompted a flood of outraged comments on Curtin University's Facebook page, many claiming the West Australian-based university's reputation had been tarnished.

Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, last Saturday received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters for her contribution to early childhood education in her home country.

'Ashamed now to be a graduate of Curtin'

In Malaysia, Ms Rosmah has a reputation as a big spender.

She reportedly spent $100,000 at one Sydney fashion boutique in January and has been forced to deny reports that she splashed out $US24 million on a diamond ring and another $US200,000 on a designer handbag.

Her online critics said Ms Rosmah was only qualified to spend money and one post appeared to show Curtin University degree torn up in disgust.

"I would agree to give Rosmah a doctorate in shopping only. I am ashamed now to be a graduate of Curtin," one post read.

Encouraged sodomy victim, boycott threatened

Ms Rosmah has also been linked to what were widely viewed as politically motivated sodomy charges against Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, of which he was acquitted last month.

She was alleged to have encouraged Mr Anwar's accuser, a political aide, to claim he had been raped.

A Facebook group has been set up calling on students to boycott Curtin University until the award is revoked.

But the university defended the award in a statement from Vice Chancellor Jeanette Hacket, which was posted on Facebook last night.

Professor Hacket said while the award had attracted criticism the university stood by it.

She said Ms Rosmah had been selected "through a process which engages several committees within the university" and was being recognised for founding and driving thePermata early childhood centres in Malaysia, which "enable children below the age of five to experience quality early learning".

How can Permata be rated as a reason for PhD

Professor Hacket apologised for the university having initially incorrectly referred to Ms Rosmah as Malaysia's First Lady.

In an open letter to the university, one alumnus and Malaysian citizen said the Permata centres had been funded by Malaysian taxpayers.

"This would be the equivalent of Julia Gillard's partner using Australian tax payer's money to set up day cares all over Australia and receives an award from a foreign university for his philanthropic work," the letter said.

- The Age - http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/uni-slammed-over-honorary-doctorate-for-malaysian-pms-wife-20120217-1td56.html