THE Sultan of Brunei will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree

at the University of Aberdeen today.

The degree is being conferred at a special ceremony in the Mitchell

Hall, Marischal College, in recognition of his promotion of education in

Brunei.

The Sultan flew into Aberdeen last night in the biggest aircraft ever

to land at its airport.

He was greeted by the Lord Lieutentant of Aberdeen, Lord Provost James

Wyness and the Lady Provost, principal of Aberdeen University Professor

Maxwell Irvine, chief executive of Aberdeen City Council Ann Mearns, and

Grampian Chief Constable Dr Ian Oliver.

He was then driven to the Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel where elaborate

arrangements had been made to cater for the man who is reputed to be

worth #25,000m.

Thirty rooms have been taken over by the Sultan, including the whole

of the hotel's 'old house', with his brother, HRH Prince Jefri, given a

floor of his own.

Twenty-four hours earlier, the Sultan's personal chefs flew in to

prepare for his arrival. Other preparations included setting up

satellite links to the Sultan's palace.

Aberdeen University operates a successful exchange system with its

counterpart in Brunei.

The Sultan himself has taken particular interest in encouraging

research in geology and petroleum engineering because of their

importance to the oil industry. He has encouraged many of the links

between Brunei and Aberdeen.

The Sultan is to meet students from his country later today.