Union Minister Veerapa Moily was presented with a “Global Citizen Award” by an university here for his role in transforming Bangalore as a global IT hub during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister.

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), presented the award to the Minister who was chief guest at the university’s graduation ceremony on Thursday.

The award was presented to him by the university’s chairman, Nopadol Gunavibool. “The Institute has created an “AIT Global Citizen Award” to honour prominent individuals and personalities who have contributed towards this cause,” said Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, acting president of AIT.

Reading the citation for honouring the Minister, the Institute’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Sivanappan Kumar remarked that Moilys contribution in promoting India and particularly the city of Bangalore as a global destination for the IT industry has helped the city emerge as the “Silicon Valley of India”.

“His efforts as Chief Minister of Karnataka, has contributed to Bangalore becoming a global city with major international IT companies establishing their offices in the city,” he said.

The AIT Global Citizen Award has been instituted to honour prominent individuals and personalities who have contributed towards “internationality”, said a statement issued by the university.

AIT is known practicing multiculturalism and internationality much before the term acquired prominence, the statement added.