There is an ongoing debate about whether education or practical experience matters more in politics. While some leaders succeed without advanced degrees, many voters value higher education in their leaders. Here are five of the most educated presidents and prime ministers in recent times.
5. Lee Hsien Loong
The Prime Minister of Singapore has an impressive academic record. He received the President’s Scholarship and Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship in 1971. He studied mathematics at Trinity College, University of Cambridge. In 1980, he earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
4. Angela Merkel
The former Chancellor of Germany holds a PhD in physical chemistry. Before entering politics in 1989, she worked as a researcher at the Academy of Sciences in Berlin-Adlershof from 1978 to 1990.
3. Manmohan Singh
The former Prime Minister of India earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Punjab University. He later studied at St John’s College, Cambridge, and obtained a PhD in Economics from Oxford University.
2. Hassan Rouhani
The former President of Iran studied Islamic theology before earning a BA in Judicial Law from the University of Tehran. He later obtained a Master of Philosophy in Law from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.
1. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson
The current President of Iceland holds one of the most impressive academic records. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the University of Warwick. He obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Iceland in 1997, another Master’s in History from Oxford University in 1999, and a PhD in History from Queen Mary University of London in 2003.
Education can bring valuable skills to leadership, though it is not the only factor that determines effective governance.
