AUNG San Suu Kyi accepted the Freedom of the City before inviting Oxford students to travel to Burma to inspire students in her homeland.

The prestigious award was given in front of an audience of hundreds in a marquee in the grounds of St Hugh’s College yesterday afternoon. Among the crowd were staff and students from Oxford University.

Still wearing her red gown and black cap from the honorary degree ceremony earlier in the day, Ms Suu Kyi smiled as she accepted the award.

The Freedom of the City is an honorary award, and offers recipients the right to attend council meetings and ceremonial occasions, including civic church services.

Other high-profile figures to receive it in Oxford include former athlete Sir Roger Bannister, Nelson Mandela, Inspector Morse writer Colin Dexter and author Philip Pullman.

The Burmese democracy campaigner was at St Hugh’s, where she studied in the 1960s, to pick up the honour first awarded to her by the city council in 1997.

She was unable to collect the award in person 15 years ago as she was under house arrest in Burma. Instead, her son, Kim Aris, picked up the award on his mother’s behalf.

On the second day of her visit to Oxford, she finally accepted the Freedom of the City in person from Lord Mayor Alan Armitage, but did not address the audience.

Speaking to Ms Suu Kyi, and presenting her with a certificate, Mr Armitage said: “You have spoken often of your love for Oxford, you and your family’s home for many years, and by your visit here when you are in so much demand across the world, you have generously demonstrated the place our city has in your heart.

“We citizens of Oxford reciprocate that love, tinged with awe and admiration for your courage and extraordinary patience in fighting fearlessly for democracy and human rights in Burma.

“Not many of us would have tolerated house arrest for 15 years, and the threats and restrictions you have endured.

“We will continue to watch your progress with eager interest, and also with pride because of the association with our city.”

After receiving the award, Ms Suu Kyi spent about 10 minutes chatting with seven students who were each given the Vice-Chancellor’s Civic Award for helping community groups.

They included Will Crouch, 25, a philosophy graduate from St Anne’s College, whose Giving What We Can organisation encourages people to donate 10 per cent of their income to fight global poverty.

Mr Crouch, from Oxford, said: “Ms Suu Kyi told us she would love us to inspire students in Burma and there was an informal invitation to visit the country.

“It would be an amazing opportunity and we might well take her up on it.”