Acclaimed movie director Zhang Yimou accepts an invitation on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate from Boston University November 7, 2008. Laurie Phol (left), the university's vice-president of enrollment and student affairs, and Tom Fiedler, dean of its college of communication, made the invitation at the Beijing Film Academy, Zhang's alma mater.

Boston University, based in the United States, said on Friday it would award Chinese director Zhang Yimou an honorary doctorate.

Zhang was the chief director of the dazzling opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games.

The award ceremony will be held at the university campus on May 17, 2009, the university's vice president Laurie Pohl told an audience at the Beijing Film Academy, the director's alma mater.

Few Chinese artists have been awarded honorary degrees by well-known U.S. schools. One exception is Beijing opera master Mei Lanfang who attained an honorary doctorate from Pomona College in 1930.

Boston University President Robert Brown said in a letter to Zhang that the degree marked his "successful pursuit of artistic excellence" that had "enriched audiences around the world."

Hugo Shong, the university trustee who recommended Zhang for the honor, said the degree recognized Zhang's status as a Chinese cultural symbol.

Zhang is known for films such as "Raise the Red Lantern", "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers". His last film was the 2006 historical epic "Curse of the Golden Flower", after which he devoted his time to the Olympics.