On 12 February 2018, Mae Fah Luang University had the great honour of receiving Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who, on behalf of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, presided over MFU’s commencement ceremony for the Academic Year 2016 at the C4 Princess Mother Auditorium. This year’s commencement marked the graduation of MFU’s 15th class of students and also the School of Social Innovation’s first batch of graduates. In total, 2,447 Thai and 67 international graduates attended the degree presentation ceremony. This year, three Honorary Doctorates were awarded, an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration to Mr. Chao Posirisuk, an Honorary Doctorate in Public Health to Dr. Boonyong Wongrukmit, and an Honorary Doctorate in Applied Chemistry to Professor Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong.
Among MFU’s guests of honor to the degree conferment ceremony were H.E. Mr. Fu Xuezhang, former ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand; H.E. Mr. Lyu Jian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand; and Mr. Ren Yisheng, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China.
On this occasion, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn delivered a royal address, stating that as the graduates live in a society with different kinds of people, they need to be cautious and ensure that their actions, words, and thoughts are moral and constructive. The Princess added that positive and conscientious minds would support the society and sustain peace therein. Princess Sirindhorn, therefore, encouraged the graduates to do everything in a conscientious way, reminding them that neglecting the consequences of their words, deeds and thoughts will result in conflicts that affect both themselves and the nation.
After conferring the degrees, H.R.H. Princess Sirindhorn visited the Office of the President, where she was introduced to the Nan province’s Forest Restoration Exhibitions, the 20 Years under the Virtue of H.R.H. Princess Sirindhorn Project, the Chiang Rai Herbal City Project, and the Medical Service Projects, which featured the Princess Mother’s health-promoting mobile medical unit and dental service projects, both having served as many as 24,014 people in remote areas.
In addition, a special exhibition was staged. Entitled “The Princess and Three Aspects of Friendship”. This exhibition displayed H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s grateful contributions to strengthening the Thai-China relationship in three aspects: the Chinese language, culture, and the strength of the people and society. The exhibition also celebrated the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Sirindhorn Chinese Language and Cultural Centre. Named after H.R.H. Princess Sirindhorn, the centre is committed to fulfilling Her Royal Highness’ inspiration and following in her footsteps, serving as a resource centre for Chinese-language learning and cultural studies, promoting collaboration between the two countries.
