Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand conferred honorary degree at Lingnan University Congregation

17 Apr 2012

The 42nd Congregation of Lingnan University was held today. Mr Bernard Chan, GBS, JP, Chairman of the University Council, conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, in recognition of her long-term commitment to and outstanding achievements in promoting cultural, social and environmental development in Thailand and other parts of the world.

In her address, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn expressed her admiration for the motto of Lingnan University, “Education for Service”. She said: “Education, especially higher education, is much more than career training. A well-designed curriculum and set of extracurricular activities can transform a student into a better person and a leader, who can master the art of helping others. With this service-minded attitude, he or she will contribute much more to society in the future.”

Her Royal Highness remarked that a broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on the wholeness of humankind seems to be education for modern times. She emphasised the need of collaboration to educate our young people, who will become sharing and caring members of their local as well as global communities.

Princess Sirindhorn has been to China many times and devoted much effort to introducing Chinese culture and history to Thailand. She supported the construction of a new school in Sichuan in place of the old one destroyed in the latest earthquake, and has also made great contributions to the development of the Confucius College in Thailand.

Before the Conferment Ceremony, a tea reception was held for Her Royal Highness to meet with guests and university staff. It was followed by the Book Collection on Thailand Exhibition Opening Ceremony and the Inter-institutional Agreement of Cooperation Signing ceremony between Lingnan and Chulalongkorn Universities. A luncheon was organised afterwards with students performing traditional Chinese music and writing Chinese calligraphy for presentation as a gift to Princess Sirindhorn.