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University Highlighted Activities

Dr. Ramos’s Address at the Conferral Ceremony

On December 18, 2013,Assumption University had aprivilege to confer Doctor inPhilosophy Honoris Causa onH.E. Jose’ Ramos – Horta, Under-Secretary-General SpecialRepresentative of the UNSecretary-General, Head of theUN Integrated Peace BuildingMission in Guinea-Bissau (WestAfrica). The InvestitureCeremony was performed in theUniversity Chapel and theDegree was presented to him byRev. Bro. Bancha Saenghiran,f.s.g. Ph.D., Rector- Magnificusof Assumption University. On thisoccasion, Dr. Hose’ Ramoscaptivated the audience with hisinsightful address entitled, “ASIA:Rise or Fall – Challenges andOpportunities in the 21st

Century”.

It is important to note thatbesides being Head of the UNPeace Building Team, Dr. Ramosis one of the three leaders ofEast Timor, Prime Minister in2006, President of Timor- Lestefrom May 2007- April 2008 andin 1996 he was jointly awardedthe Nobel Peace Prize withBishop Carlos Belo.

In citation, H.E. Ramos – Hortahas engaged his entire life inselfless struggling for peace andindependence of his homeland -

East Timor – and the people. Hehas been recognized nationallyand internationally throughnumerous awards. PresidentRamos is world renown for hisacademic achievementsespecially in peace building,human rights, and publicrelations. He writes and speaksextensively on the topics and hasbeen awarded several DoctorHonoris Causa from universitiesin Australia, Japan, Korea, thePhilippines, Brazil, Portugal,Thailand, and USA.

In his eloquent address,Dr.Ramos revealed his authenticconcerns and sincere suggestionover intense situations in variousplaces in Asia includingThailand.

Drawing on his rich, first-handexperience of Timor-Leste’sindependence struggle fromover 400 years of Portuguesecolonization and two decades ofIndonesian rule, he concludesone essential ingredient forpeace:

“…In victory, be magnanimous;never seek to humiliate theadversary. ...”

His statement is timely forcurrent Thailand situation – hissecond witness as he was inBangkok during the street protest

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in May 2010. Over the present tension, heeloquently expressed his real concern as a truefriend:

“…It is always a pleasure to visit theKingdom of Thailand. Like other countries in ourregion, Thailand faces complex political and socialtensions that cause real concern among its manyfriends.

I was here in Bangkok in May 2010 in theheat of the street protests – and was the onlyforeign Head of State welcome by theGovernment. I was witness to the tensions …as thetwo sides were not able to climb down from theirrespective demands. “

Yet he never lost hope for the future ofThailand:

“However, we are all hopeful that those involve inthe different sides of the divide will be able to meethalfway in frank and robust dialogue, swallow theirpride, restrain their anger, manage their emotions,bridge their differences, and charter an inclusiveRoad Map for the Future of Thailand as a trulyfree, peaceful, compassionate, and egalitariansociety illuminated by the wisdom of Buddha.”

For Thais, wherever you are in yourstandpoint, wouldn’t it be wise to seriouslyponder his suggestion—a suggestion from a

leader of one of the nine fastest growing statesin the world?

And for Asia the big picture, President Ramoscautions scholars who predict that world power isshifting to Asia in the 21st century as he views thechallenges we face are immense and complex:

“I would dare say that our region is the mostdangerous in the world, the most militarized, mostnuclearized, with complex land and maritimeborder disputes, regional rivalries, ethnic andreligious conflicts that have exploded in andbetween states.”

In conclusion he offers a sound suggestion:

“Asia needs a roadmap of priorities andresource allocation to answer all these challenges.Asian leaders should consider a 30-year Asian RoadMap for integrated, sustainable HumanDevelopment including goals for eradicatingpoverty, illiteracy, TB, malaria, etc. and restore thewealth and health of our forests, rivers, seas.”

For those interested in reading his full address,the program booklet for the Conferral Ceremonyis available at the AU library.

ABACTODAY 5

Rev. Brother Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas,ThePresident Emeritus of Assumption University blessedthe Bridal couple at the Wedding reception for Mr.Viwat Avarasiripong’s son Jinnawat, on December26, 2013 at the Reniassance Hotel. Mr. ViwatAvarasiripong, a graduate of ABAC Batch#2, in thepast was an adjunct professor in the UndergraduateDepartment of Marketing, the Martin de Tours Schoolof Management and the former President of theAssumption University Alumni Association.

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Mor Din Daeng,More Than Games

Rev. Bro. Dr.Bancha Saenghiran,Rector Magnificus of AssumptionUniversity presided over theAssumption University’s AthletesCommentary Ceremony to honorAU athletes and to boost theirmorale. The athletes wereparticipating in the 41st ThailandUniversity Games: “Mor DinDaeng, More Than Games.”Attendants at the ceremony wereDr.Vindhai Cocracul, Vice Rectorfor Student Affairs, Dr.ChirapaSrikalasin, Assistant to the

University Highlighted Activities

Vice Rector for Student Affairs,coaches, team leaders, and AUathletes. The event organized by theUniversity’s Student Affairs, tookplace on January 8, 2014 in frontof the Cathedral of LearningBuilding, Assumption University,Suvarnabhumi campus.

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Faculty Activities

School of LawsLast Orientation

The Rector Magnificus ofAssumption University, Rev.Brother Dr. Bancha Saenghiranaddressed the Graduating class ofthe Faculty of Laws at its LastOrientation on January 22, 2014 inthe Assembly Hall, De MontfortBuilding, at the Hua Mak campus.The Rector Magnificus emphasizedintegrity in professional performanceand the rule of law as the pivots ofsocial harmony and progress.

...............................................................................................................................................................The Most Important Elements in Business

Professor David B. Grant, Professor of Logistics and AssociateDean (Business Engagement) Hull University Business School, U.K.addressed the Faculty members and students of the Martin de ToursSchool of Management on the subject of Logistics and SupplyChain Management: The Most Important Elements in Business ata forum at the Assumption University Suvarnabhumi campus onJanuary 15, 2014 at 9:00 hrs.

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Faculty Activities

Musica Grandioso was an Opera andStudents recital. Through this projectthe students were allowed to showtheir appreciation towards thetraditional form of music, providedentertainment services to publicwith cooperation from well-renowned Japanese performers inTokyo and Thailand. It also allowedstudents to demonstrate theirinstrumental skills and talents inpublic and enabled the students togain more confidence in performingin public, organized by School ofMusic at Martin Hall on January 23,2014

The Department of marketing, the Martin de Tours Schoolof Management organized its first Orientation for MarketingMajor Students at the John XXIII International ConferenceCenter on January 24, 2014

The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairsorganized an Orientation for new faculty members atAssumption University on January 25, 2014 at the Salled’Expo, the Hua Mak campus. The Rector Magnificusintroduced the UNIVERSITY, its Vision, Mission andacademic objectives to the new faculty. The faculty membersparticipated in a teaching techniques workshop led by theStaff from the Office of the Vice President for AcademicAffairs.

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Prizes,Awards and Honors

AU Christmas 2013 was celebrated at both campuseson 24 December 2013 where AU President, Rev.Bro. Bancha Saenghiran presided over the ceremony.The highlights of the Christmas 2013 at Suvarnabhumicampus were the ceremony of AU Awards forExcellence and Birthday anniversary celebration of Rev.Bro. Prathip M. Komolmas, President Emeritus at theChapel of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. The Holy Masswas performed at night in the Chapel of St. Louis Mariede Montfort. Christmas 2013 at Hua Mak campusfeatured AU Staff of the Year Award and Christmas partyat Salle d’ Expo, Assumption Hall. The Holy Mass wascelebrated in the chapel, Assumption Hall at night.Attendants were AU administrators, faculty members,staff, students, alumni, and guests.

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Prizes,Awards and Honors

Five ABAC Students Won Prizes in French Speech Contest 2013

On December 1, 2013 students from Business French participated in the Annual French Activities organizedby the Association of Thai Teacher Teaching French, under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness PrincessMaha Chakri Sirindhorn. The contest took place at Assumption College, Bangrak, Bangkok.

Our sincere congratulations to the five AU winners:

Ms. Issariya Mekrungcharas was the 1st Prize Winner in Speech Contest

Mr. Watchara Thapchai, Ms. Natcharas Anantakitayathorn and Mr. Jatturong Singchan,as a team, received the Honorable Mention Award in French Conversation.

Ms. Pusacha Suanmalee won the Honorable Mention Award in French Quiz.

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Exchange Program

Students Exchange fromthe University ofWisconsin-Whitewater

Dr. Andrew Ciganeck and Dr. Denis and a groupof fourteen students from the University ofWisconsin-Whitewater were hosted to visitAssumption University by the Martin School ofManagement on January 6, 2014. Mr. GlenChatelier, the Director of the Office ofInternational Affairs welcomed the Wisconsinvisitors with a brief introduction of AssumptionUniversity at the Wiset Si Samut Room, theCathedral of Learning, Suvarnabhumi campus,before a forum on ASEAN and the Thai Economyfollowed, with lecturers from the Martin Schoolof Management sharing their informed andresearched views with the participants.

Students Exchange from DePauw University

Asst. Prof. Dr. Kittiphan Techakittiroj, Dean of the Vincent MaryFaculty of Engineering welcomed Assoc. Prof. Khadija J. Stewart,Caroline Jones and a group of twenty four undergraduate studentsfrom DePauw University, Indiana, USA on January 10, 2014 at theSuvarnabhumi campus. The objective of the study abroad visitorswas to learn more about the academic programs of AssumptionUniversity while on their visit to Thailand to learn more about ThaiCulture and Traditions.

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Exchange Program

Mr. Steve Miranda, Managing Director, Center forAdvanced Human Resources Studies (CAHRS), andJoseph E. Grasso Associate Dean for Finance,Administration, and Corporate Relations, The School ofIndustrial and Labor Relations (ILR) at Cornell University,Ithaca, New York, U.S.A. accompanied by Mr.Thepparith Senamngern an Assumption UniversityAlumnus, visited the Martin School of Management’sDean Dr. Uree Cheasakul and her academic team at theAssumption University, Suvarnabhumi campus to explorecollaborations in academic exchange programs on January13, 2014. The meeting was attended by two lecturersfrom the AU Faculty of Laws, graduates of the master’sdegree in laws program at Cornell University.

Sasicha Sirivallapanondh, Jitrinee Chanphati,Khanchanok Jirotphan, Pichaya Sadudeechevinand Tirada Saengprayoonporn from the Martinde Tours School of Management and Economicshave been awarded the JASSO Scholarship toparticipate in the Asian Studies Exchangeprogram at Kansai Gaidai University,Osaka,Japan from January to December 2014

Rev. Brother Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas, the RectorEmeritus of Assumption University welcomed thirty twoExchange students from U.S.A., Japan, Finland, theNetherlands, Germany and France at an Orientationorganized by the Office of International Affairs on January17, 2014. The Exchange students have enrolled inundergraduate courses in the Martin de Tours School ofManagement and the Business English Department, theFaculty of Arts for one semester.