| |
On 1 April 2010 at 1.00
p.m., Clin. Prof.
Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn,
President and Clin.
Prof. Dr. Teerawat Kulthanan,
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol
University, held a press
conference and opened special
activities in celebration
of the “60th anniversary of the first
graduation ceremony in the
reign of the present King”,
on the 1st floor
of the 100th Year Somdech Phra Srinagarindra
Building, Faculty of Medicine
Siriraj Hospital.
On 3 April 1950, HM King
Bhumibol graciously bestowed
degree and diploma certificates
for the first time in HM’s
reign. On that
day, 200 graduates and diploma
recipients of the University
of Medical Sciences in the
fields of Medicine, Pharmacy,
Dentistry, Public Health,
Veterinary Science and Nursing
– Midwifery and Health,
were bestowed degree and
diploma certificates. This
3 April 2010 will mark the
60th anniversary
of the historic event. As
HM King Bhumipol graciously
renamed the University of
Medical Sciences in 1969
after his Royal Father,
H.R.H. Prince Mahidol of
Songkla, who is also regarded
as the ‘Father of Modern
Medicine and Public Health
in Thailand’, Mahidol
University is considered
the first university whose
graduation ceremony was
presided over by HM the
King.
A graduation ceremony was
held for the first time
in Thailand in the reign
of King Rama VII on 25 October
1930. On this occasion,
HM the King graciously bestowed
degree certificates to graduates
of Chulalongkorn University
and since then, the tradition
of holding graduation ceremonies
has continued in Thailand.
For over 5 decades, H.M.
King Bhumibol had graciously
presided over the graduation
ceremonies of all public
universities in Thailand
despite his tremendous workload.
Once suggested to only bestow
degree certificates to graduates
at postgraduate level for
the sake of his health,
HM the King, with a merciful
consideration to enhance
the spirit of the new graduates,
kindly responded that he
only spent 6-7 seconds handing
over degree certificates
to each graduate, while
their joy and sense of accomplishment
on that day would continue
for years. In addition,
some students may not have
an opportunity or the necessary
funds to support postgraduate
education. With such merciful consideration, HM the King
has committed to “bestowing
degree certificates to graduates
at the undergraduate level
for as long as his energy
allows.” We are grateful
for HM Bhumibol’s generosity
and his gracious contributions
to higher education.
Since 2000, HRH Crown Prince
Vajiralongkorn, HRH Princess
Sirindhorn, HRH Princess
Chulabhorn and Princess
Somsawali have represented
him in the annual graduation
ceremonies of public universities
in the country.
To express utmost gratitude
for HM’s contributions to
higher education, Mahidol
University has organized activities in celebration
of the “60th anniversary
of the first graduation
ceremony in the reign of
the present King”.
The activities include an
exhibition and discussion
forum on 1 April 2010 entitled “In Remembrance of the first
group of graduates being
bestowed degree certificates
by HM the King”.
The speakers who came to
join a panel discussion
were the graduates on that
memorable day (3 April,
1950). The exhibition will
be open to the public until
15 April 2010 at
the 100th Year Somdech Phra
Srinagarindra Building,
Faculty of Medicine Siriraj
Hospital, Mahidol University. More Information
Post
Date : April 12, 2010 |
