HRH Princess to preside over 24 May graduation
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the Asian Institute of Technology's 105th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 24 May 2006. It is the first time Her Royal Highness will confer degrees at an international postgraduate institution.
The presence of the Princess at the commencement exercise allows AIT to join the Thai nation in celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty the King of Thailand's Accession to the Throne. AIT has been fortunate to receive royal patronage and support of His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family over the years.
With 538 graduating students, the event takes place at the Thailand Science Park Convention Center behind AIT's campus, and reachable through the Thammasat University entrance next to AIT's main entrance.
HRH Princess Sirindhorn has long been associated with AIT. She is an honorary faculty member and alumna of AIT. In 1984, she attended a two-month course at the Asian Regional Remote Sensing Training Center and became AIT's first royal alumna by earning her certificate of course completion. In 1989 as part of the institute's 30th anniversary celebration, AIT conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology on Her Royal Highness.
The Princess has visited AIT's campus on several occasions: For the opening of the Agricultural and Food Engineering Building in 1988, the inauguration of the Computer Science Building in 1991, the inauguration of the Chalerm Prakiat Building in 1996 and AIT's 40th anniversary celebration in 1999. Her last visit was in 2003, when she led students from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy on a study visit.
Other than Princess Maha Chakri, this auspicious event will be graced by H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, former Thailand Prime Minister and AIT Board of Trustees chairman, as well as Gen. Dr. Boonsrang Niumpradit, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the AIT Alumni Association's president.
More than 1,200 graduates and guests from all over the world will watch the event.
For the web broadcast, please hook up to: http://www.mmserv.ait.ac.th/mpu-web2/graduation/index.cfm
Tentative program:
105th AIT Graduation Ceremony
8:20 a.m.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn departs from the Palace
8:30 a.m.
Graduates and guests are seated in the exhibition hall
9:00 a.m.
Arrival of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who will be welcomed by the Pathumthani Province Governor, Senior Judge of Thanyaburi, Commanding General of 11th Military Circle, Commander of Pathumthani Provincial Police Bureau, H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, Prof. Said Irandoust and vice presidents of AIT
9:15 a.m.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn proceeds to the exhibition hall and the ceremony starts
- Welcome remarks by H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun AIT Board of Trustees chairman (showing gratitude to Her Royal Highness for coming to the ceremony)
- Graduating message by Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT president (reporting the activities of the Institute in the previous year 2005)
- Prof. Peter Haddawy, vice president for academic affairs, calls upon the doctoral graduates
- Conferment of doctoral degrees by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
- Conferment of master's degrees, awarding of Outstanding Student Prizes and Master's Thesis Competition winners by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
- Message by General Dr. Boonsrang Niumpradit, AIT Alumni Association president
- Most Outstanding Student message by Mr. Manavit Vinaipanit (Industrial Engineering and Management Field of Study, School of Engineering and Technology)
- A 5-minute video presentation in honor of His Majesty the King's 60th Anniversary accession to the throne.
10:25 a.m.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn departs from the exhibition hall
10:35 a.m.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn departs from the Convention Center to AIT
10:45 a.m.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn arrives at the AIT Conference Center, to be welcomed by AIT administrators
11:00 a.m. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has lunch with dignitaries, ambassadors, chairman of AIT Board of Trustees, president, vice presidents and high-ranking officials.
12:00 noon time
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn departs AIT campus for the Royal Palace