Assumption University City Campus Launched.

Prof. Dr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the A.U. City Campus in the presence of administrators and guests. Deputy Prime Minister speaking to students attending the Vietnam Studies Program on February 7,2004.

Speech by
Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Prof. Dr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam

President, President Emeritus, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and distinguished guests:

It is with great honour that I preside at the opening of Assumption University City Campus today. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the University for its strong determination to improve the quality of the human resources of the country, which is vital for the increasingly competitive world in this era of globalization.

Life-long learning is the key aspect of education reform with the main purpose of transforming Thai society into a society of intelligent and prosperous citizens. In order to achieve the goal, the collaboration among the education institutions is very essential. Specifically for higher education institutions, the emphasis should not only be on providing education and instruction to young people, but also on adapting themselves to be 'Knowledge Centers for Open Learning' which is beneficial to people of all ages. Therefore, higher education institutions must emphasize on the importance of building into continuing education centers, focusing on the training of business people, entrepreneurs, as well as laborers by setting up the mechanisms to explore the needs of all sectors. Overall, higher education institutions must function as the rallying point for pursuit of knowledge that everyone, regardless of gender, age or profession, can seek and search for so that Thai people can live their life most productively.

The establishment of the City Campus in the heart of downtown Bangkok truly reflects the wisdom of the administrators in seeking investment opportunities and the strong determination of the University to improve the quality of the country's human resources. 'Vietnam Studies' at this campus will not only provide entrepreneurs or interested people with ideas and guidelines on investing in or having business with Vietnam but it will also help improve the economy of our country, hi this regard I do hope that the University will consistently offer other useful courses so that Thai people will gain the ideas and concepts to operate business with other countries, which will boost the exports and bring in foreign currency for the economic stability of our country.

Now I would like to take this opportunity to inaugurate Assumption University City Campus and to mark the opening of the 'Vietnam Studies Centre'. May all endeavours of Assumption University City Campus be successful and prosperous and may you achieve the objectives of the Vietnam Studies Centre.