Group photo of attentandees at the meeting

During the meeting, Chair Hao Ping extended a warm welcome. He said that Princess Sirindhorn was an old friend of PKU and had made important contributions in promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and science and technology between China and Thailand. PKU is actively supporting the Sirindhorn Science and Technology Cultural Exchange Center, with which Thai-oriented cooperation activities would be further carried out, and existing language and literature, culture, Sino-Thai relations, and other fields would be broadened. Princess Sirindhorn has backed the joint efforts of PKU and Chulalongkorn University (CU) on the Confucious Institute at CU, and she supports even more excellent Thai students to come and study at PKU. In the end of this meeting, Chair Hao Ping invited Princess Sirindhorn to attend the 120th Anniversary of PKU.

The Princess visited the history museum of the university

Princess Sirindhorn expressed her gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements of PKU. She introduced the employment situation in Thailand of Thai students who graduated from PKU, and she expressed her gratitude for the cultivations that PKU provided these graduates. Princess Sirindhorn suggested that Chulalongkorn University, whose cooperation with PKU has yielded fruitful results, had celebrated its 100th anniversary celebration this year. The Chulalongkorn University President had led many delegations of the department of science and engineering to visit PKU, and there are particularly close links in life science and nanoscale research between the two universities, and the establishment of the Confucius Institute had further promoted mutual understandings. In the end, she hoped that with the joint efforts of the two universities, Sino-Thai relations would move forward to a new level.

The meeting between Princess Sirindhorn and Chair Hao Ping

After the meeting, Princess Sirindhorn left a message on the guestbook, and Chair Hao Ping presented to Princess Sirindhorn gifts of calligraphy works made by a PKU professor and an alumna. To celebrate the 120th anniversary of Peking University on May 4, 2018, a documentary is being filmed. After the meeting, Princess Sirindhorn was interviewed by the film crew, and throughout the interview, Princess Sirindhorn recalled her school life at PKU and shared some wonderful memories. Additionally, she said she deeply hopes to continue to participate in promoting cultural and educational communication between China and Thailand.

The Princess writing a message for PKU

The Princess receiving a gift of calligraphy works

Later, accompanied by Peking University Council Chair Professor Hao Ping and PKU Vice President Dr. Li Yansong, Princess Sirindhorn visited the PKU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. The Secretary General of the PKU Alumni Association Li Yuning introduced information about the PKU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, which has the objective of helping Chinese and international youth explore the means and methods of technology entrepreneurship by utilizing the comprehensive resource advantages of PKU. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute Dean Professor Chen Dongmin introduced information about the Innovative and Entrepreneurship Curriculum Ecosystem of PKU, which consists of creative learning education, source-provided social practice, and service platform to localize research.

Princess Sirindhorn visiting the PKU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center

Princess Sirindhorn listened to the introductions attentively while taking notes. Later, Princess Sirindhorn observed projects of students and alumni in the Student Entrepreneurship Office Area, Thai alum Paruja Chukiatkajohn and Ph.D. student Wang Shaoxin introduced the projects “Target Management Tool––Struggle Memoirs” and “Intelligent Air Purifier”, respectively. Princess Sirindhorn appreciated their projects and entrepreneurial spirit. Shortly afterwards, Princess Sirindhorn visited the Geek Laboratory and listened to introductions by the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science Professor Chen Jiang. Students of the laboratory demonstrated innovation projects such as the “Underwater Robot Fish” and “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles”. Before leaving, Princess Sirindhorn signed the “青年力量” (Youth Power) for the center. 

The Princess writing Chinese calligraphy

Then, accompanied by the Peking University Council Chair Professor Hao Ping and PKU Vice President Dr. Li Yansong, Princess Sirindhorn and delegation visited the Museum of Biology. The School of Life Sciences Professor Xu Chongren and Professor He Xinqiang introduced the history and specimens of the museum. Princess Sirindhorn listened attentively and posed some questions for her hosts. 

Princess Sirindhorn and delegation visiting the biology museum of PKU

Princess Sirindhorn, who received honorary doctorate degree from PKU, is a friendly messenger between the people of China and Thailand. From 2001 to now, Princess Sirindhorn has visited PKU almost every year, and she attaches great importance to the development of PKU and supports its progress. She also actively promotes the communication between PKU and Thai universities as well as other academic institutions. This visit further promotes Sino-Thai friendly relations by promoting cooperation in the fields of education, research, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.