Introductory Remarks
by
Assoc. Prof. Noranit Setabutr
Rector World
Buddhist University
International Conference on Buddhism and World Peace
10
February 2002
Your
Holiness Venerable Phra Yanasangvara, Sangharaja
Your Excellency Suwit Khunkitti
Venerable monastics,
Distinguished Council members and Directors of the World Buddhist University and
its Institutes,
Distinguished delegates to the International Conference on Buddhism and World Peace,
Honoured guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On 31 October 2541 (1998 CE), the World Fellowship of Buddhists, at its 20th Conference held in New South Wales, Australia, approved the establishment of the World Buddhist University. Some two years later, on 9th December 2543 (2000 CE), the World Buddhist University was inaugurated at the World Fellowship of Buddhists headquarters here in Bangkok. On that same date, I was selected by the World Buddhist University Council, and was appointed Rector of the World Buddhist University by the President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. I, in turn, appointed Khun Anurut Vongvanij as deputy Rector, and appointed Directors to the four World Buddhist University Institutes.
In the 14 months since the inauguration of our University, we have been very busy and have made great progress with University development, as exemplified through the following highlights.
On 28 November 2000 (2543), Thailand Government (Cabinet) approval was granted recognising the establishment of the World Buddhist University.
During the year 2000 (2543), the University raised over 2,700,000 Thai Baht in donations, which were presented in a “Tord Pappa” ceremony held on 9 December 2000 (2543).
On 4 August 2001 (2544), the University held a Symposium on World Buddhist University Curriculum Development where agreement was attained on basic curricula structure for the University.
On 9 December 2001 (2544), the University celebrated the first anniversary of its inauguration in a ceremony attended by over 100 guests, including Monks, Nuns, Scholastics, Diplomats, and lay- people.
Also, on 9 December 2001 (25440, in a second “Tord Pappa Samakky Nanachat” ceremony, over 2,500,000 Thai Baht in donations were received by the World Buddhist University.
Development of infrastructure for the smooth running of the University is on-going through the World Buddhist University headquarters offices located on the third floor of the World Fellowship of Buddhists Headquarters building.
New Associate members have been approved by the University Council for affiliation with the World Buddhist University and further new applications are being received for consideration.
Currently, plans are on-going in preparation for the World Congress of Buddhists for Peace and Co-Existence, which the World Buddhist University and the World Fellowship of Buddhists will be hosting at Buddha Monthon, Thailand, from 26th of may through the 28th of May, 2002 (2545).
As you can see, development activities at our very youthful University are occurring at a rapid pace. Our University community is growing both nationally and internationally. Infrastructure and curricular development are taking place and we are gaining an ever increasing presence and enhanced reputation within the world Buddhist community. We fully expect this trend to continue.