Chancellor Maasland,

Vice Chancellor McCormack,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for the warm welcome which I received from the very first steps I took when entering the grounds of the University. Yesterday, as I was looking out the window from the hotel, I could actually see this University and so I am honoured to be here today.

I am deeply honoured to be given an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Auckland University of Technology -- a leading university that was established by Sir Paul Reeves, former Governor General, and has produced many qualified graduates from all over the world, including Thailand.

For me, I have always enjoyed being in New Zealand, having been here many times before. But this is the first time that I am here on an Official Visit as Prime Minister. And to receive this honour from AUT today makes this visit very special for me. I now feel part of the AUT family, like other Thai students here. I now have a special bond with the beautiful city of Auckland.

So it is with a deep sense of appreciation and humility that I accept this honour. I share this not only with my family and friends, but also with all of the Thai people. You have honoured me as the first elected female Prime Minister, but to me, this is really in recognition of what the Thai people have achieved over the past two years, especially their efforts to build a genuine democracy and support sustainable growth.

I feel that education is the best way to support democracy, growth and improve quality of lives. That is why my Government attaches so much importance to the education of our youths. The importance of education was also mentioned by the Chancellor. For us, preparing our youth for the world’s challenges begins early, where the academic program and other activities are made to fit with each stage of a person’s life cycle in order to promote maximum learning capabilities. IT and new technologies has been introduced to support education and make it available to a larger number of people.

Finally, I hope that this honour will inspire everyone to work together to make the world a better place for all. I also hope that the Chancellor would get the chance to visit Thailand again, especially the northeast, where he has spent some time previously on education. Expanding cooperation in education will not only strengthen the relations between the peoples of the two beloved nations but will also be beneficial for future generations.

Thank you.