Welcome and Congratulations Address
2nd APEC Future Scientist Conference Camp Reception Dinner
By Dr.Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich
Minister of Science and Technology
February 2nd, 2010, 19.00
Function Room, IT Museum Building, NSM, Pathum Thani
· Dr. Suchinda Chotipanich, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Science & Technology
· Prof. Sang Chun LEE, Chairman of APEC Mentoring Center for Science Gifted
· Dr.Jun, Vice Chairman APEC Mentoring Center for Gifted in Science (AMGS)
· Dr. Pichai Sonchaeng, President of National Science Museum
· Distinguished Guests
· Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls
I am so glad to be here to night with so many alert, smiling and happy boys and girls, from the region. I hope you are enjoying yourselves and you will have a wonderful time in Thailand, meeting new friends, seeing new sights, experience a different culture and learning a little more about science.
Let me take a few minutes to talk about three points.
Firstly, it is critical to know what is right and what is wrong. I have a simple rule. Do not harm yourself and do not harm others. Do what will improve yourself and others. Today there are many temptations and they are widely accessible. They play to our desires, greed, envies, and jealousies. We can not control our emotions. We can not stop them from rising. But when they rise, we can identify them, give them a name and say hullo to them, and bid them farewell. When we do that, we are free, from their strangling control. Then we can see clearly. We can think clearly and decide, how to solve the problems based on our moral principles. If you have not try this method. I would recommend you try it when you realize that you are angry!
Secondly, I hope you will not set a limit to your aims. I know you will continue to be curious, to be interested and to seek new knowledge and understanding. Scientific knowledge is expanding like our Universe. New discoveries are made every year and their applications multiple every month. Do not be afraid of failures; try and learn from your efforts; work together with your friends; develop your fullest potential and live your life to the fullest.
Thirdly, you are privileged, because of your intelligent. It is a greater gift than money. A fool will always lose their wealth. You can nurture and grow your knowledge and capability. I hope you will use your capability for those who are less privileged, for the improvement of humankind. In what ever you do, consider others first, care for their feelings and needs. Then you will also develop yourself and make your life more meaningful.
Let me summarize. Know what is right and what is wrong. Aim high. Care for others and develop yourself.
Finally I would like to thank all those who have made this camp possible. I would like to especially thank professor LEE Sang-Chun, the Chairman, and professor Jun, Vice Chairman of The APEC Mentoring Center for Gifted in Science who are dedicated to this project. On the Thai side I would also like to mention Dr. Pichai Sonchaeng and his team at the National Science Museum. I would also like to thank Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, NSTDA, and IPST for their hard work and support. Finally I would like to thank all the teachers who are mentoring the students at this camp. I hope you will also learn something useful from your experience here. I wish all of you every success and returning home to your loved ones safely after the end of the camp.
Thank you.
Last Updated on Friday, 22 August 2014 06:02