Laos PM receives honorary doctorate from Thai university

The ceremony took place in the conference hall of the Prime Minister's Office in Vientiane. It was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, senior government officials, and university rectors from Laos and Thailand.

Bouasone thanked representatives from the university after receiving the honorary degree, saying it represented the growing cooperation between Laos and Thailand.

The President of Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, Associate Professor Dr Supol Wuthisen, said the university had bestowed the degree on Bouasone in recognition of his capacity in the technological development and management of his country.

The degree was also in acknowledgement of Bouasone's vision for the improvement of the quality of life for Lao people, as evidenced by the country's fast economic and social progress, as well as recognizing the prime minister's keen mind concerning development of the cooperation between Laos and Thailand.

Dr Supol said that Bouasone was a man with great vision and a vigorous mind. He had initiated and developed the 20-year educational development strategy (2000-2020), a landmark in the history of educational development in Laos.

Bouasone also played an active role in the promotion of international cooperation and had successfully cemented friendship between Laos and Thailand, he added.

Dr Supol said the prime minister had focused his attention on improving and increasing the potential, skills and capabilities of the Lao people, not only for the good of individual citizens, but also for the well-being of the nation as a whole.

The Prime Minister was undoubtedly a visionary leader who was well aware that the advancement of a nation, economically, politically and socially, could not be achieved without technological development.

The National Strategy in Economic Development Plan and the Sixth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2006-2010) both stressed improved living standards as the focal point in eradicating poverty and developing industry. Better living standards were also seen as crucial for the development of agriculture and in supporting private investment both internally and globally, and in developing human resources.

"Laos and Thailand have become closer to our neighbors, whom we cherish as part of the family. The long established friendship between the two nations has led to cooperative projects in various forms on an equal footing. Suffice it to say that this wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the vision and far-sightedness of our two leaders," Dr Supol said.

//Vientiane Times, Laos

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