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Hua Mak Campus
The original master-plan envision 4 to 5 storey building scattered around the campus that would have made of ABAC a concrete jungle. As multi-storied building sprung around, the administration though it would be better to do the same, put up one or two buildings more keep ample space for flowers, trees, and grass. The new headquarters of the Bangkok Bank had just been completed. At a lunch meeting between high ranking officers of the Bank and the top administrators of ABAC, the latter were advised not to exceed ten stories, as beyond cost would multiply, not add...At that time the students toilets were behind the former shed and further away the servants quarters. All had to be pulled down to give way for the new Assumption Building that would be in remembrance of "Ratanakosin 200 years". Innumerable alterations occurred during the construction. Rev. Br. Martin couldn't help adding an eleventh floor on the original blue-print. The clock that strikes the hour and the carillon that sings the praises of the Blessed Virgin came straight from northern Italy and the inventor came to have them fixed.
In March 1985, H.E. General Prem Tinasulanonda, Prime Minister, officially inaugurated the building and opened the new Graduate School of Business.
Simultaneously and to enhance the idea that ABAC prides itself as a catholic institution, a chapel was built up dedicated to our Lady of Annunciation and financed by funds from Germany. The chapel is a little jewel with beautiful stained glasses and original wall sculptures. The stained glasses on each side on the altar are from Italy. The others and the wall sculptures were conceived by the altar are from Italy. The others and the wall sculptures were conceived by Rev. Br. Martin and realized by Thai artists. The statues from Italy were to remind the workshop of old cherished traditions.
Gate of Wisdom
This triumphal arch is akin to the university’s gate of wisdom. It symbolizes the gateway leading to Assumption University, a magnificent place full of treasure of knowledge and blazing light of guidance. Those who walk past this gate are the ones determining to be adorned with intelligence and abilities useful for their future career path, creating prosperity for themselves as well as the nation.
General features
The top front of the gate is decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures designed to display the evolution of human beings, starting from the time when they were just a caveman, being uneducated to the era of civilization. During the change, education, which was first introduced by priests, played an important role in enhancing quality of human life. As a result, some became scholars, some inventors, while others made the society prosper both at the national and international level.
At the base of the sculpture is the name of Assumption University in Thai. Messages are carved at the bottom of each gate’s column.
On the right side, the message says:
The Saint Gabriel Foundation Thailand, which had been offering basic education in Thailand for a decade, began facilitating an autonomous higher education institution in 1969 under the name of Assumption School of Business (ASB). In 1972, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, it was officially established as Assumption Business Administration college or ABAC. It was accredited by the Ministry of University Affairs and the Civil Service Commission in 1975 and later by The U.S. Veterans Administration in 1980.
ABAC furthered its development and fulfilled the mission of the institution via effective teaching, research, academic services, and arts and cultural preservation. It was, then, granted new status as Assumption University on 22 May 1990.
The message on the left says:
His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej is a monarch who has been respected for his grace and benevolence throughout the Kingdom and beyond. His admirable manner, wisdom, and sincerity are evident in all his activities while his adherence to 10 royal virtues and goodness reiterated his perfect leadership as a king.
In Remembrance of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, ABAC students, faculty members and staff have organized a ceremony to celebrate the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 60th birthday anniversary in December 1987.
The sculpture of Archangel Gabriel is situated at the top back of the gate, blessing everyone at the university. Messages are carved on both sides of the column:
'YOU ARE THE SALT YOU ARE THE LIGHT
OF THE EARTH… OF THE WORLD…’
MT V 13 MT V 14
These two verses imply that all ABAC affiliates must always maintain their act of kindness and performance of good deeds, becoming the light in the dark, the wisdom among the ignorant, thus forging peace and unity in the society.
Beneath the sculpture is the name of Assumption University while messages are also carved at the base of both columns. On the left, it says:
“DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF BROS. MARTIN, SIMEON, LEO, AND CYRIL, THIS ARCH WAS ERECTED TO OMMENMORATE THE 60TH BIRTHDAY IN 1987 OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING AND THE 1986 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PEACE. THE THAI INSCRIPTION “อัสสัมชัญ” ON THE ARCH SIGNIFIES AN ABODE FO ABIDING KNOWLEDGE”
F. HILAIRE
On the right, it says:
“IN COMMENORATION OF THE VISIT TO ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN, ON NOVEMBER 7, 1990. ON THIS DAY THE PRINCESS DECLEARED OPEN “CORONATION HALL MCMLXXXIX” IN HONOUR OF THE LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH IN THAI HISTORY, HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ.”
The purposes of the construction are:
1. To reminisce the royal grace and legacies of His Majesty the King Bhumibhol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty’s 5th cycle birthday celebration on 5 December 1987, becoming the longest reigning monarch in the history;
2. To commemorate the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presiding over the opening ceremony of the Coronation Hall MCMLXXXIX at Assumption University on 7 November 1990;
3. To remind all ABAC affiliates of the importance of inquisitiveness, patience, and effort to learn which will guide them to their achievement in the future.
Construction
The gate was constructed in the year 1990.
