Proud Moments at AU’s Class 53 Graduation Ceremony

Full Text of Address by the President
Assumption University of Thailand
at the 53rd Commencement Exercises
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
On Saturday, January 24, 2026
Introduction

Chairman of AU Council, President Emeritus, Rector Magnificus, Distinguished guests, faculties, staff, families, and most importantly, the graduating class of 2024/53, my heartfelt congratulations and felicitation. It is an honor to be with you today. This is a moment of immense significance. It is a day of joy, pride, and anticipation for the future, not only for you, the graduates, but for everyone who has supported you on this journey.

At this juncture, by the authority vested me, I hereby accept your Pledge of Fealty. I am quite certain that God who began this good work in you will see to its completion and perfect goodness (Letter to Philippians, 1: 6).

To our graduates, you have come a long way to be here because you have worked diligently and tirelessly, overcoming challenges and demanding work-load of study, and making sacrifices to reach this milestone. This achievement is a testament to your commitment to excellence, determination to succeed, perseverance, persistent endeavor and intellectual development. Today, we rejoice and celebrate all that you have accomplished, but we also look forward to all that you will accomplish in the years ahead. You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished! Look to the future, where the Spirit of God is sending you in order to do even greater things (Pope John Paul II, Vita Consecrata, 110).

The Journey of Higher Education

Your life at Assumption University began with dreams, enthusiasm and aspirations, and even with uncertainty and anxiety. When you first arrived you weren’t quite sure what the path would look like. You may have felt overwhelmed by the academic requirements or by the challenges of living away from home for the first time. Yet, over time, you found your way and could design your future plan. You have learned, grown, determined and transformed in ways that no one could have predicted. You entered this Institution as students, but through the years of hard-working spirit, you have become learners, thinkers, researchers, planners, innovators and problem-solvers, able to embrace all hardships and challenges that may come into your lives. 

Higher education is about much more than simply acquiring knowledge. It is about developing the ability to think critically, to question assumptions, and to approach the world with a mindset of curiosity and open-mindedness. But, perhaps most importantly, it is about becoming someone who can shape not just their own future, but the future of those around them. It is about becoming the kind of person who can navigate the complexities of life with integrity and wisdom.

In this regard, you are a person of integrity, which means to be honest, sincere, accountable, dependable, exemplary and trust-worthy. Integrity is defined as adhering to a moral code in daily life and in decision-making. When people and business possess integrity, it means they can be trusted. On the other hand, companies or organizations that lack this integrity mislead customers with inferior or poor products or fake advertising, will suffer consequences (William W. George, 2001).

As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your journey, I wish to remind you of the legacy you are now a part of. You are graduates of Assumption University, a place with a rich tradition as a learning center for students who have come here to acquire a wholistic transformation through the integrated development of their character with quality education, to achieve professional competence and excellence in every dimension of life, to be faithful to their responsibilities and commitment to the Ultimate Truth, to be creative practitioners and entrepreneurs in various branches of business and the commercial world, to be prepared for the challenges and demands of this rapid changing era, upholding moral and ethical values which are the basic foundation of a just and fraternal society. I hope you will carry the lessons and rich experiences learned here with you and apply them to your personal and professional lives.

The Legend of Assumption University & The Four Virtues

Assumption University’s history is a story of vision, resilience, and growth. Since its humble genesis in 1969 as the Assumption School of Business (ASB), then evolving into Assumption Business Administration College (ABAC), and now standing as Assumption University (AU), this Alma Mater has always been faithful to the ideals set forth by our founders. We are proud of our Catholic heritage and the religious values that are at the heart of our educational mission with the motto: Labor Omnia Vincit – Labor conquers all things, as administered by Brothers of St. Gabriel. And now Assumption University is proud to commission you to go out to the world to bear fruit, fruit that will last (Gospel of St. John, Ch.15).

As graduates, you are now part of this proud legacy. There are numerous fond memories to be cherished as students of Assumption University. Among them, I hope you will remember the iconic Four Virtues we hold dear : Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. They have been central to the education and formation of students, both professional and ethical, at Assumption University. These cardinal virtues were revered by the great thinkers of ancient Greece and Rome, and they have stood the test of time because they reflect the essential qualities that guide human intellect, behavior and decision-making. I do hope you will treasure in your heart the virtues written on Sala Jaturatham, located at the entrance of Suvarnabhumi Campus, the Pavilion on which the Four Virtues are engraved on its upper four-sided parts.

Prudence is the virtue of wisdom and practical judgment. It is the ability to make sound decisions by carefully considering all factors and understanding the consequences of one’s actions. Prudence is not just about making the right choice, it is about approaching decisions with a mindset of discernment and reflection. The world is filled with choices, some of which may not always seem clear. Prudence will help us navigate these complexities with wisdom and clarity.

Justice is the virtue that governs our relationships with others. It is the pursuit of fairness and the commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult. In a world that often seems divided by inequality and injustice, we must remember that our actions toward others should reflect fairness, respect, and compassion. Advocate for fairness, seek to uplift others, and ensure that your decisions contribute to the common good.

Fortitude is the strength to persevere in the face of adversity. It is the courage to stand firm in your beliefs, even when faced with hardship or opposition, being persistent and never giving up. Fortitude is not about avoiding difficulty, it is about facing it head-on and moving forward with courage, determination and resilience.

Temperance is the virtue of self-control and emotional balance. It teaches us to moderate our desires, appetites, and emotions, so that we can live a life of harmony and peace. Temperance reminds us that true fulfillment comes not from indulgence, but from equilibrium. It is about knowing when to act and when to pause, when to push forward and when to reflect.

These Four Virtues are not merely abstract concepts, they are practical tools and virtues that will serve you well as you face the challenges of life. They will not only help you make better decisions, but they will also shape you into a person of integrity, dignity, compassion, and wisdom.

The Challenge of the Career Life

As you embark on your careers and your future paths, remember that learning does not end when you walk across this threshold. Your degree is not just a symbol of what you have learned; it is a tool that will allow you to continue learning, growing, and contributing to society. The next chapter is even more challenging and, in many ways, more real. The real world requires more than just academic knowledge. It demands resilience, creativity, wisdom and a commitment to life-long learning. The world will become your life classroom.

You will undoubtedly face challenges and trials, some of which may seem daunting. Life is an on-going process of learning and exploration. Failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of the process. Every setback teaches us something valuable, every obstacle can help us grow stronger, and every mistake is a chance to learn and develop.

Embracing Life’s Challenges

As you stand on the threshold of this new chapter, take pride in all that you have accomplished. The world needs your talents and skills, your ideas and innovations, your compassion, your courage, and your valuable contribution. Continue to strive to become the best version of yourself and to make a meaningful impact on the world around you. As Nelson Mandela said: “Action without vision is only passing time. Vision without action is merely dreaming. But vision with action can change the world. We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” So let us make our world, our society, our work­places and our families, a better place to live, to work and to grow together.

I also wish to share with you a reflection from Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation : Christus Vivit, art. 142-143, as follows:

“Keep following your hopes and dreams. But be careful about one temptation that can hold us back. It is anxiety. Anxiety can work against us by making us give up whenever we do not see instant results. Our best dreams are only attained through hope, patience and commitment, and not in haste. At the same time, we should not be hesitant, afraid to take chances or make mistakes. Avoid paralysis of the living dead, who have no life because they are afraid to take risks, to make mistakes or to persevere in their commitments. Even if you make mistakes, you can always get up and start over, for no one has the right to rob you of hope.

Dear young people, make the most of these years of your youth. Don’t observe life from a balcony. Don’t confuse happiness with an armchair, or live your life behind a screen. Whatever you do, do not become the sorry sight of an abandoned vehicle! Don’t be parked cars, but dream freely and make good decisions. Take risks, even if it means making mistakes. Don’t go through life anesthetized or approach the world like tourists.

Cast out the fears that paralyze you, so that you don’t become young mummies. Live! Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of the cage, go out and fly! Please, don’t take an early retirement.”

Closing Remarks

I wish to place on record with gratitude and appreciation to Reverend Brothers, administrative teams, faculty and staff members, collaborators and associates, benefactors and parents for their academic expertise, collaboration, industry and dynamic team-work, for their involvement and assistance, in one way or another, towards our students’ education, and the success we witness today.

On behalf of the University Council, Brothers, administrative authority, faculty and staff members of Assumption University, I wish to present my special greetings and felicitations to all graduates of class 53, for the success in your career, the happiness and prosperity in life, the joy of giving and sharing your knowledge and caliber for the common welfare, the courage, serenity and wisdom to bear any hardship and trials that may come in your way, and the achivements in your professional undertakings. I also wish you to persevere in every good things you have learnt while at Assumption University and so acquire more and more successes in your life.

Congratulations, graduates!

Continue to be always the pride and glory of our Alma Mater, Assumption University.

Finally, I earnestly pray the Almighty God, The Supreme Being and Ultimate Truth we believe in, through the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Assumption, to bless and protect you, to guide and accompany you, to sustain and safeguard you from all harms and dangers, now and always!

Rev. Bro. Sirichai Fonseka, f.s.g., Ph.D.
President
Assumption University