The University Council presents Her Royal Highness with an Honorary Doctorate; 3,587 graduates receive degrees on the first day of the ceremony.
On Thursday, 18 December 2025, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua graciously appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Princess Debaratana Rajasuda, as His Royal Representative. Her Royal Highness proceeded to confer degrees upon the graduates of Khon Kaen University (KKU) for the academic year 2025 at the Golden Jubilee Convention Centre, Khon Kaen University.
Upon the arrival of the Royal motorcade at the front of the Golden Jubilee Convention Centre at 10:25 hrs, Her Royal Highness was respectfully welcomed by key officials. These included Mr. Yuttaporn Pirunsarn, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Province; Mr. Promma Kanaophan, Chief Judge of Khon Kaen Provincial Court; Major General Kittipong Nuangchomphu, Commander of the 23rd Army Circle; Police Major General Anuwat Suwannaphum, Commander of the Khon Kaen Provincial Police; Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the Khon Kaen University Council; Mr. Surapon Petchvara, Vice Chairman of the Khon Kaen University Council; and Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University. They were joined by members of the University Council, Vice Presidents, Deans, Assistant to the Presidents, faculty members, civil servants, staff, and students, who were present to receive the Royal arrival.
Mrs. Nuannarumon Pirunsarn, Vice President of the Khon Kaen Red Cross Chapter, and Dr. Uanjit Panthongviriyakul, the spouse of the University President, respectfully presented garlands to Her Royal Highness.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn subsequently proceeded into the ceremonial hall, where She performed the ceremonial lighting of candles and incense sticks to pay homage to the Phra Buddha Nawarajbopit image. Following this, Her Royal Highness conferred degrees upon three Buddhist monks who had completed their studies.
Assistant Professor Denpong Soodphakdee, Ph.D., Vice President for Education and Digital, was received by Her Royal Highness and presented the programme. Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the University Council, then delivered an address expressing gratitude for His Majesty the King’s graciousness and offered a statement venerating the honour and merits of Her Royal Highness. This was presented on the occasion of the Khon Kaen University Council’s resolution to respectfully bestow upon Her Royal Highness the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Science. Mr. Surapon Petchvara, Vice Chairman of the University Council, then presented the Honorary Doctoral Degree scroll.
Associate Professor Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University, then requested permission for the recipients of the Honorary Doctoral Degrees to be presented before Her Royal Highness. Two distinguished individuals were granted the degree:
Mr. Sala Khunwut received the Honorary Doctor of Music Degree (Music Arts)
Her Royal Highness subsequently presented the following awards to the recipients:
Mr. Suthipong Suriya received the Phra That Phanom Thong Kham Award (Individual Category)
The ceremony continued with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn conferring degrees upon the doctoral, postgraduate, and bachelor graduates from various faculties, including the Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, the Graduate School, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
A total of 3,587 graduates received degrees on the first day of the ceremony.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn delivered a Royal Address to the Khon Kaen University graduates for the academic year 2025:
“His Majesty the King has graciously appointed Me to represent Him in this commencement ceremony of Khon Kaen University for the academic year 2024. I extend my sincere congratulations to all the distinguished honourees and graduates who have achieved this honour and success. I also deeply thank the University for presenting Me with the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Agricultural and Environmental Science.
A graduate of the university is a person of Panya, meaning wisdom or intelligence, cultivated through learning and considered thought. They are therefore highly regarded as graduates. From this point forward, each of you will apply the knowledge and intelligence accumulated from your education to guide your lives and careers, striving for advancement and steadfast stability. To achieve this, graduates must always bear in mind that even though you have attained a high level of education, this does not mean that learning should cease. It is essential for everyone to dedicate themselves to continuous learning and self-improvement to become increasingly knowledgeable and intelligent. This knowledge and intelligence encompasses not only academic knowledge and awareness of new technologies but also the clear wisdom to discern right from wrong and understand what should be done and what should be avoided.
If graduates cultivate and refine their knowledge and intelligence in this manner, they will possess true Panya. They will be able to utilise this wisdom to navigate their lives and careers, overcome all obstacles, and achieve sustained prosperity. Each individual will succeed in building their status, becoming valued human resources who will help society and the nation progress sustainably, possessing culture, and remaining a civilised, prosperous, and happy home for us all.
In the name of His Majesty the King, I extend My best wishes for happiness and prosperity to all new graduates and everyone attending this ceremony.”
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn proceeded to the lobby of the Golden Jubilee Convention Centre. The University President reported to Her Royal Highness and requested permission to present the winners of various contests to receive Royal Trophies:
- Three representatives of the winners of the 7th Kaen E-San Watt Creative Youth Drama Contest (from Tan Som Pattana School, Ubon Ratchathani Province) received one Royal Trophy.
- Four representatives of the winners of the 2025 Dao Rung Luk Thung Mor Din Daeng High School Luk Thung Music Contest received one Royal Trophy.
- Eighty representatives of the winners of the 23rd (Academic Year 2024) and 24th (Academic Year 2025) Northeastern Thai Music Contest received 24 Royal Trophies.
Subsequently, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn departed the Golden Jubilee Convention Centre in the Royal motorcade.
Khon Kaen University Academic Year 2025 Overview
For the academic year 2024, a total of 8,499 graduates were approved for degrees at various levels, including 305 doctoral degrees, 145 higher graduate diplomas, 992 master’s degrees, and 7,057 bachelor’s degrees. The Khon Kaen University degree conferral ceremony for the academic year 2025 is scheduled to be held over two days, 18–19 December 2025.
The year 2025 marks the 62nd anniversary of Khon Kaen University’s establishment. The University continues to execute its mission under the vision of becoming a “world-class research and development university,” having been recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation as a leading institution in global research development. The University also continues to receive international acknowledgement for its support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the framework of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
Khon Kaen University remains committed to the goals of “Green University – KKU Smart City – Carbon Neutrality,” while reinforcing its role as a regional and ASEAN centre for research, educational innovation, and medical and health solutions, in line with its core value of “Social Devotion” and the Royal aspiration for stable and sustainable national development.
Concurrently, Khon Kaen University maintains its vital role as a “Centre for Research and Educational Innovation” for the regional and ASEAN community, and as a “Centre for Medical Services and Health Solutions in the Northeast.” The University promotes innovation for community strength and public well-being, linking these outcomes to sustainable improvements in quality of life, which aligns with the University’s core value of “Social Devotion” and upholds the Royal aspiration for stable and sustainable national development.
ข่าว : เบญจมาภรณ์ มามุข
ภาพ : กองสื่อสารองค์กร / ฝ่ายประชาสัมพันธ์พิธีพระราชทานปริญญาบัตร
