2005 Fredericton Convocation
Wangchuck, Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel, His Royal Highness
Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
Orator: Patterson, Stephen E.
Citation:
CONVOCATION, OCTOBER, 2005
H.R.H., TRONGSA PENLOP, JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUCK
to be Doctor of Laws
It has been twenty years since UNB's Faculty of Education entered into a partnership with the governments of Canada and Bhutan to train teachers for the schools of Bhutan. It has been a durable and immensely satisfying collaboration as dozens of young Bhutanese have come to this country to study, and then returned to teach in the modern education system of their tiny mountain kingdom. The benefits have been reciprocal, for as much as UNB has given to Bhutan, it has received twofold in return in the form of friendships, knowledge, and institutional honour.
Celebrating this milestone in our relationship, we today have the privilege of welcoming the Crown Prince of Bhutan, His Royal Highness, the Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He has graciously accepted UNB's offer of an honorary degree, by which he, like so many of his fellow subjects, will become a graduate of this institution. This degree is not only a fitting tribute to twenty years of shared learning, as one people to another, but an entirely appropriate recognition of the many accomplishments and outstanding qualities of the Crown Prince.
His Royal Highness is the son of the present King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth monarch from a Royal Family that has brought their kingdom into the modern era, sharing political power, creating a modern education system, establishing diplomatic ties with other nations, and speaking for peace and development in the less developed parts of the world. His Royal Highness has been trained in the Buddhist traditions and culture of his people and at the same time has embraced what is best in Western education in order to serve his nation. He studied first in Bhutanese schools, and then completed high school and graduated from Gushing Academy and Wheaton College in the United States. In the year 2000, he entered Magdalen College, Oxford, as an undergraduate. While at Oxford, His Royal Highness also completed the Foreign Service Program and the M. Phil. Program in Politics.
Even as he continued his education, His Royal Highness took on Royal duties that included encouraging the youth of Bhutan. He is the Chief Patron of the Scouts Association of Bhutan. He has also taken an active role in developing close ties with India, visiting senior officials of the Indian government at their invitation, and signing a bilateral agreement to create an India-Bhutan Foundation to "enrich and expand" bilateral relations. Combining his interest in youth and in international relations, His Royal Highness represented his nation at the United Nations during the UN special session for children in 2002. There he spoke out for international cooperation in ridding the world of poverty, disease, hunger, and pain among children. In addition to his diplomatic role, His Highness has actively promoted environmental conservation in Bhutan, has served as chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, and as patron of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. While abroad as a student, he became patron of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies and the European Convention of Bhutan Societies. One year ago, His Majesty the King elevated him to the position of Trongsa Penlop. He bears the weight of his responsibilities with loyalty and grace.
In taking this occasion to celebrate the wonderful relationship that UNB has enjoyed with the youth of Bhutan, we would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge the even longer relationship that has flourished between Canada and Bhutan since the end of the Second World War. It was not the Canadian government but a single, intrepid Canadian Jesuit priest named William Joseph Mackey of Montreal who first embarked on the task of introducing modern education in place of the monastic education that was available only to the few. Over a period of forty years, he expanded his single small school to become several, taught mathematics and a western curriculum, opened the first high school, and created opportunities for both poor villagers and leaders of the kingdom, all the while respecting and revering the culture and traditions of the land.
This is the foundation on which UNB was to build, a relationship in which Canada and Canadians already had the affection of the Bhutanese people. In a word, the mantel was passed to UNB. Fittingly, we awarded an honorary degree to Father Mackey in 1994, not long before his death, and today we invoke his memory in this ceremony which he would have been delighted to observe.
Your Royal Highness, the distance between the eastern Himalayas and eastern Canada may seem vast. But your presence with us today reminds us that neither geography or cultural differences pose barriers to friendship and trust. With the greatest respect for the awesome responsibilities that will face you in the future, and gratitude for the warmth and affection you have shown to Canada and Canadians who share many of your values, we salute you.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 4
H.R.H., TRONGSA PENLOP, JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUCK
to be Doctor of Laws
It has been twenty years since UNB's Faculty of Education entered into a partnership with the governments of Canada and Bhutan to train teachers for the schools of Bhutan. It has been a durable and immensely satisfying collaboration as dozens of young Bhutanese have come to this country to study, and then returned to teach in the modern education system of their tiny mountain kingdom. The benefits have been reciprocal, for as much as UNB has given to Bhutan, it has received twofold in return in the form of friendships, knowledge, and institutional honour.
Celebrating this milestone in our relationship, we today have the privilege of welcoming the Crown Prince of Bhutan, His Royal Highness, the Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He has graciously accepted UNB's offer of an honorary degree, by which he, like so many of his fellow subjects, will become a graduate of this institution. This degree is not only a fitting tribute to twenty years of shared learning, as one people to another, but an entirely appropriate recognition of the many accomplishments and outstanding qualities of the Crown Prince.
His Royal Highness is the son of the present King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth monarch from a Royal Family that has brought their kingdom into the modern era, sharing political power, creating a modern education system, establishing diplomatic ties with other nations, and speaking for peace and development in the less developed parts of the world. His Royal Highness has been trained in the Buddhist traditions and culture of his people and at the same time has embraced what is best in Western education in order to serve his nation. He studied first in Bhutanese schools, and then completed high school and graduated from Gushing Academy and Wheaton College in the United States. In the year 2000, he entered Magdalen College, Oxford, as an undergraduate. While at Oxford, His Royal Highness also completed the Foreign Service Program and the M. Phil. Program in Politics.
Even as he continued his education, His Royal Highness took on Royal duties that included encouraging the youth of Bhutan. He is the Chief Patron of the Scouts Association of Bhutan. He has also taken an active role in developing close ties with India, visiting senior officials of the Indian government at their invitation, and signing a bilateral agreement to create an India-Bhutan Foundation to "enrich and expand" bilateral relations. Combining his interest in youth and in international relations, His Royal Highness represented his nation at the United Nations during the UN special session for children in 2002. There he spoke out for international cooperation in ridding the world of poverty, disease, hunger, and pain among children. In addition to his diplomatic role, His Highness has actively promoted environmental conservation in Bhutan, has served as chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, and as patron of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. While abroad as a student, he became patron of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies and the European Convention of Bhutan Societies. One year ago, His Majesty the King elevated him to the position of Trongsa Penlop. He bears the weight of his responsibilities with loyalty and grace.
In taking this occasion to celebrate the wonderful relationship that UNB has enjoyed with the youth of Bhutan, we would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge the even longer relationship that has flourished between Canada and Bhutan since the end of the Second World War. It was not the Canadian government but a single, intrepid Canadian Jesuit priest named William Joseph Mackey of Montreal who first embarked on the task of introducing modern education in place of the monastic education that was available only to the few. Over a period of forty years, he expanded his single small school to become several, taught mathematics and a western curriculum, opened the first high school, and created opportunities for both poor villagers and leaders of the kingdom, all the while respecting and revering the culture and traditions of the land.
This is the foundation on which UNB was to build, a relationship in which Canada and Canadians already had the affection of the Bhutanese people. In a word, the mantel was passed to UNB. Fittingly, we awarded an honorary degree to Father Mackey in 1994, not long before his death, and today we invoke his memory in this ceremony which he would have been delighted to observe.
Your Royal Highness, the distance between the eastern Himalayas and eastern Canada may seem vast. But your presence with us today reminds us that neither geography or cultural differences pose barriers to friendship and trust. With the greatest respect for the awesome responsibilities that will face you in the future, and gratitude for the warmth and affection you have shown to Canada and Canadians who share many of your values, we salute you.
From: Honoris Causa - UA Case 70, Box 4
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