Royal Thai Embassy Donates Books to VCUQatar Library

Ambassador Soonthorn was welcomed by Dean Akel I. Kahera, Ph.D., Craig Anz, Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs and Hissa Al Garni, director of strategic engagement and business development.

The embassy donated a fascinating range of 13 books on Thai art, design, architecture and culture to VCUQatar’s library. The books will be added to the library’s growing collection of more than 45,000 items.

Dean Kahera thanked the Ambassador for the special donation of books to the library. “I am very grateful to His Excellency Ambassador Soonthorn for this donation. Thai art and design have been influential for many of our students and faculty who have traveled to Thailand for cultural immersion and further study,” said Dean Kahera “I know these books will become treasured additions to our collection.”

Ambassador Soonthorn stated, “Donating books to educational institutions in Qatar is one of the embassy’s priorities this year.” The ambassador further expressed the embassy’s support for any activity organized by the university in Qatar or Thailand.  

Ambassador Soonthorn and Dean Kahera discussed issues of mutual importance including expanding opportunities between VCUQatar and select art and design universities in Thailand to result in further study abroad opportunities and international collaborations.

VCUQatar has a rich tradition of cross-cultural learning opportunities with Thailand. Most recently students from the interior design department visited northern Thailand in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for a cultural immersion and service-learning project where they designed and built housing for teachers. In 2014, the department of graduate studies welcomed a representative from Thailand’s Sasin Center for Sustainability Management who delivered a lecture on sustainability at the Interdisciplinary Design Symposium hosted by VCUQatar.

To view the donated books, community members may visit the VCUQatar Library open Sunday-Thursday from 8am-4pm or call 4402 0587.