Tribune News Network
Doha
QATAR National Library (QNL) has received a wide range of books about Thailand from the Royal Thai Embassy. The donation was presented at a special ceremony in Education City recently.
The contribution to QNL, part of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), includes several books about the King of Thailand, HM Bhumibol Adulyadej, and his Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. Other books, offered in English and Thai, depict the history of the region, religious teachings, arts and architecture, cuisine, tourism and language learning resources for foreigners.
Commenting on the donation, Ambassador of Thailand to Qatar HE Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum said:"We believe that the role of Qatar National Library will be to serve as knowledge hub. During the last visit to QNL, undertaken by my predecessor, the embassy was impressed with the team's work and their keen interest in obtaining more books about Thailand. Thus, we have provided more books featuring many aspects of Thai culture to the library. We strongly hope they will enrich the existing collections and complement the goal of human resource development under Qatar's National Vision 2030."
In response, Dr Claudia Lux, Project Director of QNL, said:"Qatar National Library extends its gratitude to the Royal Thai Embassy for donating these precious materials to our growing collection. As a public library, QNL serves as a beacon of knowledge for the residents of Qatar, and acquiring these books will help introduce the public to the culture. Furthermore, it will be of great value to the Thai community here in Qatar."
Dr Lux added:"The cultural ties between Qatar and Thailand are strong, distinguished and play a great role in promoting cultural and historical exchanges between the two countries. QNL has welcomed a number of high profile Thai officials and diplomats over the last few years, including HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, who visited the QNL's Heritage Collection building in 2012; HE Panyarak Poolthup, a former Thai ambassador, who gifted a 200 year-old copy of the Holy Qur'an to QNL in 2013; as well as a visit by HE Piroon Laismit, Thailand's former ambassador, who donated a collection of valuable Thai books in 2015."
During the visit, Chaiyindeepum also visited QF's visitor centre where he received a presentation about QF and the work it does to nurture the future leaders of Qatar. After the presentation, the delegation, from an open-air platform, viewed the unique landscape formed by the education and research buildings of Education City.
QNL is committed to QF's vision of unlocking human potential by providing resources to students, researchers and the wider community of Qatar, as well as preserving the nation's history for future generations through its prized Heritage Collection and international partnerships.