Dean’s List Award

The International Buddhist College (IBC) organized a simple ceremony for the Dean’s List Award for the First Semester of the Academic Year 2024/2025 on 8 January 2025. The aim of IBC is to promote the quality of its students in both academic and conduct, thereby fostering personality development. IBC firmly believes that conduct is purified by knowledge (wisdom) and knowledge is purified by conduct (sīlaparidhotāpaññā, paññāparidhotaṁ sīlaṁ), and that these two must be developed together to complete a student’s education.

IBC Rector, Assoc. Professor Dr. Mattia Salvini in his speech, mentioned:
"I do not exactly know what could be encouraging for you to hear, and probably I don't have anything very useful to say. I have thought of some way to connect this event, which is in some sense a worldly matter, with something more specifically Buddhist. Since this is called the 'Dean's Award,' it has come to my mind that the word 'Dean' is, in Thai, 'Gaṇapati,' who is also an important Buddhist deity. Therefore, I will now chant a short text on Gaṇapati, taught by the Buddha."

Before concluding his speech, he welcomed and introduced Dr. Ooi Eng Jin, a new lecturer who joined the IBC team on 1 January 2025 as an academic staff member, in addition to holding the title of Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies. Dr. Eng Jin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to join IBC and looked forward to getting to know all IBC members soon.

Before the presentation of the Dean’s List Award, Ven. Dr. Zhen Ti shared the award's requirements and a recent announcement by IBC Council Chairman, Ven. Dr. Wei Wu, regarding updates to the organizational structure:
• Rector and Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts: Assoc. Professor Dr. Mattia Salvini
• Dean, Faculty of Graduate School: Dr. Fa Qing
• Dean, Faculty of Buddhist Studies: Dr. Ooi Eng Jin

The students who achieved the Dean’s List Award for the First Semester of the Academic Year 2024/2025 are as follows:
1. Ven. Javana (B.A. in Buddhist Textual Studies)
2. Ms. Zar Zar Tun (B.A. in Buddhist Textual Studies)
Congratulations to both awardees! We hope this achievement serves as motivation for other students to excel in both academic and ethical performance.

Thanks to all members who participated in this simple yet meaningful event.