Since 1969 - Present
Assumption University
was initially originated from Assumption Commercial College in 1969 as an autonomous higher education institution under the name of Assumption School of Business. In 1972, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, it was officially established as Assumption Business Administration College or ABAC. In May 1975, it was accredited by the Ministry of University Affairs. In 1990, it was granted new status as "Assumption University" by the Ministry of University Affairs.
The University is a non-profit institution administered by the Brothers of St. Gabriel, a worldwide Catholic religious order, founded in France in 1705 by St. Louis Marie De Montfort, devoted to education and philanthropic activities. The congregation has been operating many educational institutions in Thailand since 1901.
The University is an international community of scholars, enlivened by Christian inspiration, engaged in the pursuit of truth and knowledge, serving the human society, especially through the creative use of interdisciplinary approaches and cybertechnology.
Symbols
Sedes Sapientiae : The Seat of Wisdom
It is a tradition handed down for centuries that Christians venerate the Mother of Christ as "the Seat of Wisdom". (Sedes Sapientiae)
According to Christian belief, Christ is the wisdom seated on the Throne. This implies, on the one hand, that the Mother of Christ is the Dwelling Place of the Supreme Wisdom of all science.
On the other hand, the university is the Alma Mater, or our Mother who is also the "Dwelling Place of Knowledge". In this context, "Assumption" which, besides its religious meaning in glorification of the Mother of Christ, has yet another meaning in Thai, namely" the Abode of Abiding Knowledge" Rightly, "Assumption University" is the Seat of Wisdom.
Ashoka Tree
The Assumption University has adopted the Ashoka Tree as its symbol. The Ashoka Tree has as its scientific name "Polyalthea longifolia Benth & Hook. f. var. pandurata" of a Anonanceae Family, a native plant of India and Sri Lanka.
The Rationale behind the choice of the Ashoka Tree
The reasons why the University has taken it as its symbol are the following:
The Ashoka Tree is an ever-green tree. This fact signifies freshness, coolness, and constancy, unwavering with the turning of seasons and the changes of time. Thus, it means that the University is determined to fulfill its mission, giving emphasis to academic excellence together with quality and virtues.
The Ashoka Tree has a most beautiful form, majestically tall, like a stupa.
The Ashoka Tree is a tree with a beneficial name, because it derives from an Indian word "Ashok", after the name of King Ashok, the Great, the most well known king during Buddha's time, full of wisdom both in the secular and religious realms.
Lastly, it is the tree first brought from India into Thailand in 1957 by the St.Gabriel Foundation of Thailand, patrons of this university (by Bro. John Mary). This first tree was planted in the compound of St. Gabriel's College, and the Forestry Department of Thailand named it "St. Gabriel Ashoka" on 15 th December 1969. Botanic Features of the Ashoka Tree
The Ashoka Tree is an ever green tree, of narrow-top can form and majestically tall. The bark is grey; its color becomes darker near the extreme top of the trunk, covered with leaves from the bottom to the top, so thick that the trunk's characteristics can hardly be clearly visible. Its leaves are lanceolate, about 0.5-0.7 inches wide, and 4-9 inches long. The widest part of the leaf is near the base; its rim is smooth, but twisted into a tide-like form. Its flower is white greenish shade, without odor, about 1.5-1.75 inches wide. Its fruit is ellipsoid, about 0.5 inches wide and 0.75 inches long, with smooth shiny skin; its color turns yellow, red, then finally black, when it is ripe. Normally, the ripening of the fruit OCCURS between July and August every year.
Wild Horses
One of AU’s student, Nakorn Kamolsiri, won a gold medal in equestrian sports at the 13th Asian Games in 1998, the first gold medal achieved by an AU student. Inspired by his success and the natural characteristics of horses, Bro. Martin chose horses to be the mascot of AU. Horses exude physical and mental agility, strength and endurance. The statues of five wild horses in the middle of the huge pond, seemingly running towards the academic buildings, are to invoke enthusiasm in the students to study with gusto. They awaken everyone who looks at them as they are portrayed in postures that demonstrate their stamina and swiftness.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, which is AU’s logo, is shown and engraved on many places but the biggest and noticeable one is on the wall at a stairway in the Hall of Fame. It depicts four signs with meaningful content: the ship in the sea symbolizing the sea of life with difficulties that we have to struggle through; the DS Cross which represents Divinity and Science; A.M. and the white lilies to remind students to love their institution as their Alma Mater (Dear Mother) and be as pure in their thoughts, words and mind as the white lilies; and the star and the boat which symbolizes spiritual hope. The four symbols are framed by a shield under which is AU’s motto “LABOR OMNIA VINCIT”, which means: We can overcome all difficulties through working hard.
Brothers of st.Gabriel
The name “the Brothers of St.Gabriel” reminds us of those Brothers who sacrificed their lives, and their mother’s land, in order to help educate and develop our Thai children to grow in the right path. “LABOR OMNIA VINCIT” is the motto of our university. “We can overcome all difficulties through working hard,” or, as the Latin proverb says : “Work conquers all things,”
“The Shield” That Frames The “Four Symbols”
The “Shield” that frames the “Four Symbols” is the “COAT OF ARMS” which stands for “HONOUR,” or “PRIDE and DIGNITY”. It also represents the HONOUR, DIGNITY, PRIDE AND PRAISE that our institution has received from the King who reigns over the Kingdom.
A.M. and The White Lilies
“A.M.” is abbreviated from a Latin word, “ALMA MATER” meaning literally” Dear Mother,” in Latin and indicating “MOTHER COLLEGE” which symbolizes that our institution is like our “Alma Mater”, our own birth place and as a part of our own families. We should love our institution as much as we should love our own parents. Moreover, “A.M” is also abbreviated from “AVE MARIA” (in Latin), the name of Jesus’ Mother. This means that we should love our own Mother with our heart and soul. And the beautiful snow-white lilies are symbols to remind us that we should be clean and sincere with all our thoughts, words and minds, wherever we are
“Life-Boat” Symbolized By “The Ship in The Sea”
“The ship in the Sea” symbolizes that we have to keep on struggling and facing different difficulties in the sea of life, just like the ship or the boat that fights stormy wind, steamy sun and rainy sea in order NOT to capsize in the middle of the sea. This should always remind us that “Life is a Struggle” or “ To Live is to Struggle” against the problems and difficulties and not to give up.
The Star and The Man In a Boat
“The Star and the Boat” symbolizes “Spiritual Hope”, meaning that religion is “the light of Dharma or Absolute Truth” and all the knowledge or sciences we have learned from the institution is “ the Light of the Intelligence”. Altogether they keep conduct and intelligence on track so we are not lost or capsized in the middle of the sea of life. “The man in the boat “reflects us, ourselves, rowing or guiding our own “boat of life.”
“DS” (read “D and S”)
Cross In The Middle With The Cross “D” or Divinity represents “Religion”. We all need religion in life and mind. The Cross is the symbol of “love” and sacrifice “just as Jesus sacrificed his life for our love and he redeemed our sins as he said: “There is no other love greater than sacrificing our life for others.” “S” or “Science” means “Knowledge,” which is the root of man’s ability to reason. Everyone should always aim at gaining more knowledge. the more we learn about mundane knowledge, the more we should also learn about “Dharma” or religious, ethical virtues. Moreover, D|S also comes from the French phrase, “Dieu Seul,” which means “ALL WE DO IS FOR THE GRACE OF GOD ONLY.” It is to remind us of St. Louis Marie de Montfort, the founding Father of the Brothers of St. Gabriel’s motto. With this powerful motto, we have the will to work without yielding to difficulties, at studies as well as at work. We all uphold it up to this day.