Feast Day of Bro. Prathip M. Komolmas “A Man of Faith and Intuition”
December 22, 1933
He was born in Bangkok and spent his earliest years at his mother’s village, but later returned to Bangkok to study and to be near the church. His early education was in the hands of the Catholic sisters with the support of priests.
1951, His Religious Life
During his student days at St. Gabriel’s College, he had witnessed the loving care and thoughtful supervision of the St. Gabriel Brothers which had a strong influence on him. After finishing school, he then decided to devote his life to the service of his fellow humans following the footsteps of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. His determination to enter religious life was encouraged and supported by Rev. Bro. Michel Leduc, the pioneer of the Novitiate of the Sacred Heart, India.
His Various Activities at Novitiate of the Sacred Heart, India
1958, Served as Asst. Director at Assumption College Sriracha
He finished a B.A. Degree in Economics from Loyola College of the University of Madras, India, in 1958. He then returned to Thailand. His first assignment in Thailand was Asst. Director at ACS where he was a formator of young novices. At the same time, he also taught science and mathematics.
1960-1961, Served as Administrator at Saint Louis School Chachoengsao and also Taught Geography and History
1961-1965, Appointed as Principal of Assumption College Thonburi
He was appointed the first principal of Assumption College Thonburi from May 15, 1961 to June 23, 1965. During this period, he had done a lot of improvements to the school such as acquiring new facilities: a number of new buildings, initiating environmental care and academic development.
1965-1976, Served as Principal and Director of St. Gabriel’s College
During his tenure as Principal and Director of St. Gabriel’s College, he was credited with following achievements of the school :
- Initiated annual sports “College Day”
- Set up Teachers’ Welfare Fund
- School Auditorium built
- Science Building constructed
- Construction of the Gymnasium and improvement of school fences
- Construction of Nursing and Nutrition Building
-Besides, he had initiated the construction of “Catholic Association of Parents and Teachers” building. A teaching manual was developed to serve as guidelines for teachers.
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1967: Received an outstanding school award from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. |
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February 11, 1969: His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej presided over the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Gabriel’s College. |
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October 4, 1972: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit presided over the opening ceremony of “Mother’s Day Project” at De Monfort Auditorium. |
At St. Gabriel’s College with his students
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April-September 1974
This was the beginning period of ABAC. At its early stages, ABAC had also experienced its teething problems. The most crucial problem then was student protest which resulted in the resignation of the Rector (Bro. Somphong Jirananda). Bro. Martin then had to assume temporarily position of Acting Rector. He tried to address all problems until everything could return to normal.
To ensure smooth operation, he had invited 4 experienced professors from NIDA to assist in the running of ABAC. Later he had invited Prof. Dr. Choop Karnjanaprakorn who was retiring from NIDA to become a Rector on October 1, 1974. Dr. Choop had set up work systems according to the official standard which was beneficial to the growth and advancement of ABAC.
1978 - 2002, Served as Rector of Assumption University
Bro. Martin, a Stanford graduate, took over the presidency of ABAC when Dr. Choop Kajanaprakorn left in 1979 to head the then newly created Ministry of Science and Technology under Prime Minister Kriangsak Chomanand government. He designed and implemented massive construction projects for new classroom buildings and facility expansions, including the ultra-modern Suvarnabhumi Campus, to accommodate growing enrollments and expansions into new program offerings, and furthermore upgraded ABAC from a private college status to a comprehensive research and teaching private university, renaming ABAC as Assumption University .
1980 – 1995, During his tenure, many college buildings and monuments were erected
1980, He initiated and pioneered the opening of Graduate Programs, the College Council had approved in principle for ABAC to initiate courses for MBA level.
Later in 1984 the Bureau of University Affairs approved ABAC to develop course for MBA level.
MBA level was later officially recognized. ABAC was the first academic institution that introduced and included these graduate courses in its program since August 20, 1985.
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April 11, 1994, Signed the contract for the construction of Suvarnabhumi Campus
October 26, 2004
Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Religious Profession
June 27, 2010
Received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
He was conferred the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, a high honor bestowed on him by the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, marking His Holiness’ Fifth Year of Pontificate, at Assumption Cathedral. The Decoration was performed by His Grace Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Papal Nuncio to the Kingdom of Thailand, at the end of Holy Mass in honor of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
AWARDS
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October 28, 2003, Received the “Princess Prem Purachatra Award” |  |
October 15, 2021, Received the “Richard Beckhard Award” in The Third Organization Development World Summit (ODWS2021). |
Receiving Numerous Royal Thai Decorations
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| 1974 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand |
1986 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant |
1988 Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand |
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| 2004 He was graciously bestowed the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej. |
2010 Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn |
Receiving International Orders and Decorations
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1994 He was accorded Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Couronne in recognition of his outstanding services to education by Belgium Ambassador, at the Embassy of Belgium. |
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2006 He was accorded “Commandeur dans l’ Ordre des Palmes Académiques” in recognition of his outstanding services to education by His Excellency Mr. Laurent Aublin, French Ambassador, at French Embassy. |
He was awarded honorary degrees from numerous universities in Thailand and several foreign countries
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| 1997: Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa, London South Bank University, United Kingdom |
1998: Doctoris Honoris Causa, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti |
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| 2001: Doctor of Humane Letters, Loyola College of Maryland, U.S.A. |
2002: Doctor of Educational Management, De La Salle University, Philippines |
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| 2005: Doctor of Educational Management and Administration, Prince of Songkhla University |
2006: Doctor of Educational Management, Christian University |
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| 2009 : Doctor of Arts,Hatyai University |
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Educational Background:
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* Secondary School Teacher Diploma, Ministry of Education, Thailand, 1959. * B.A. (Economics) Loyola College, University of Madras, 1958. * M.A. (International Development Education), Stanford University, 1978. * M.A. (Social Sciences in Education), Stanford University, 1980. * Ph.D. (Organization Development & Planning), * Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute, 1985. * Post Doctoral Studies at Université de Fribourg, Stanford University, * University of Warwick and Oxford University. |
Some Publications about Rev. Bro. Dr. Prathip M. Komolmas
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Continue reading more information from Bro. martin’s Collection Website: http://www.library.au.edu/index.php/martin.html
At Assumption University of Thailand
The award, places, and swimming contest of Assumption University of Thailand are named by St. Martin de Tours and Rev. Bro. Prathip M. Komolmas;
St. Martin de Tours
Award Excellence in Performance Award
St. Martin de Tours, for whom St. Martin de Tours Award is named, was a Roman soldier raised in Italy. Finding God, he converted to Christ and became an unwilling soldier. Later he was a disciple of Hilaire of Poitiers and, still later, became the Bishop of Tours. The award was also named in memory of Brother Martin de Tours, one of the five Brothers who first entered Siamon October 20, 1901.
This award is designated for lecturers and administrators: who discharged their duties and responsibilities conscientiously and superbly: who exhibited high standards of efficiency, excellence and quality in teaching, counseling, and duties such as composition of test materials, framing of examination papers and other academic related factors. The award is also for non-teaching staff who add to the University learning process.
- The following was the first group of seven instructors who were granted with “The St. Martin de Tours Award” on December 24, 1997 at the Chapel of the Annunciation, Hua Mak Campus.
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| Ms. Hiroko Sano | Mr. Ko Ko Lay |
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| Mr. Somprot Sarakosas | Ms. Nucharee Supatn |
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| Mr. Richard A. Brunner | Mr. Myint Thein | Dr. Win Tin |
The Martin de Tours Hall (M Building)
Always, in need and in quest of space, ABAC had set a wooden building on a swampy spot beyond the new toilets. It lodged a couple of class-rooms and the College Clinic. Viewed from the pond side, it looked quite shabby. On the Other hand, the Student Affairs Department had no place of its own; the MBA program was expanding and other programs were in the making: CRIB could hardly breathe in its small quarters, between the Office of the Dean of the MBA and the MBA secretariat, then the Continuing Education Program Office. To move CRIB to the fourth floor of the St. Gabriel building meant that the student council and all related activities had to find another place. The wooden building location was the ideal place for all these requirements. Dr. Subin Pinkhayan, Minister of University Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony in February 1987 and praised the idea of putting up a building to serve the students only.
Martin Rangsan Bridge (มาร์ตินรังสรรค์)
The name of the bridge is the "Creative Martin" (Martin Rangsan Bridge). While this bridge was named in dedication to Bro. Martin who designed and supervised construction of Suvarnabhumi Campus, it also serves to remind AU graduates that they must be creative and innovative in their work-life in today's world, the success and perhaps even survival of individuals, companies, and nations as a whole rests on the ability to think and act creatively. Therefore, creativity and innovation have always been recognized as a sure path to success What you learned from the world classroom will give you insight, new thoughts and ideas for new productivity.
Martin’s Cup
As Rev. Bro. Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas is fond of swimming as a sport, he had an initiative for AU to host a swimming contest called the Martin’s Cup. The events take place at Assumption University’s Aquatic Center, Suvarnabhumi Campus, and are organized by the Center for Sports and Physical Fitness, Students Affairs, Assumption University.
The Swimming Championships Martin’s Cup to create strengthen external swimming network and to maintain recognition on the competition in swimming sport circles. The competition has been organized for 18 times, the first time was organized on May 3-4, 2003. At the beginning, it was organized for only talented swimmers.
The Marin Cup swimming competition has been certified by the competition statistics from the Thailand Swimming Association since the 2nd time competition in 2002 to the present. In the 4th competition in 2004, competition statistics were recorded this program for the first time and used recorded statistic in the competition to qualify in the annual Thailand Swimming Championships. Therefore, nowadays Martin's cup is one of the competitions event that all talented swimmers join the competition. Each swimmer from those clubs can perform their performances in various categories.
