The 2019 edition of the Australian Alumni Awards will go down as one of the most memorable held to date. Apart from a very strong turnout, Gen Saiyud Kerdphol was recognized with the first-ever Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. Gen Saiyud was the first Thai officer to attend an Australian military course and completed the Australian Command and Staff Course at Queenscliff in 1958. He was also a highly-respected former Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Force and a firm advocate of democracy. Gen Saiyud was also the founder of the Thai-Australian Association (TAA) under the Royal Patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gen Saiyud Kerdphol, former Supreme Commander amd former President of the Thai-Australian Association (TAA).
Alumni of the Year Award
Mechai Viravaidya, Founder and Chairman of the Population and Development International (PDI), Population and Community Development Association (PDA) and Mechai Viravaidya Foundation (MVF). Ajarn Mechai is a former politician and activist who promoted condoms, family planning and AIDS awareness in Thailand. Since the 1970s, Mechai has been affectionately known as “Mr. Condom”, and condoms are often referred as “Mechais”. In recent years he devoted his life in empowering and promoting the eradication of poverty through education.
Alumni Leadership Award
Dr. Streerut Thadakant, a leading expert in the field of nursing and midwifery. Graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Master of Science (Midwifery) and the University of Sydney with a Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing).
Alumni Community Engagement Award
Dr. Chantinee Boonchai, a well-known scholar who supports environmental conservation in Phuket. Graduated from University of Queensland with both a Masters and PhD in Environmental Management.
Young Alumni Award
Mr. Kobchart Jaraswimol, established the ASEAN Youth Organisation in Canberra and co-founder of the legal entity of ASEAN Youth Organisation. Graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor’s in Economics.
Alumni Entrepreneurial Award
Mr. Thakorn Juntarnupattanar, the founder and managing director of a Chinese Specialist Consulting company. Graduated from Monash University with Bachelor’s in Computer Science and the University of Melbourne with a Masters in International Business.
