The Princess Mother’s Charities Fund of Thailand under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Somdet Phra Srinakarindra Boromarajajonani and B.Grimm recently hosted the 2021 “The Princess Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary Scholarships” award ceremony for nursing students from around the country.
This continues the Princess Mother’s wishes and legacy to support the development of nursing personnel, one of the most crucial professions that greatly contribute to the wellbeing of society and the nation.
This is highlighted more than ever as the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic affects the public and medical staff, be they doctors or nurses, who are the essential front-liners taking care for patients and whose dedication and sacrifice enables all Thais to overcome the crisis together.
Dr. Harald Link, Chairman of B.Grimm and the Princess Mother's Charities Fund of Thailand, states, “B.Grimm has been proud to support this fund to help nursing students for over 30 years. We see that this profession is of aid to the wider public, helping people in every age group and gender. It is therefore of utmost importance that the development of nursing personnel is supported, so as to produce quality and moral nurses who the sick can depend on.”
Throughout all these years, B.Grimm has placed great importance on community service, in order to support opportunities for Thai people. The company has continuously supported various projects and charities, in line with its vision of “doing business with compassion”, which is what it has adhered to for the past 143 years. In so doing, it strives to contribute sustainably for the benefit of people, society and the environment.
Mrs. Puangpetch Boonsai, secretary general of the foundation, says, “The Princess Mother’s Charities Fund of Thailand was founded in 1980. On the occasion of the 90th birthday anniversary of the Princess Mother, the foundation provided scholarships to nursing students at Boromrajonani College of Nursing, Praboromarajchanok Institute, under the Ministry of Public Health called “The Princess Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary Scholarships.”
Initially, 5,000 baht was granted per scholarship per year, but the amount was increased to 8,000 baht in 2007. In 2019, the scholarships increased to 10,000 baht per student. The scholarships are provided throughout their studies from the first year through to the fourth year. In the past 31 years of granting The Princess Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary Scholarships, a total of 6,104 scholarships have been conferred. A total of 1,217 nursing students have graduated. These scholarships is not binding, but it is hoped the students become good nurses who are ready and qualified to help society.”
Ms. Piyachat Praedum, 4th year nursing student from Boromrajonani College of Nursing Napparat Vajira, says, “I would like to thank all supporters and donors for their kindness to us nursing students. I am very proud and honoured to receive The Princess Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary Scholarships on this occasion. I will study hard to become a good nurse, so I can contribute to the greater good and take care of patients with my heart, just like the Princess Mother contributed to help the poor and less fortunate. She is a role model to those in the nursing profession, reminding us of the importance and value of our role in society.”
In 2021, the foundation and B.Grimm conferred a total of 890 Princess Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary Scholarships. These included 690 scholarships granted to the 30 Boromrajonani College across the country, 60 scholarships to Royal Thai Army Nursing College, and another 30 scholarships to Royal Thai Air Force College of Nursing. On top of that, scholarships were conferred to eight Border Patrol Police schools, bringing this year’s scholarships’ total worth to 9,150,000 baht.
Alongside these scholarships, students receive formal training followed by working in the field. Third year, students from Boromrajonani College who are recipients of The Princess Mother’s 90th Birthday Anniversary Scholarships attend a Nurse Camp in Bangkok. All this is done to provide a new generation of nurses opportunities to learn about sacrifice and helping the wider society, all in line with the intent and legacy of the Princess Mother to continue developing the country. To-date, four batches of students have attended, but all activities were suspended over the past two years due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
