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Population Council President Awarded Honorary Doctorate from Mahidol University

Peter J. Donaldson recognized for significant role he has played in development of population and social science research in Thailand

BANGKOK, THAILAND (6 July 2010) — Mahidol University has awarded Population Council president Peter J. Donaldson an honorary doctorate in demography in recognition of the significant role he has played in the development of population and social science research in Thailand.

Donaldson's ties to Thailand and to Mahidol University are long-standing. He was among the first foreign demographers at Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research, where he began his research career in 1971 as a Frederickson Fellow. After two years at the university, Donaldson took up his first post with the Population Council and served as a member of the research and evaluation staff at Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. Returning to Thailand in 1989, Donaldson served for four years as senior associate and regional director of South and East Asia for the Population Council. He has been a member of the advisory committee of Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research since 1997.

Professor Sureeporn Punpuing, director of the Institute for Population and Social Research at Mahidol University, said, "Peter is a distinguished demographer and valued friend of Mahidol University and the Institute for Population and Social Research. He played an important role in the development of policy-oriented population studies in Thailand."

"I'm flattered and deeply honored by this recognition, which reflects the Population Council's contributions to Thailand, not mine," said Donaldson. "I have learned much more from my collaboration with colleagues at Mahidol University than I have contributed."

Donaldson is a demographer and social scientist. In addition to his population research in Thailand, he has served as director of development and government relations at FHI, director of the Committee on Population at the National Research Council, and president of the Population Reference Bureau. Before becoming Population Council president in 2005, he was the Council's vice president, International Programs Division. He is the author, co-author, or editor of six books and over 60 scientific and popular articles. He sits on numerous boards and advisory committees. Donaldson has bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology from Fordham University and holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Brown University.

"Peter is an outstanding leader in the field of international development," said Mark A. Walker, chairman of the Population Council's board of trustees. "We are proud of his achievements at the Population Council, both in and outside of Thailand, and we congratulate him on this honor."

The honorary doctorate was presented by Princess Maha Chakri Sirinthorn in a ceremony in Bangkok, 5 July 2010.

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The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues—from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization governed by an international board of trustees.

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Media contact

Diane Rubino: drubino@popcouncil.org; +1 212 339 0617