AIT Newsletter in November.2019
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The document summarizes events celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). It discusses: 1) AIT's growth from a small engineering program in 1959 to an international institution focusing on engineering, environment, and management. 2) HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, AIT's first royal alumna, presiding over the anniversary celebrations and inducting new members to AIT's Hall of Fame. 3) A Presidents' Forum held at AIT where university presidents discussed innovation in social impact research, global collaboration, and campus sustainability.
AIT Newsletter in November.2019
- 1. 1NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th Asian Institute of Technology NOVEMBER 2019 F rom thesmallbatchofstudentswhobeganstudying engineering in a quaint corner of Bangkok in 1959, over the past six decades, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has emerged as a premier international institution, focusing on engineering, environment, and management. Honoring AIT's success story on the occasion of its 60th anniversary was Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who graciously presided over the celebrations on 24 October 2019. Princess Sirindhorn is AIT’s first royal alumna, having obtained a certificate in Remote Sensing Technology from AIT in 1984. She was greeted by Dr. Subin Pinkay- an, Chair, AIT Board of Trustees; Dr. Sahas Bunditkul, Chair, AIT Executive Committee; Dr. Eden Y. Woon, President, AIT; and Mrs. Maria Fe Nuestro Ferriols, President, AIT Alumni Association. As the first inductee into AIT’s Hall of Fame, Princess INSIDE ISSUE.. . AIT 60th Anniverdary Special...................................................2-6 Global Engagements/Partnerships...........................................7 Seminar/Workshops/Conferences............................................8 Backpage.................................................................................9 HRH PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN GRACES AIT’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Sirindhorn also awarded certificates of appreciation to nine new inductees into the Hall of Fame: Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Dr. Somchet Thinaphong, Dr. Lon- Gyi Chen, Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, Dr. Bindu Nath Lohani, Mr. Somprasong Boonyachai, Mr. W. J. L. S. Fernando, Dr. Tong-Ki Woo, and Prof. Kam-Tim Chau, in whose honor a Hall of Fame exhibition was organized. Given the critical role Colorado State University (CSU) played in the formation of the SEATO Graduate School of Engineering, AIT’s precursor, befittingly, CSU President Prof. Joyce McConnell delivered the keynote address. President Woon said:“Every organization must move for- ward, and no organization will succeed in a sustainable manner by standing still and basking in past glory.” He stated that Innovation, Internationalization, Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, Stakeholders, and Support (I2 E2 S2 ) are the Strategic Focus as we “Transform AIT.” 60THANNIVERSARY SPECIALEDITION
- 2. 2NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th AIT 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL How have universities injected innovation into your research in social impact areas? How do uni- versity collaborate globally with academia, governments, multina- tionals, and non-profit organisa- tions in social impact research? How do university maintain a sus- tainable campus both in teaching and in campus operations? These three core questions towards innovation, globalisation, and sus- tainability were the focus of the 16 University Presidents and Vice Chancellors who assembled at AIT to share their prescient thoughts at the Presidents’ Forum held on 24 October 2019. As the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) celebrates six- ty years of existence, it realizes the tectonic shifts in the field of higher education. Global changes make it mandatory for universities to change and transform themselves. Transforming AIT under the over- arching umbrella of “Social Impact with Innovation” was the topic pos- ited before the speakers byAITPresi- dent Dr Eden Y Woon. Continuing with traditional ways can no longer ensure sustainability, and universities have to be entrepreneurial in nature, President Woon emphasized that in- terconnectedness among innovation in social impact research, internation- alisation and sustainable campus are the key to the success of higher edu- cation institutions in the 21st century. “How university collaborates glob- ally with academia, governments, multinationals, and non-profit organ- isations in social impact research” was the first theme with the session being chaired by Prof. Bundhit Eua- arporn, President, Chulalongkorn University. Sharing their thoughts in this session was Prof. Zhou Yu, President, Harbin Institute of Tech- nology; Prof. Kazuya Masu; Presi- dent, Tokyo Institute of Technology; Prof. Umran S. Inan; President, Koç University; and Prof. Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, President, University of Tehran. Dr. Denis Simon, Executive Vice Chancellor, Duke Kunshan Univer- President Dr. Eden Y Woon at the Presidents Forum organized on 25 October 2019 as a part of AIT's 60th Anniversary Celebrations. AIT Presidents Forum Explores Social Impact with Innovation sity, chaired the second panel on “How university collaborates glob- ally with academia, governments, multinationals, and non-profit organ- isations in social impact research?”. He was joined by an illustrious panel comprising of Prof. Julia Bucking- ham, Vice-Chancellor and President, Brunel University London; Prof. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Vice- Chancellor, Kathmandu University; Prof. Kil-Choo Moon, President, University of Science and Tech- nology, Korea; Prof. Hideo Ohno President, Tohoku University; and Prof. Mohamed Ibrahim bin Abdul Mutalib, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Teknologi Petronas. Following innovation and collabo- ration, which was discussed in the first two sessions, sustainability was the theme of the third session with the topic being: “How univer- sity maintains a sustainable cam- pus both in teaching and in campus operations?” Chaired by Prof. Jaak Aaviksoo, Rector, Tallinn Univer- sity of Technology; and the august panel included Dr. Roger Chen, President, I-Shou University; Prof. Tan Eng Chye, President, National University of Singapore; Datin Dr. Anita B Z Abdul Aziz, Vice-Chan- cellor, Universiti Brunei Darus- salam; and Prof. Kyosuke Nagata, President, University of Tsukuba.
- 3. 3NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th AIT 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL AIT 60th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony: 24 October 2019
- 4. 4NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th AIT 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL AIT Alumni Open House: 25 October 2019 AIT 60th Anniversary Thai-Style Gala Dinner: 23 October 2019
- 5. 5NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th A record fifty-four (54) organizations joined the AIT Career Fair on 30 October 2019 at the AIT Conference Center. Thirty students also exhibited their research posters. AIT 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL 1. AIT 60th Anniversary flag, 2. Governing Body Meeting of AIT Alumni Association, 3. Inauguration of LED E-Boards, 4. President Woon hands over token of appreciation to Prof. Kyosuke Nagata, President, University of Tsukuba, 5. AIT Alumni Open House, 6. Openning of Smart Classroom in AIT Solutions. AIT 60th Anniversary (More Events & Celebrations) AIT Career Fair: 30 October 2019
- 6. 6NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th AIT 60TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL AIT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CHINA CHAPTER CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE AIT BELT & ROAD RESEARCH CENTER During the 60th Anniversary celebration the AIT Alum- ni Association China Chapter contributed 10 Million Thai Baht for the future AIT Belt & Road Research Center, to be established later this year. Prof. Biliang Hu, President of AITAA China Chapter signed the agreement with AIT President Dr. Eden Y Woon on 25 October 2019. Prof Hu was accompanied by almost 70 Chinese alumni. This donation is to support future AIT Belt & Road Conferences, AIT Alumni China Chapter Belt & Road Masters Fellowships and AIT Alumni China Chapter Belt & Road Post-Doctoral Fellowships, as well as for some research funding. AIT President Eden Y. Woon thanked Prof. Biliang Hu and the Chinese alumni present for the initiative taken in raising funds towards the establishment of the AIT Belt & Road Research Center. Many Alumni Donate to AIT during the 60th Anniversary Celebrations on 23-25 October During 23 – 25 October 2019, many alumni returned home to celebrate AIT’s 60th Anniversary at their Alma Mater. Anumber of them took this occasion to contribute to the operation ofAIT. Just during those three days,AIT received donor commitments of 17 Million Thai Baht as well as in kind contributions. These generous donation comes from the Alumni Chapters, individual alumni, Board of Trustees member, 2019 Hall of Fame inductee, Private Sectors, Government, staff and friends. AIT would like to acknowledge and thank the following donors who used the occasion of the 60th Anniversary homecoming to contribute: • AITAA Bangladesh Chapter • AITAA Bhutan Chapter • AITAA China Chapter • AITAA Hong Kong & Macau Chapter • AITAA ROC Chapter • AITAA Sri Lanka Chapter • AITAA Vietnam Chapter • Mr. Anthony S.F. Chiu • Mr. Bun Wong • Mr. Chen Ren Chung • Government of Nepal • Mr. Michael and Mrs. Queenie Chan • Dr. Rafiul Ahad and Mrs. Frances Kasala Ahad • Mr. Shih-Yi George Chen • Mr. Suk-oh Kim • Mr. Susanto Halim • Dr. Tong Ki Woo • Mr. Tsai, Yau-Tang • Dr. Varaporn Jaovisidha
- 7. 7NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th GLOBAL ENGAGEMENTS / PARTNERSHIPS INCOMING OUTGOING AGREEMENTS & PARTNERSHIPS MoASigning with Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), China, for International Unified Bachelor and Master Degree Program 18 October 2019 MoU Signing with University of Wollongong (UOW) inAustralia 21 October 2019 MoU Signing with Brunel University 23 October 2019 MoASigning with Kathmandu University, Nepal, for International Unified Bachelor's and Master's Degree Program 24 October 2019 MoU Signing with Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia 24 October 2019 MOU with Tra Vinh University of Viet Nam for Professional Master’s in Environment and Sustainable Development 15 October 2019 Executive Director of the National InnovationAgency, Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana 7 October 2019 Prof. Mahmoud NiliAhmadabadi, President, University of Tehran 23 October 2019 Delegation from Harbin Institute of Technology, China 24 October 2019 Delegation from TusHoldings Co. Ltd, China 30 October 2019 Meeting at USTB President Prof. Renshu Yang 18 October 2019 Reception by China Scholarship Council 18 October 2019 IGSF: International Graduate Scholarships Fair 19 October 2019 PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO CHINA
- 8. 8NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES Seminar on “Data Science Use Cases for Lifestyle Banking” by Dr. Boontawee Suntisrivaraporn 2 October 2019 First Lecture ofAIT Executive Masterclass Series 2019-2020 on “How to make better decisions” by Chris Lobello 18 October 2019 Lecture on "Decision- Making: How to Make Sense of Complex Problems" by Ragil Ratnam, Executive Coach and Strategic Leadership Consultant 9 October 2019 Seminar on "MEMS for Bio MedicalApplication" by Prof. D.V.Rama Koti Reddy,AU College of Engineering,Andhra University, India 16 October 2019 Talk on "The Role of Science and Technology in Solving the World's Biggest Problems" by Mr. Ludovic Sinet, Technology Research Lead, Good Tech Lab 8 October 2019 Talk on " Bridging the Tech Talent GAPinAsia " by Djoann Fal, CEO & Co Founder of GetLinks 15 October 2019 International Symposium on Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability andAdaptation:Asian Perspective 16 - 18 October 2019 AIT Executive Masterclass Series Lecture on "Innovation in Healthcare" by SusieA. Ruff 28 October 2019 Seminar on "Ethics and Privacy in NPL" byArthit Suriyawongkul 30 October 2019
- 9. 9NOVEMBER 2019 www.ait.ac.th Editor: Bajinder Pal Singh bajinder@ait.ac.th Designer: Nadhika Mendhaka Photos: Paitoon Tinnapong Samphat Semathong For feedback, contact Office of Public Affairs opa@ait.ac.th BACKPAGE Follow AIT at Website https://www.ait.ac.th Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AITasia YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/aitasia Twitter https://twitter.com/aitasia LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/school/asian-institute-of-technology Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/aitasia Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aitasia Watch online on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt_Mq-NqYs0 Book by AIT Authors News You Can Use AIT's New Corporate Video A Book titled "An Interdisciplinary Approach for Disaster Resilience and Sustainability" was released by President Dr. Eden Y Woon on 28 October 2019. Co-edited by Dr. Indrajit Pal and Dr. Sangam Shrestha of AIT, the book focuses on the multidisciplinary and multisectoral nature of disaster risk reduction. It includes selected papers presented at the international expert forum on “Mainstreaming Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction in Education,” held atAIT from 1–2 December 2017.