Taiwan Premier reminisces AIT, supports AIT Entrance Gate as a Gift to his Alma Mater

President Worsak awarded Honorary Doctorate by SHIATS

AIT alumna honored with US Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award

K-Water President visits AIT, discusses water center and network

AIT Library Modernization Fundraising Campaign crosses 40 Million Baht

Photo Gallery of some of the donations in March 2015

Mitsubishi Rayon provides diploma program scholarship for staffer

AIT is an important partner: UNESCO-IHE Vice Rector

AIT Distinguished Research Awards announced

Team AIT students are 2015 debating champs at FAO

AIT faculty member contributes to UN World Water Development Report

AIT students present their work in France

News You Can Use

Follow AIT

Download QR

Credits

Taiwan Premier reminisces AIT, supports AIT Entrance Gate as a Gift to his Alma Mater

Taiwan Premier H.E. Dr. Mao Chi-kuo (left) with Prof. Worsak Kanok Nukulchai.

Premier addressing the delegates. Seated next to him is Mr. George Shi-Yi Chen (left) and Dr. Subin Pinkayan (right).

Dinner hosted by AIT Alumni Association for Taiwan Premier.

Premier of Taiwan H.E. Dr. Mao Chi-kuo reminisced on his student days and long association with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) during a dinner reception organized on 21 March 2015 in Taiwan. He also announced the sponsorship for creating a new AIT entrance gate, and supported the proposal to offer student scholarships and faculty secondment from Taiwan. AIT Hall of Fame member Mr. George Shi-Yi Chen will chair the task force on the new AIT gate.

Meeting with Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees, and AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, the Premier reiterated his pride at being an AIT alumnus. Recalling how he was interviewed and selected to study at AIT, Dr. Mao said: “The multinational environment at AIT helped shape my life both professionally and personally.”

Dr. Subin reiterated his vision of a sustainable AIT, and updated him on the niche programs that AIT plans to offer. Prof. Worsak highlighted his plans to revamp AIT’s infrastructure and modernize the AIT Library.

President Worsak awarded Honorary Doctorate by SHIATS

Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (extreme right) being awarded Honorary Doctorate by H.E. Mr. Ram Naik (center).

AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) at the 10th Convocation of Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHIATS), Allahabad, India.  The degree was conferred on 18 March 2015 by H.E. Mr. Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, India.

The citation announcing the award of Honoris Causa reads: “For his wisdom and dedication, as a scholar and top administrator of an international institute with the noble

goal to foster international cooperation in this Asian Century, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHIATS) is proud to name Professor

Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai - Honoris Causa Doctor of Science (D.Sc.).” The entire citation can be read at this link: http://www.ait.ac.th/news-andevents/2015/news/citation. worsak.pdf

AIT alumna honored with US Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award

May Sabe Phyu (third from left) at the White House with the US First Lady Michelle Obama.

AIT alumna Ms. May Sabe Phyu, was among the 10 select women awarded the 2015 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award. She was awarded by

Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom  at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on 6 March 2015. Later, Ms. Phru and other winners also met the US

First Lady Michelle Obama. May Sabe Phyu, who hails from Myanmar, was a recipient of the Japanese government scholarship to pursue her Master’s degree at AIT. She graduated with a Master’s in Gender Studies in May 2011.

Source: Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy

K-Water President visits AIT, discusses water center and network

Mr. Gyewoon Choi

The President of Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water), Mr. Gyewoon Choi, mooted a three-way collaboration between academic, industry and professionals during his visit  to AIT on 3  Mr. Gyewoon Choi  March 2015. Mr. Choi stated that four water-related issues are currently under focus ̶ flooding, drought, water quality, and futuristic water issues related to climate change.

Discussing the establishment of a water center and network, Mr. Choi stated that K-Water was keen  to have a professional water-related institute, and  K-Water was discussing the issue with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other organizations, including AIT.

AIT Library Modernization Fundraising Campaign crosses 40 Million Baht

The Library Modernization Fundraising Campaign crossed 40 million Baht as major donations from alumni, corporates and individual donors pushed the campaign total to over 80 per cent of its goal of 50 million Baht, earlier in March.

Following the announcement in February of a donation of 1 Million Baht by HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhown, other illustrious donors have followed suit. Those who have contributed 1 Million Baht include Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman of AIT Board  of Trustees; Dr. Prasert Pataramai, member of AIT  Hall of Fame; Prof. Worsak Kanok Nukulchai, AIT President ; Mr. Charoen Jaturasil (SEC ’86); Dr.  Rafiul Ahad and Mrs. Frances Kasala Ahad (CA ’80); Dr. Chainarong Na Lamphun (WRE ’80); Dr. Phannachet Na Lamphun (ICT ’2012), Dr. Pornlapas Na Lamphun (SOM ’2012) and Mr. Rathawit Na Lamphum (MBA ’2015); and AIT Alumni Association (Thailand chapter).

Corporates who have donated 1 Million THB or more include Siam Cement Group (SCG) (via Mr. Chavalit Ekabut - IME ’82) with 10 Million Baht. Thai Pipe Industry Co., Ltd. (via Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha - IEM ’86), Intouch Holdings PCL (via Mr. Somprasong Boonyachai - IEM ’81), and Bangchak  Petroleum PCL (via Mr Chaiwat Covavisarach - IEM ’91) have donated 2 Million Baht each. Amata  Corporation PCL (via Mr. Vikrom Kromadit) has  donated 1 Million Baht.

The entire list of donors is available at this link:  http://www.modernlibrary.ait.asia/supporters/list_ of_donors

Photo Gallery of some of the donations in March 2015

Pakistan Students Association (PSA) donation of 15,700 Baht.

Dr. Chainarong Na Lamphun (1 Million Baht).

Dr. Phannachet Na Lamphun, Dr. Pornlapas Na Lamphun, and Mr. Rathawit Na Lamphun (1 Million Baht).

FR

Mr. Charoen Jaturasil

Amata Corporation (1 Million Baht).

Ms. Ailee Loh (976,101 Baht)

Mitsubishi Rayon provides diploma program scholarship for staffer

Mitsubishi visitors at AIT’s EEM laboratory.

Japan’s Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. (MRC) will send one of its employees to earn a one-year diploma in the Environmental Engineering Management (EEM) program at AIT starting in August 2015. The scholarship will cover tuition fees, accommodation and all associated expenses for the selected student, and is valued at 560,000 Baht.

MRC’s scholarship was made possible by agreements inked on 12 March 2015. Signing on behalf of Mitsubishi Rayon was Yasuo Yanagi, Director, Aqua Technology Administration Department, MRC.

AIT is an important partner: UNESCO-IHE Vice Rector

Prof. Stefan Uhlenbrook with AIT students.

“AIT is an important partner for us, and we are eager to intensify our collaboration”. This was the sentiment expressed by Prof. Stefan Uhlenbrook, Vice-Rector, Academic and Student Affairs, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, at AIT on 20 March 2015.

Appreciating the partnership with AIT, Prof. Stefan remarked that AIT is a regional institute in Asia enjoying a global reach. He added that out of the four joint degree programs offered by UNESCO-IHE, three were being offered with AIT.  Later, Prof. Stefan delivered a lecture on “Water-Spider in the Water-EnergyFood Nexus” to AIT students of Water Engineering and Management (WEM) field of study.

AIT Distinguished Research Awards announced

Dr. Sangam Shrestha  (left )and Prof. N. T. Kim Oanh.

Prof. N. T. Kim Oanh and Dr. Sangam Shrestha have been awarded  the “AIT Distinguished Research Awards 2014” under the Senior Research Leader and Junior Research Leader respective categories. Both will receive a full doctoral scholarship and will be presented a certificate of recognition at the May 2015 AIT Graduation Ceremony.

Prof. Kim Oanh lecture in the Environmental Engineering and Management field of study at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), while Dr. Shrestha is a faculty member in the Water Engineering and Management (WEM) field of study at the School of Engineering and Technology (SET).

Team AIT students are 2015 debating champs at FAO

Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma (left) with the winning AIT team.

A three-member team of students representing AIT once again grabbed 1st prize at  the annual forestry  policy debate competition organized by the  Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) in Bangkok, Thailand.

AIT’s international graduate students won  top honors on 20 March 2015 by debating on the proposition: “That  climate change means we should spend more money on protecting  forests.” The team included Ms. Katika Punbuatoom from Thailand, and Ms. Sumitra KC and Pradeep Baral from Nepal. All three are students of Natural Resources Management (NRM). Sumitra KC was also awarded “Best Speaker” at the debate.The judges were Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma, Assistant Director-General, Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, FAO; Ms. Caroline Liou,  Communication Manager, RECOFTC; Ms Keiko Nomura, UNREDD Programme Officer, UNEP; and Mr. Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO.

AIT faculty member contributes to UN World Water Development Report

WWDR 2015 book cover.

Dr. Sangam Shrestha, an Associate Professor in Water Engineering and Management (WEM), has contributed a book chapter in the recently  released United Nations World Water Development Report 2015. The 2015 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR 2015), titled “Water for a Sustainable World”, was

launched at the official celebration of the World Water Day, on 20 March 2015 in New Delhi, India.

AIT students present their work in France

Mr. Aung Ye Htut (left) and Mr. I Putu Santikayasa.

Two AIT students, Mr. Aung Ye Htut (Myanmar) and Mr. I Putu Santikayasa (Indonesia) presented their work at the ASEAN-EU Science Technology and Innovation

Days (STI Days) organized in Paris, France from 16-20 March 2015. Both students  were recipients of the best paper award. While Mr. Aung presented his paper on “Uncertainties in SWAT extreme flow simulation under climate change of the Bago River Basin in Myanmar,” Mr. Putu presented his findings on “Climate change impacts on hydrology and rice production in Northeast of Thailand.”

Geeta Bhatrai Bastakoti

An AIT doctoral student Geeta Bhatrai Bastakoti, who received the Climate Food and Farming Research Network (CLIFF) Fellowship Award 2015 to attend  the inception workshop and Conference on “Climate Smart Agriculture” organised at Montpellier, France, also presented her ongoing research on “‘Gender Implications of Food Security and Climatic Variability in Nepal.

News You Can Use

Dummy police will catch traffic offenders red-handed

“Dummy police will catch traffic offenders red-handed next month” is an article in  The Nation (Thailand). The system was developed by Dr. Mongkol Ekpanyapong of

AIT. This development was mentioned by numerous newspapers and media houses in Thailand.

It can be read at this link: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Dummy- police-will-catch-traffic-offenders-redhand-30256694.html

Follow AIT at

• Facebook http://www.facebook.com/aitasia

• YouTube http://www.youtube.com/aitasia

• Twitter http://www.twitter.com/aitasia

• Google+ https://plus.google.com/113705895909660110340/posts

• LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=17195

• Pinterest  http://www.pinterest.com/aitasia

QR for download

Credits

Editor: Bajinder Pal Singh  bajinder@ait.asia

Photos: Paitoon Tinnapong

Contact: Media and Communications  Unit at AIT mcu@ait.asia