AIT Newsletter October 2010
AIT attains status of International Intergovernmental Organization
Times have changed, and AIT needs to change as well: Thai Foreign Minister
Signing of the new AIT Charter
New AIT Charter is a landmark document: Dr Tej Bunnag
THE SIGNATORIES
HRH graces AIT booth at Science Fair
France reaffirms commitment to sign new AIT Charter during Ambassador’s maiden visit
People
Calender
AIT is more than a university
News You Can Use
Credits

AIT attains status of International Intergovernmental Organization

H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya
H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya

A landmark in Thailand’s higher learning was reached when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, signed the new Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, thereby initiating the process to grant it the status of an International organization. AIT becomes the first institution of higher learning of its kind to gain international intergovernmental status.

Times have changed, and AIT needs to change as well: Thai Foreign Minister

Prof. Said Irandoust (left) greets H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya
Prof. Said Irandoust (left) greets H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya (right).

H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, Foreign Minister of Thailand described AIT as a center of excellence in research and knowledge in Southeast Asia. The Foreign Minister stated this during the adoption and signing ceremony of the New AIT Charter on 25 August 2010.

The foreign minister remarked that “from the beginning AIT took on an international, independent and non-political character and has actively sought partners in Asia and     beyond. Times have changed, and AIT needs to change as well.” We realized some time ago that, for AIT to further prosper and continue to contribute to our economic growth, it has to be able to operate effectively, with the flexibility to search for and cooperate with new partners and stakeholders, and with a reach that has to be not only regional but also global, the Minister added.

While announcing that the Royal Thai Government  fully endorses the new AIT Charter, he stated that AIT continues to contribute to the region’s dynamism and prosperity. “AIT’s role will be even more important as our growing economy is ever more reliant on our capacity to harness knowledge and creativity,” the Minister added.

Signing of the new AIT Charter

On 25 August 2010, representatives of 12 countries and one International
On 25 August 2010, representatives of 12 countries and one International organization (UNIFEM) signed the new AIT Charter.

From left to right: Prof.Said Irandoust, President, Asian Institute of Technology; Mr. Sven Malmberg, Minister (Chargé d’affaires), Embassy of Sweden in Thailand; H.E. Prof. J.B. Disanayaka, Ambassador of Sri Lanka; H.E. Mr. Sohail Mahmood, Ambassador of Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah, Ambassador of Nepal; H.E. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, Ambassador of    Bangladesh; H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, Foreign Minister of Thailand; H.E.Dr.Tej Bunnag, Former Foreign Minister of Thailand and Chairman, Board of Trustees of AIT; H.E. Mr. Kyoji Komachi, Ambassador of Japan; H.E. Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Ambassador of India; H.E. Mr. Philippe Le Gall, Ambassador of Seychelles; H.E. Ms. Ling Lingay F. Lacanlale, Ambassador of Phillippines; H.E. Mr. Joao Freitas de Camara, Ambassador of Timor Leste; Ms. Moni Pizani,
Representative in Thailand and Regional Program Director of UNIFEM; Mr. Ouk Sophoin, Counsellor (Chargé d’affaires) of Embassy of Cambodia; Dr. Subin Pinkayan, former Foreign Minister of Thailand.

New AIT Charter is a landmark document: Dr Tej Bunnag

New AIT Charter is a landmark document: Dr Tej Bunnag

Galaxy of delegates, invitees and guests at the Vites Samosorn
Galaxy of delegates, invitees and guests at the Vites Samosorn Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand during the adoption and signing ceremony of the new AIT Charter.

The new Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is a landmark document and it renews the long trusted partnership that exists between the Institute and its    stakeholders, respective governments and international organizations. This was stated by H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, former Foreign Minister of Thailand and Chairman, Board of Trustees of AIT, during the adoption and signing ceremony of the new AIT Charter at the Vites Samosorn Room in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Dr. Tej Bunnag stated that the new AIT Charter is a highly significant development in the five-decade long history of AIT. It marks another stage in the fulfillment of the dream of AIT’s founding fathers. “This intergovernmental Charter is the product of a very laborious and challenging process, but also very constructive, process of consultations and    negotiations between the participating bodies over the past four years or so,” Dr. Tej remarked.

THE SIGNATORIES

H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya
H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya Foreign Minister of Thailand.
H.E. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossain
H.E. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossain Ambassador of Bangladesh.
Mr. Ouk Sophoin
Mr. Ouk Sophoin Counsellor (Chargé d’affaires of Cambodia).
H.E. Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty
H.E. Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty Ambassador of India.
H.E. Mr. Kyoji Komachi
H.E. Mr. Kyoji Komachi Ambassador of Japan.
H.E. Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah
H.E. Mr. Naveen Prakash Jung Shah Ambassador of Nepal.
H.E. Mr. Sohail Mahmood
H.E. Mr. Sohail Mahmood Ambassador of Pakistan.
H.E. Ms. Ling Lingay F. Lacanlale
H.E. Ms. Ling Lingay F. Lacanlale Ambassador of Philippines.
H.E. Mr. Philippe Le Gall
H.E. Mr. Philippe Le Gall Ambassador of Seychelles.
H.E. Professor J.B. Disanayaka
H.E. Professor J.B. Disanayaka Ambassador of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Sven Malmberg
Mr. Sven Malmberg Minister (Chargé d’affaires) of Sweden.
H.E. Mr. Joao Freitas de Camara
H.E. Mr. Joao Freitas de Camara Ambassador of Timor Leste.
Ms. Moni Pizani
Ms.  Moni Pizani Representative in Thailand and Regional Program Director of UNIFEM.
Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya
Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya addressing a press conference after the signing of the new AIT Charter.
Foreign Minister H.E. Mr.
Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya talking to AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust.
Galaxy of dignitaries at the
Galaxy of dignitaries at the signing ceremony of the new AIT Charter.

HRH graces AIT booth at Science Fair

hrh graces AIT booth at Science Fair

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the booth set up by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 11 August 2010 at the Science and Technology    Fair organized at the BiTech Bang-Na Conference Center. After inaugurating the fair, Her Royal Highness visited the AIT Booth where Prof. Athapol Noon hom, Coordinator, Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology Field of Study, presented various research projects undertaken by the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) and the School of Engineering and Technology (SET). HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be the inaugural inductee into AIT’s Hall of Fame on AIT Day on 7 September 2010.

France reaffirms commitment to sign new AIT Charter during Ambassador’s maiden visit

France reaffirms commitment to sign new AIT

Ambassador of France to Thailand H.E. Gildas Le Lidec, during his maiden visit to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) reaffirmed the commitment of France to sign the new AIT Charter. The Ambassador, while interacting with the AIT senior management, stated that the French version of the new AIT Charter will have to be endorsed and once this requirement is met, France would also become a signatory.

Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President while welcoming the Ambassador expressed the importance to have France becoming a signatory under the new AIT Charter, considering that France has been an active member since the foundation of AIT in 1959. He also briefed the French Ambassador and the delegation about the new funding model currently  being explored by AIT which will help AIT scale up its operations.

People

Dr. Sandro Calvani

Dr. Sandro Calvani has joined as Director of  the ASEAN Regional Centre of Excellence on Millennium Development Goals (ARCMDG) at AIT from 01 September 2010.    Aside from his main responsibility as the Director of the ASEAN Regional Center of Excellence of MDGs, Dr. Calvani will also be assisting the AIT Yunus Center, CSR Asia Center at AIT, fundraising efforts of AIT; and in AIT’s regional expansion plans through the conduct of pilot studies of priority countries as part of the examination of a new funding model for AIT being conducted, under the auspices and overall direction of the AIT Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.

Calender

AIT Day Celebrations Sep 6-8   

Sep 7 events:
• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presides over AIT Day celebrations
• Launch of AIT Hall of Fame
• Launch of Friends of AIT Heritage (FAITH) Foundation   

AIT is more than a university

AIT is more than a

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is not just a university, but a place where students learn, discuss and debate in an international environment. AIT is more than a university     as it helps a student to network and grow as an individual. This was stated by the AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust, while welcoming new students the occasion of AIT Orientation on 11 August 2010. The AIT President remarked that diversity was a crucial element in AIT, and that the institute is very proud of its internationality. Apart from education and  higher learning, AIT is actively involved in training and capacity building in post conflict societies. “This way AIT makes a difference to the life of millions of    people all across the world,” Prof. Irandoust remarked. He asked students to challenge their professors and take on proven truths. “Those who are creative and innovative will be winners in the future,” Prof. Irandoust added.

News You Can Use

Rent a book

With rising costs of education, some universities are now including a book rental option. Universities and bookstores are now offering books on a read and return basis for a fixed fee. Says “Sign on SanDiego.”

"A full-time college student spends an average of $500 on textbooks at the start of each  semester but if the textbook rental market  catches on, that price could fall by at least
$100. Bookstores at San Diego State University, University of San Diego and UC San Diego have expanded their inventory to include books students rent and return instead of buy and sell at the end of the semester."

Book rental is nothing new though. Online bookstores have been offering such services for a few years now.

Read more at  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/28/universities-offer-rental-book-option/
http://www.panamericanonline.com/arts-life/rent-a-text-to-provide-possible-financial-relief-for-students1.2310934

Did You Know?

School of Management at AIT offers a course on "Oil-less Economy".

Credits

Editor:       Bajinder Pal Singh    bajinder@ait.asia
Photos:     Paitoon Tinnapong
Feedback: Contact Media and Communications Unit at AIT mcu@ait.asia