January & February 2020

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Asian Institute of Technology

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2020

Editor’s Note:

We apologize for the delay of publication of this January-February Newsletter. Since March 18, AIT has moved to Interactive Online Instruction for all classes for the remainder of the Spring semester. Full details on this and other latest Covid-19 measures at AIT will be in the next newsletter in March-April.

MOU SIGNED TO FOSTER AIT CONNECTIONS

WITH SHENZHEN ENTERPRISES

I

Shenzhen, a global technology hub in China

n order to continue to promote diversified

The centerpiece of the AIT-DeepRock cooperation is cooperation under the auspices of the AIT Belt & the “AIT-Shenzhen Enterprises Program (ASEP)”.

Road Research Center, AIT has signed an MOU

ASEP consists of a 4-week experience in Shenzhen

with DeepRock company of Shenzhen in launching a

for 20 AIT students each summer, in alignment with cooperation to foster connections between AIT and

the students’ interests and fields of study. The first enterprises in Shenzhen. DeepRock was founded

week will involve visitations to global corporate

by renowned China entrepreneur Wang Shi, who

giants of Shenzhen, such as Tencent, Huawei, BGI,

founded in Shenzhen the internationally prestigious Vanke, among others. The next two weeks will be

Vanke Development Company in the 1980s.

spent on internship in one of Shenzhen’s many

enterprises, with the final week being participation This cooperation will have the theme of "Social in academic and athletic competitions and team-Impact with Innovation” , with AIT leveraging its building activities in Shenzhen. Local expenses

strength in sustainability studies and in its network and arrangements will be provided by DeepRock.

of students from the Belt and Road region, and

Tentatively, the ASEP program will begin in the

DeepRock — through its association with Vanke,

summer of 2020.

leveraging on Shenzhen’s strength in enterprises

which are models of innovation and entrepreneurship President Eden Woon, said: “This cooperation

in China and the world. DeepRock will help AIT

with DeepRock allows AIT faculty and students to

faculty and students with access to Shenzhen gain a better appreciation of the enterprise success, enterprises for visits, internships, and collaboration, innovative ability, and entrepreneurial spirit of

with the support from Shenzhen Foundation for Shenzhen — a global technology hub — and a International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC)

deeper understanding of China. Specifically, ASEP

and Shenzhen Non-Governmental Organization will benefit greatly those students who will have a Federation (ShenZhenNGO).

unique opportunity to have a one-month enterprises experience, which includes internship, in Shenzhen.

AIT CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE

January & February 2020

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AIT Measures in January-February during Global

Coronavirus Crisis

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) now has spread across the world in varying degrees, including to Thailand and many of the countries where our AIT students, faculty and staff come from. This article describes briefly the actions AIT took in January and February. Later updates will appear in the next Newsletter, as developments are happening very rapidly.

The AIT Coronavirus Task Force was formed at the end of As of the publication date, no AIT

January to monitor the crisis, both in general and specifically member has caught the Coronavirus

on how it affects the institute. The Task Force has devised and fallen ill. However, AIT is

policies, measures and advice, and has kept the AIT

prepared for any contingency in the

community informed through a dedicated Intranet column—

event that the situation worsens.

with links to the Thai government public health websites—and Therefore, two sets of Special

through frequent emails. Initially, the Task Force tracked down Operations Contingency Plans were

AIT students in China and brought them back to AIT, with a developed – one for Academics

14-day quarantine at a special quarantine quarters set up on and one for General Operations. In campus. By the end of February, AIT students in Korea, Japan, particular, the Academics Contin-France, Germany, Spain and Netherlands had either returned or gency Plan allowed us to be ready

were in the process of being strongly urged to do so. They are should face-to-face classes had to be

also subject to a 14-day quarantine on campus upon return.

cancelled. ( Which took place later on

March 18. ) Purchases of software and

As the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus increased training and orientation were done by

daily worldwide, the work of the Task Force shifted into high the faculty to get prepared for online

gear in late February, and more precautionary steps have been interactive instruction.

and are being taken by AIT to ensure a safe and healthy environment on campus. Very early on, the Task Force closely moni-The Asian Institute of Technology

tored all events being held on campus, cancelling many, and is working hard to be ready for any requiring all to follow strictly some special measures such as eventuality. At this difficult time, all

tracking the travel history of the attendees. Large scale members of the AIT community are

gatherings were disapproved. As time went on, travel abroad remaining vigilant and cooperative in

by any AIT member must be approved by the Task Force, and order for the institute to get through

travel to certain highly infectious regions was prohibited. But this crisis successfully. More up to

normal educational activities in January and February continued date information will come in the

as much as possible, even though these are not normal times.

March-April Newsletter, including

on the conversion to interactive

AIT also created a Lighting System for the status of the online instruction and cancellation

campus, where Green is “normal”, Yellow is “alert”, Orange is of all face-to-face classes for the rest

“affected”, and Red is “serious”. The status light in January and of the Spring semester.

February was Yellow.

FEATURE

January & February 2020

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AIT alumna leads first COVID-19 fight in Thailand EXCLUSIVE: Hospitals can apply management skills to battle the coronavirus, writes Kanda Yaemboonruang

Keeping morale high, correct

understanding and maintaining social

responsibility are the magic words to

fight the epidemic.

Dr. Dararat Rutanarugsa

Director of Nakhon Pathom Hospital, Thailand

Big news hit Thailand on 20 January 2020 when

heart disease, thyrotoxic and high blood pressure.

the first case of the new strain of coronavirus She was in the vulnerable group. At the time she

(COVID-19) was identified at Nakhon Pathom

was tested and had a positive result for the corona-Hospital. The announcement made the Thai pub-

virus, the Thai medical personnel were still lic sit up and take notice that the novel coronavirus guessing blindly about how to fight the emerging

had arrived and could be knocking on their front

disease identified in Wuhan, China. But we

door anytime. Ten days later, new hope emerged

believed in our capacity as we are the main medical when the hospital announced that they were able

hospital in the province, which is well-equipped

to cure the first patient, a Thai of Chinese descent with advanced medical technology, and we had

had been given the nickname “A-Ma”, and that the

the support from the Minister of Public Health,

patient was recovering.

Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, and from the provincial

governor so we were able to raise public

Overnight, Nakhon Pathom Hospital became a

confidence. Then all the hard work paid off when,

fixture of attention across the country, as media ten days after the case was identified, the patient focused on this successful treatment. Dr. Dararat

was tested negative for COVID-19.”

Rutanarugsa, MD, PhD, the director of Nakhon

Pathom Hospital and an AIT alumnus who

She explained that the hospital ran the test twice graduated from the AIT School of Management in

by following the Standard Principles of Public

August 2017 with a doctoral degree in Business

Health to confirm the results before releasing the Administration, was on the front-line along with

news to the public. The patient was discharged and her team combatting this fierce new virus.

was able to return home in time for the Chinese

New Year celebration.

UNKNOWN TERRITORY

Asked to describe the first COVID-19 case

STRONG HOSPITALS KEY

in Thailand, Dr. Dararat said: “When we first The nation’s hospitals are key to reacting to serious received the case, we didn’t know exactly how to

public health scares, such as the ongoing Covid-19

treat the patient with COVID-19, but we believed

crisis, she said. The public must be assured that

in our ability and capacity, and our medical staff hospitals are safe places for the patients especially was ready for the hard work ahead. Finally, we

in times of health crises. Dr. Dararat added that

succeeded in our first attempt.

maintaining the physical health and morale of hospital staff is critical to success. She even

“The patient was a half Thai-Chinese, 73, with

purchased COVID-19 insurance for all hospital

FEATURE

January & February 2020

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of armors in this battle against this

disease. We must identify who really

‘needs’ masks. Once we have this in-

formation, hospitals can better man-

age the distribution of masks pro-

vided by Ministry of Public Health.

Hospitals need to put in place the

short-term and the long-term inven-

tory. We need to make sure that, for

staff members as a top-up benefit to their current the short-term inventory, we have

insurance plan to ensure that health workers are

enough masks for medical personnel for at least

themselves well taken care of as they cared for 2 weeks, but for the long-term inventory, we need

patients.

several months’ worth of stocks. This can ensure

we will not experience a mask crisis.

“Keeping morale high, correct understanding and

As a PhD in Business Administration from AIT,

maintaining social responsibility are the magic

Dr. Dararat underscored the need for proper words to fight the pandemic. After the news broke

management of hospitals, especially in times of

that we had been successful in our effort to treat the such emergencies as COVID-19. “AIT is part of

first patient, we gained trust from the public. We this success. I am very lucky to have had the thought we should optimize this trust and use it as opportunity to study in the Doctor of Business our platform for knowledge distribution. We

Administration program at AIT. I gained a great

created a music video and uploaded on to our deal of knowledge about management, which I can

YouTube channel. It was a team effort with our readily apply in my management of the hospital and doctors writing the lyrics and our hospital staff in my service to the public. The knowledge about

as the musicians and dancers in the video. It was

how to manage resources, which I learned from my

definitely a fun-filled morale-boosting activity finance class at AIT has allowed me to assess how

for all of us, and, at the same time, we are able to much I can spend and how much I should save, and

educate the public in a creative way.”

to manage risks properly, like this crisis. All of this, I have AIT to thank for.”

Dr. Dararat added: “After this first case, we have been stricter with our management to ensure safety for everyone at the hospital. We have been trying

to reduce the size of crowds at the hospital and to manage transferring routes for patients, relatives and staffs. Everyone is advised to wash their hands and check their temperatures at screening points

and practice social distancing. Also, with the shortage of surgical masks now, we really need to

consider who really needs them. Those who are not

at high risk can use fabric masks, but those who

are at high risk, especially medical personnel who work closely with patients, need masks with better

“When we first received the case, we didn’t

performance, such as the N95. This is the manage-

know exactly how to treat the patient with

ment principle when battling with a disease.

COVID-19, but we believed in our ability

and capacity, and our medical staff was

ON THE FRONT LINE

ready for the hard work ahead. Finally, we

“I liken hospital staff to the army on the front line, succeeded in our first attempt.”

and crew morale is very crucial. They should be

well equipped to fight their battles. Masks are one

FEATURE

January & February 2020

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AIT’s five thematic research areas

Asian Instititute of Technology (AIT) is the most international university in Thailand offering master’s and PhD programs in engineering and technology, environment and sustainability, and management. The current study body represents 40 countries around the world with the alumni network of more than 25,000 from over 100 countries around the world. AIT provides scholarships to both Thai and non-Thai students.

With the motto ‘Social Impact with Innovation’, in a recent radio interview, Dr. Bhawat Traipattanakul, Special Assistant to the President and Affiliated Faculty at the School of Engineering and Technology, elaborated on AIT's 5 thematic areas and highlighted selected research studies within those areas. Dr. Bhawat also highlighted AIT’s research

funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

on the decentralized wastewater management for

developing countries.

1. Climate change

Climate change creates significant impacts to in collaboration with Foundation for Integration of environment in both global and regional scales. One water Management (Thailand), and a study on the

of the on-going issues in Thailand is air pollution, alternate wetting and drying rice farming method

especially a significant rise of the PM2.5 level which can increase yields and reduce water

during winter. To tackle this nation-wide environ-

consumption in rice farming.

mental issue, AIT is now working with Thailand’s

Pollution Control Department and Climate and 4. Infrastructure Clean Air Coalition in developing a tool which will AIT has conducted many research projects in

be used to identify the sources of the current PM2.5

Infrastructure which include Transportation, Tele-

in order to solve the problem at its root cause.

communication, Construction, Structure, Geotech-

nology, Energy and Irrigation. A project in

2. Smart communities

Bangladesh was given as an example. AIT in

AIT focuses on not only the concept of Smart City, collaboration with Asian Disaster Preparedness

but also one of Smart Community which extends Center, Government of Bangladesh, UNDP, DFID-B,

the research focus and the development to the rural EU, Norwegian Embassy, Swedish Sida and

areas as well. For this thematic area, Dr. Bhawat

AusAID assessed seismic hazard in Bangladesh,

highlighted two research studies: AI technology for and provided technical advice in conducting field helmet detection on motorcyclists in Bangkok and

surveys of infrastructure in 9 cities in Bangladesh.

the combination of the satellite and drone technology in rice mapping which offers a faster, more accurate 5. Technology, Policy and Society

and more affordable method of detecting problems

AIT in collaboration with the Mekong Migration

in rice fields and estimating yields.

Network has been studying the working conditions

and discrimination in 4 special economic zones

3. Food, Energy, Water Security

(SEZ) in the Mekong subregion, namely the Thilawa

AIT places great emphasis on various issues of

SEZ in Myanmar, the Phnom Penh and Manhattan

security for future population. Various research

SEZs in Cambodia, and the Tak SEZ in Thailand to

studies on campus now focus on securing stable

ensure that employment is sustainable and lawful

food, energy and water resources to ensure sustain-and that gender-equality is upheld.

able future developments. Dr. Bhawat highlighted

3 studies: a study in collaboration with the British

Dr. Bhawat Traipattanakul, Special Assistant to

Council and Loughborough University in UK on

the President and Affiliated Faculty at the School

energy generation from daily food waste on

of Engineering and Technology talked to a radio

campus, a framework for river health assessment

program, Coffee Break, on FM 96.5.

STUDENT EXCHANGE

January & February 2020

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My Student Exchange Experience in France

By Ying Chen

environment. The learning at-

mosphere was really flexible and

pleasant.

Perhaps the most difficult part

for me was making friends with

French students. In many Asian

cultures, people show outward

hospitality towards foreigner

visitors, but French people are

more independent and reserved,

I think. Of course, they are kind

and hospitable, but to me you

cannot always tell from external

appearances on the surface.

So a key tip that I can pass along

came from my French professor,

who told me: “You have to get

As an MBA student of the School of Management

close to French students, once you get close, you

at the Asian Institute of Technology, I received a will find out they are very warm.”

great opportunity to study abroad for a semester at EDHEC Business School in France from September to

Lille is the fifth biggest city in France. The city December in 2019. A grande école in France, EDHEC

center is not so large and you can navigate it

specializes in business and management studies. It has mostly on foot. As one of the oldest cities in the five campuses around the world in Lille, Nice, Paris, country, Lille has maintained its architectural

London, and Singapore.

history instead of opting for new urban develop-

ments. During the countless times I walked the

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my 4-month exchange

city’s charming streets, I sometimes felt transported experience, which was full of surprises even though I back in time to another century, and the plot lines had previously visited the country a number of times of famous stories and old movies set in Europe on business trips. I would like to share about my

kept running through my mind. The most interesting time in France, as it may help my fellow AIT students experience for me in Lille was participating in who are interested to follow the same international one of the most famous festivals in Europe called

path.

“La Braderie de Lille.” It is an annual social event where vendors sell their goods on the streets at

I chose to study for a semester at the Lille branch reduced prices, and people can find virtually of EDHEC Business School located near the border

anything they need like second-hand goods and

of Belgium in the small city of Roubaix, which is a garments. Of course, great street food, live music part of the Lille metropolitan area and is a 30-minute and drink was all around. The most surprising tram ride to downtown. EDHEC is one of the top five experience for me was discovering that the

business schools in France, and its students come

festival-goers came from everywhere across

from a wide range of European and Asian countries, Europe. As I rarely met many people from Lille,

as well as the Americas. This impressive multicultural even during the weekends, this festival was an

academic environment is certainly helpful for

amazing event for me, and I learned quite a bit

today’s students adapting to the globalized economic about local life and local customs.

STUDENT EXCHANGE

January & February 2020

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Honestly, I felt a little bored sometimes during the some friends. The festival started at the end of first month that I studied in France, because the September and lasted for around one month. This

culture is quite different from Asia. In Asian annual tradition is the country’s most famous countries, most university students tend to live

national festival, and it attracts tourists from all on campus and life tends to be socially inclusive.

across Europe and around the world.

Conversely, in France, students prefer to do their own thing after class and socialize within their Germans themselves celebrate Octoberfest in

own immediate circles. So I had to find things to every corner of the country, with citizens wearing occupy my free time. My first choice was exercise

traditional costumes as they drink beer nearly every and participating in sports. Luckily, EDHEC has a

day of the month, or so it seemed. At some famous

well-equipped gym and great swimming pool, and

bars, people enjoy their big beer steins while I went jogging or swimming at least three times per singing and dancing in groups. However, a word of

week. Regular exercise kept my mind fresh and clear warning – if you want to go to toilet at these giant, when I was overseas.

public venues, you will need to be brave and push

yourself through the sea of happy crowds!

Travelling around the continent is a must activity for anyone spending significant time in Europe. Lille is By using my chance in France as a gateway to see so connected to a variety of good public transportation much of Europe, I gained useful insights from many networks, so I could easily take the train or bus to newfound foreign friends about their lives and their visit other European countries. France’s famed perspectives about the world. These continue to help high-speed train called TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) me to re-examine the global environment and my allows the people of Lille to get to Paris and Charles own life.

De Gaulle International Airport in less than one hour.

Apart from France, I traveled to seven countries in Generally, my overseas exchange opportunity was Europe, including Belgium, Netherlands, Germany,

excellent, and I learned many things not only from Austria, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Italy. Of my academic studies at the elite EDHEC Business

all of these, my favorite city had to be Prague in the School but also from traveling. Obviously, this Czech Republic, where I discovered great food and

experience will have a long-term benefit for me and stunning urban landscapes at every turn.

for my future. For this, I am appreciative that I got this chance from my home institution – the Asian

Germany also impressed me. There, I went to the

Institute of Technology in Thailand.

world-famous Octoberfest Festival in Munich with

RECENT NEWS/ HAPPENINGS AT AIT

January & February 2020

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Colorado State University, USA visits and lectures Representatives from the Colorado State University (CSU)

in the United States visited

AIT on 8 January 2020 to

discuss potential collaboration

between their engineering de-

partments. The delegation was

led by Prof. David McLean,

Dean, Walter Scott, Jr. College

of Engineering, CSU, who

became a new member of the

AIT Board of Trustees on

January 9, 2020.

where he delivered a talk on “Enhanced Ben-

tonites for Sustainable Chemical Containment.”

Prof. McLean was joined on the mission by

He also introduced the Department of Civil and senior CSU colleagues Prof. Charles Shackelford

Environmental Engineering at CSU to a large

of the Department of Civil and Environmental gathering of students.

Engineering, Prof. Tony Maciejewski of the

Department of Electrical and Computer Engi-

Prof. Tony Maciejewski paid a visit to the

neering, and Prof. Christian Puttlitz, representing Information and Communications Technologies

the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The

department where he gave a lecture titled

three academicians delivered seminars at the AIT

"Kinematically Redundant Robots: The Promise

School of Engineering and Technology (SET).

of Human-Like Dexterity. He spoke to a full lecture room packed with over 40 students, faculty, It was a great opportunity to learn from such and staff from ICT and Interlab who were excited

distinguished experts in their fields and to talk about future possible collaboration with CSU.

about some key areas where we can work together

between our respective engineering departments,

Prof. Christian Puttlitz, who is the Head of CSU’s said SET Dean Prof. Dieter Trau.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, delivered

a seminar titled "Engineering Mechanics Applied Professor Shackelford visited the Geotechnical

to Orthopaedics” to interested graduate students,

and Earth Resources Engineering program of the

researchers and faculty of the AIT Industrial Civil and Infrastructure Engineering department,

Systems Engineering department.

Seminar on "Engineering

Seminar on "Kinematically

Seminar on "Enhanced

Mechanics Applied to

Redundant Robots: The

Bentonites for Sustainable

Orthopaedics"

Promise of Human-Like

Chemical Containment"

by Prof. Christian Puttlitz,

Dexterity"

by Prof. Charles Shackelford,

Department of Mechanical

by Prof. Tony Maciejewski,

Department of Civil and

Engineering.

Department of Electrical and

Environmental Engineering

Computer Engineering.

RECENT NEWS/ HAPPENINGS AT AIT

January & February 2020

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NSTDA and AIT join hands to boost science and technology talent pool in Thailand

Thailand’s National Science and Technology

and academic programs and producing work-

Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Asian

ready, international graduates who can address

Institute of Technology (AIT) on 20 January 2019 the country’s technical skills needs, he added.

signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish

a five-year strategic partnership to increase the To ensure the success of the Eastern Economic country’s science and technology talent pool Corridor of Innovation or “EECi” in Chonburi, and support “Thailand 4.0”, a flagship national Rayong and Chachoengsao provinces, the development plan.

country needs more scientists, experts and

technical manpower, said NSTDA Executive

The agreement will enable a wide range of

Vice President Dr. Chadamas Thuvasethakul,

mutually beneficial academic exchanges in academic explaining the importance of the tie-up. The programs and research and development cooperation uber-ambitious project is seen a linchpin for between the neighboring institutions in Pathumthani Thailand’s future prosperity and development.

Province, north of Bangkok.

The MOU allows for across-the-board partner-

A key goal aim is to enhance NSTDA’s human ships and academic exchanges. Scientists at both

resources development, particularly by increasing institutions will unite on joint research projects the number of high quality, high caliber researchers and researchers will gain access to lab facilities and scientists. NSTDA staff can further their and equipment. The partners also expressed an professional qualifications at AIT, as the MOU aim to co-establish or develop a research Ph.D.

will allow for staff to enter a scholarship program or Master’s degree Program.

for Master’s degree or doctoral degree studies.

Qualified Ph.D. graduates from AIT will also be able NSTDA is an agency of the Government to conduct postdoctoral research work at NSTDA. of Thailand. It supports research in science The agreement will eventually enable Thai postgrads and technology and its application in the Thai to conduct advanced research in areas of vital economy. AIT is an international, English-national interest, including information infrastructure speaking postgraduate institution specializing systems, material sciences, and intelligent systems.

in engineering, environment, and management

studies in capacity building and social impact

“It’s a win-win partnership,” AIT President Eden areas.

Woon said. AIT places a premium of applied research

RECENT NEWS/ HAPPENINGS AT AIT

January & February 2020

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KMITL-AIT International Unified

Bachelor’s-Master’s Degree Program

The Asian Institute of Technology and Thailand’s King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) on 31 January 2020 unveiled their new KMITL-AIT International Unified Bachelor's-Master's Degree Program at a signing ceremony in Bangkok.

The program provides an accelerated English-language AIT President Dr. Eden Y Woon (Left)

and KMITL Acting President Prof.

pathway for KMITL students to earn a Bachelor’s degree Suchatvee Suwansawat (Right) awarded by KMITL and a Master’s degree awarded by AIT

in a minimum of five years. AIT President Dr. Eden Y. Woon vation for social impact and interna-signed the agreement with Prof. Suchatvee Suwansawat, acting tional exposure. The program will

President of KMITL.

stress opportunities for students to

broaden their experience through

The Bachelor’s degree is a 4-year program, however, exchange programs and entrepre-undergrads will spend their first seven semesters (3.5 years) at neurship internships related to their

KMITL and complete a Capstone Project at AIT while earning chosen fields of study. At AIT,

transferable undergraduate credits. Students then have the students will be challenged to apply

opportunity to complete an AIT Master’s degree program in their research to solve real-world

one-and-a-half years. KMITL's challenging undergraduate problems through field exposures

offerings combine with AIT's emphasis on research and inno-both in Thailand and abroad.

Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp becomes

the 10th Chairman of the AIT Board of

Trustees

Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp was appointed as the new Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees with effect from 10

January 2020. He succeeds H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan, former the Minister of Energy of Thailand,

Foreign Minister of Thailand and distinguished AIT alumnus.

and served as Chairman of the Board

of King Mongkut’s University of

A Thai national, Dr. Tongchat graduated with a bachelor Technology Thonburi, Thailand. Dr.

degree in Civil Engineering from Chulalongkorn University Tongchat has been appointed Chair-and a master degree in Engineering from the Asian Institute man and Director of some major

of Technology (AIT), before earning his doctorate from North-organizations in Thailand, including

western University, Evanston, Illinois, USA. Dr. Tongchat was PTTEP, and was a member of the

among the inaugural inductees of the AIT Hall of Fame in 2010.

National Reform Council. Currently,

Dr. Tongchat is serving as Chairman

Dr. Tongchat worked with major engineering companies in of the Board of Directors of Samart

the United States for three years before returning to Thailand.

Corporation Public Company Limited,

He has accumulated vast experience in academia as well as and Linde (Thailand) Public Company

administration and management of many major corporations, Limited. He is also Senior Advisor to

including at AIT, Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority of PTTEP, PTTGC, Director of PTIT

Thailand, Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT), PTT

(Petroleum Institute of Thailand)

Exploration and Production Company Limited (PTTEP), Council of Trustee, Vice Chairman

National Petrochemical Corporation (NPC), Telecom Asia of PTIT (Petroleum Institute of

Company Limited, Thai Telephone and Telecommunication Thailand) Foundation, and Director

Public Company Limited (TT&T), and Thai Petrochemical of Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public

Industry Public Company Limited. He was Senior Advisor to Company Limited.

RECENT NEWS/ HAPPENINGS AT AIT

January & February 2020

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Dr. Dong Van Phung is new Director of

AIT Centre in Vietnam

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) was pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dong Van Phung as the new Director of AIT

Centre in Vietnam (AIT-CV), effective 1 February 2020.

A Vietnamese national, Dr. Dong was the Director of the Department of R&D Software Solutions for Smart Cities, Technology Group, where he oversaw projects invested by government ministries across many provinces and cities in Vietnam. He has held an academic As AIT-CV Director, Dr. Dong

position at Hanoi University.

will be responsible for promot-

ing the AIT mission in Vietnam,

Dr. Dong received his Ph.D. from the University of Technology positioning AIT-CV with re-Sydney, Australia, in the area of Information Systems. He also holds spect to the Vietnamese higher

a Master of Science degree in Information System Design from the education and professional

University of Central Lancashire (UK), a Master of Arts degree in training marketplace and de-Education Management from the National Institute of Education veloping a mutually beneficial

Management, Vietnam, and Bachelor of Science degree from the relationship with the AIT main

University of Sciences, Vietnam. His CV can be viewed at this link.

campus in Thailand.

DONATION

Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp (STE’62) and

AIT Alumni at King Mongkut University of

Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) Donates

Funds for Renovation of Student Village 1

Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp, an AIT alumnus in Structural Engineering in 1962 and the 10th Chairman of AIT Board of Trustees, signed an agreement with AIT President Dr. Eden Woon on 20 January 2020 to donate 504,969 Thai baht for renovation of Student Village 1 (SV1). In recognition of this generosity, the building is now named after Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp and AIT Alumni at KMUTT. He was accompanied by Dr. Tippawan Pinvanichkul, AIT alumnus (MOT ’95 & ’98) and Associate Professor of King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), at the official ceremony. Dr.

Woon expressed his sincere appreciation to Dr. Tongchat and the AIT Alumni at KMUTT for the donation during the AIT’s 60th Anniversary.

LAUNCH

AIT GRADUATES CLUB

The new AIT Graduates Club is jointly initiated by AIT and AIT Alumni Association. Launched on 20

January 2020, it will serve as a platform for long-term professional engagement between our graduates and their Alma Mater, with focus on continuing education, career development, collaborative activities and connectivity.

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 12

President Woon on 27 January 2020 Mr. Brent Habig (left) Vice President, President Eden Woon joined a re-called on H.E. Dr. Sarah Taylor,

International Programs, Institute for

ception in Bangkok hosted by the

Ambassador of Canada to Thailand, Sustainable Communities, USA, met Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr.

Lao PDR and Cambodia at the

with the AIT President on 5 February

Nashida Kazuya on 20 February

Embassy of Canada in Bangkok

2020

2020 to celebrate the Birthday of

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

The director of AIT’s Geoinformatics Center (GIC), Dr. Manzul Hazarika, served as an observer at the FAO’s biannual Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics which took place in Bali, Indonesia from 10-14 February 2020. Member countries who participated in APCAS 28 included Indonesia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Timor Leste, India, Fiji, Samoa. Sri Lanka, Philippines, Mongolia, Malaysia, South Korea, Tonga, Myanmar, and Lao PDR.

Delegates from the Universiti Brunei Ms. Hanne Haukenes, Resident Advi-Darussalam paid a visit to AIT on 3 sor (Myanmar), International Section, February 2020 to learn about alumni from the Norwegian Water Resources activities in AIT and to discuss poten- and Energy Directorate (NVE), discusses tial tie-up.

academic programs and courses offered

in AIT and potential for growing support

and cooperation on 13 February 2020.

RECENT NEWS/ HAPPENINGS AT AIT

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 13

MBA student receives

seed funding from Digital

Transformation Expert Platform

Mr. Abhinut Srimasorn, an MBA student of AIT

School of Management, received 30,000 Thai baht

in seed funding for his project named 'DeepPrice

by Digital Transformation Expert Platform (DX-expert), a pilot project by the Association of Thai Software Industry (ATSI).

Orientation for the January Semester 2020 intake Orientation for the January Semester 2020 intake on 6 January 2020.

Close to 100 new students and international

Deans of the School of Engineering and

students on exchange were welcomed to the

Technology, School of Environment, Resources

campus on 6 January 2020 by AIT President

and Development, School of Management, the

Dr. Eden Woon, the Vice President for Academic

AIT Student Union President and senior adminis-

Affairs, the Vice President for Knowledge

tration officials.

Transfer, the Vice President for Administration,

Master's students promote AIT on Thai national TV

Ms.Nutkritta Udomkittayachai

(Environmental Engineering and

Ma-nagement) and Mr. Kantapon

Pornprasertsakul (Computer Sci-

ence) represented AIT students

on February 25 during an appea-

rance on Thai PBS, a national

television network in Thailand.

They discussed the opportuni-

King’s and Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships, and Royal Thai ties provided by His Majesty the Government Fellowships to study at AIT.

RECENT NEWS/ HAPPENINGS AT AIT

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 14

Promotion of Dr. Anil Kumar Anal, Dr. Sangam Shrestha, and Dr. Nophea Sasaki to full professor rank

AIT is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Anil Kumar Anal, Dr. Sangam Shrestha and Dr.

Nophea Sasaki from the rank of Associate Professor to Full Professor, following the approval of the Board of the Trustees at its meeting held on 9 January 2020.

Dr. Anal joined AIT as an

Dr. Shrestha joined AIT as an As-

Dr. Sasaki joined AIT as an As-

Assistant Professor in the School

sistant Professor in the School

sociate Professor in the School of

of Environment, Resources and

of Engineering and Technology

Environment, Resources and De-

Development (SERD) in August

(SET) in November 2009 and

velopment (SERD) in 2016. Dr.

2009 and was promoted to the

was promoted to the rank of As-

Sasaki earned his PhD (Hons.) in

rank of Associate Professor in

sociate Professor in 2015. He

Agriculture major in Forest Man-

2014. He obtained his PhD in

obtained his PhD in Integrated

agement from the United Gradu-

Food Engineering and Biopro-

River Basin Management from

ate School of Agriculture Gifu

cess Technology and M.Sc. in

the University of Yamanashi, Ja-

University, Japan in 2002. He

Bioprocess Technology degrees

pan in 2007 and his M.Sc. in In-

obtained his Master of Science

from AIT in 2003 and 1998,

tegrated Water Resources Man-

in Agriculture majoring in Forest

respectively. He earned his Doc-

agement from AIT in 2004. Dr.

Management from Shinshu Uni-

tor of Veterinary Medicine from

Shrestha also earned his Master

versity, Nagano, Japan in 1999.

the University of Agriculture, of Science (Agriculture) degree Dr. Sasaki graduated from the

Faisalabad, Pakistan in 1995. Dr.

from the Institute of Agriculture

Royal University of Agriculture,

Anal’s research encompasses the

and Animal Science, Tribhuvan

Phnom Penh, Cambodia with a

areas of green technology, smart

University, Nepal in 2002.

Bachelor of Science in Forestry

food processing and packaging.

in 1994.

CV of Dr. Sangam Shrestha:

CV of Dr. Anil Kumar Anal:

http://bit.ly/2MbZpcB

CV of Dr. Nophea Sasaki: http://

http://bit.ly/2OogoeA

bit.ly/2RbzGnl

Promotion

Welcome

Dr. Chutiporn Anutariya,

Dr. Chaklam Silpa-

Associate Professor in suwanchai has been

the Department of Infor-

appointed as Assistant

mation and Communica-

Professor in the De-

tion Technologies of the

partment of Informa-

School of Engineering &

tion & Communication

Technology was appoint-

Technologies (ICT) in

ed as Associate Dean the School of Engineer -

for Academic Affairs effective 1 February 2020 to 31

ing and Technology (SET), effective from January

December 2021. As Associate Dean, she will assist the 2020. His research areas include Brain-Computer

Dean in dealing with the students, recruitment of Interfaces, Human-Computer Interaction, Phy-new students, curriculum review and development, siological Interfaces. Office: Room 101 at CSIM

coordinating special programs and academic affairs.

Building | Tel: 5704 | Email: chaklam@ait.ac.th

SEMINARS/ WORKSHOPS/ CONFERENCES

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 15

RIMES Council Meeting 2020 at

Joint Mid-Term Science and Stakeholder Workshop of “ENRICH: AIT on 8 January 2020

Enhancing Resilience to future Hydro-meteorological extremes in the Mun river basin in Northeast of Thailand” on 16 January 2020

AIT Roadshow in Mandalay, AIT Roadshow in Yangoon, AIT Roadshow in Kathmandu, Nepal

Myanmar on 18 January 2020 Myanmar on 19 January 2020

on 25 January 2020

The 'AIT Roadshow' found its way to the downtown Bangkok campus on 29 February 2020. Student recruitment representatives offered advice to 36 prospective students on how to apply to AIT

for the upcoming August 2020 semester. All applicants received a complementary English class and completed an English language entry test

Special Lecture by

University of Waterloo

Computer Scientist

Security systems in

our mobile platforms

protect our privacy.

The annual seed acceleration

Through continuous

program: TECH PLANTER in

improvement, we can

THAILAND 2020 on 23 January 2020

further protect our

information. Dr. N.

Asokan, Professor and

David R. Cheriton

Chair in Software

Systems, David R.

Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, Canada on 24 January 2020 delivered a special seminar on "Security, Privacy and Machine Learning.” He A Talk on “Agile Tech: add value in

shared his research on potential solutions against malicious your research work/career” by Iwan

contents that are hard to detect or prevent.

Spillebeen CEO, BlockchainLabs.ai,

on Monday, 27 January 2020

SEMINARS/ WORKSHOPS/ CONFERENCES

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 16

A seminar on

Expert’s Talk

"Connecting Research

on “Innovation

to Impact Agri-Business

on Financial

in next Decade" by

Services” by

Dr. Ravinder Kumar

Mr. Chalermpol

Khetarpal, Executive

Tuchinda, Vice

Secretary of APAARI,

President,

on 7 February 2020

NSTDA on

29 January 2020

President Eden Woon invited 25 students to the

"President’s Tea with Students." This informal dialogue session serves as a platform for students to share their views, concerns, and suggestions directly with the president. The sessions take place three times per semester with at most 25 students per session. The first session for the January 2020 semester took place on 13 February 2020

An Expert’s talk on

School of

“Additive Manufacturing

Management

(3D Printing) for Implants,

Special Talk on

Tissue Repair, and

"Negotiation

Personalized Medicine” by

Skills in a South

Dr. Pan Houwen Matthew

Asian context"

on 13 February 2020 at

by Hari Kumar

the AIT Entrepreneurship

Silwal, LLB,

Center.

on 14 February

2020.

AIT and The Netherlands' IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and Ministry of Infrastructure and Water conducted a Joint Scientific Workshop at AIT on 17 February 2020 to bring improved understanding on the “Estimation of 21st Century Runoff and Fluvial Sediment Supply for the Irrawaddy River Basin, Myanmar.”

SEMINARS/ WORKSHOPS/ CONFERENCES

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 17

A Workshop on learn about how to use AIT Share e-Learning platform on 17 February 2020. AIT Share is an interactive e-learning platform that provides access to the knowledge generated and offered at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) through various forms of contents. Through AIT Share, you can learn from guest speakers, AIT experts and faculty, enroll in certified online courses and even take a full degree program.

The platform is developed and managed by AIT Solutions An Expert’s talk on “Thailand and Young Entrepreneurship”

A special lecture on “Sanitation

by Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana, Executive Director, National Innovation Interventions toward SDG 6 in

Agency of Thailand (NIA) and “Mechanism of Youth Startup Fund”

Japan and Southeast Asia” by Dr.

by Mr. Pariwat Wongsamran, Director of Startup Thailand, NIA on Yoshitaka Ebie, National Institute

18 February 2020 at AIT Entrepreneurship Center for Environmental Studies

(NIES), Japan. on 19 February

2020

Celebrating the month of Love and all of its forms was the theme of A Special Seminar at AIT

this year’s AIT Cultural Show organized by the Student Union on on “Biogas Generation from

21 February 2020. The event brought a whole new perspective to Biomass” by Prof. Dr. Turgut T.

our students. Love for each other, Love for our countries, and most Onay, Bogazici University, Turkey

importantly, Love for our Earth were displayed through beautiful on 27 February 2020

aesthetics and on stage artistic performances

BACKPAGE

January & February 2020

www.ait.ac.th 18

AIT students attend Special Address by H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations

AIT School of Environment, Resources and

Development students from 8 countries were

invited to attend an invitation-only Special

Address by H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, former

Secretary General of the United Nations, on

“Climate Change and Air Pollution at

Asia-Pacific” at the United Nations Economic

and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

(ESCAP) Conference Centre, Bangkok on

31 January 2020.

AIT FACEBOOK LIVE LAUNCHED!

The AIT Roadshow Team went online to connect with prospective students via Facebook Live. ML Thanisa Choombala and Dr. Bhawat Traipattanakul hosted the 1-hour episodes in English and Thai languages.

News ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY:

AIT ROADSHOW LIVE...

You AIT Roadshow Live We are ready to answer any questions. Talk to us by commenting down below in the comment box. Academic Programs Can Use SERD - http://bit.ly/AIT_SERD

SET - http://bit.ly/AITSET

SOM - http://bit.ly/AITSOM

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