On January 8, 2003, the delegation from Montclair State University (MSU) visited AIT. The delegation consists of Pres. Susan A. Cole; Dr. Gigliotti, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Masrina Cunningham, Director of the Global Education Center; Dr. Denneth Olenik, Professor of Asian History; Dr. Anne Marie di Lorenzo, Professor of Biology; Christopher Fitzpatrick, President of the Student Government and Inbal Kahanov, Managing Editor of the Student newspaper.
Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Kahanov had some general discussion and exchange idea on management curriculum and requirements for a degree program, campus life and activities, opportunities for real-life business exposures, student organizations, student newspapers, and others.
Dr. Jirapan Liangrokapart (SOM) and four doctoral students including Khun Sawai Siritongthaworn, Khun Usapan Swasdio, Khun Sunanta Chaisrakeo, and Khun Suthisak Kraisornsuthasinee as well as Khun Nittaya Katkasem (PSSU) welcomed them.
On January 13, 2003, the executives from Communications Research Laboratory (CRL), Japan visited AIT. The delegation was comprised of (from left):
Dr. Wataru Chujo, Director, CRL, Asia Research Center; Mr. Fumihiko Nakagawa, Supervisor, Strategic Planning Division, CRL, Asia Research Center; and CRL Vice President Mr. Yasuyoshi Sakai
The visit aimed at discussing CRL-AIT collaboration. Mr. Sakai also took the opportunity to invite AIT administrators and faculty to the formal opening of the CRL Asia Research Center scheduled on April 3, 2003.
On January 14, 2003, Ms. Jean Dickason (left), President, Cetana Educational Foundation (CEF) visited AIT and was welcomed by Prof. Gothom Arya (right). Her visit was aimed at discussing the support of CEF to Myanmar students at AIT with the positive possibility of supporting more students in the August 2003 intake.
Seen during the meeting with Ms. Jean Dickason are from left: Mr. Benjie Gargabite, Admissions and Scholarships Officer; Mr. Somchai Homlaor; Prof Gothom Arya, Registrar; Mrs. Kanya Worawichawong, Corporate Relations Coordinator and Mr. Karma Rana, Institute Secretary.
Seen exchanging the MoUs after signing ceremony are (from left) Prof. Jean-Louis Armand, AIT President and Prof. Marlis Rahmna, Rector, Andalas University.
On January 16, 2003, an MoU was signed between Andalas University, West Sumatra, Indonesia and AIT. The MoU details on the collaboration in research specifically in the field of natural resource management and environmental policy formulation, rural development, and technology development in Indonesia and other South-East Asian Countries and collaboration in master degree program development at Andalas University under proposed Ford Foundation grant to Andalas University (PSI-SDALP UNAND). The special focus of initial collaboration will include Andalas faculty attending Ph.D. training at AIT and AIT faculty teaching masters level courses related to Natural Resources Management and Poverty Alleviation on a modular format at Andalas University. In addition, selected small numbers of top three master students of Natural Resources Management and Poverty Alleviation degree will be attending second semester ongoing courses at AIT for initial two years of program. The MoU has also laid foundation for collaboration in curricular development and other short term specific courses that provide a comprehensive prospective on technology and rural technology development, land use planning and resource management in Indonesia and other countries in South-East Asia. The coordination of joint activities will be provided by faculty from AIT (Dr. Ganesh P. Shivakoti, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics) and PSI-SDALP UNAND (Dr. Helmi, Director, PSI-SDALP UNAND.
Posing for posterity after the signing ceremony (from left): Dr. Ganesh Shivakoti, Karma Rana, Prof Chongrak Polprasert, Prof. Gothom Arya, Prof. Mario Tabucanon, Prof Jean Louis Armand, Prof. Marlis Rahman, Rector of Andalas University; Prof. Hazli Nurdin, Director of Graduate Program, Andalas Univ.; and Dr. Helmi Director of Center for Irrigation, Land and Water Resources, and Development Studies, Andalas University.