External relations office outlines new initiatives
The External Relations and Communications Office is striving to become a resourceful, supportive service and networking office by driving the internal and external relations strategies of AIT and to be able to respond to the changing demand of AIT and its partners through public relations, communications and partnerships management activities.
In that light, staff members of the office have been working on a number of new initiatives with partners throughout Asia and the Middle East.
Japan
A contribution of US$147,238 was approved by the Government of Japan for AIT for fiscal year 2006. AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust and Prof. Vilas Wuwongse, vice president for external relations, visited Japan in December 2005 to meet with various governmental agencies, organizations and universities. A collaborative agreement was signed with the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Activities to be co-organized with the University of Tokyo are the joint Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S)-AIT Symposium on Sustainability Science in March 2006 and Intensive Program on Sustainability in summer 2006.
Initiatives have been taken to increase the interaction with the Japanese private sector. An AIT team also visited the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok in December 2005. Member companies in the information technology sector visited AIT in February 2006.
The new Japanese ambassador to Thailand and AIT trustee, H.E. Mr. Hideaki Kobayashi visited the campus in February 2006. During his visit, he was briefed on the partnership between Japan and AIT. Areas in which the partnership could be further strengthened were also explored.
A proposal for the modification of the utilization of income from the Japan-AIT Human Resources Development Endowment Fund has been submitted to the Japanese government. This will allow for a fund of 600,000 baht for AIT to be utilized each year.
Visitors from key Japanese partners during the reporting period include those from: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), University of Tokyo, Japan Chamber of Commerce, Tokyo Institute of Technology, National Institute of Informatics (NII) and Ochanomizu University.
Korea
The Korean government donated an additional US$500,000 to the existing Korean Endowment Fund at AIT. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will also increase the number of seconded faculty at AIT. An agreement was signed with the Korea Polytechnic University.
Taiwan
With the support of the AIT Alumni Association-Taiwan Chapter, the president and vice president for external relations visited Taipei during which they met with senior officials of the Council for Economic Planning and Development and the Bureau of International Cooperation for Culture & Education. They discussed revitalization of Taiwan's support to the institute. AIT's proposals to the Ministry of Education (approximately US$2 million) and a scholarships proposal to of the Council for Economic Planning and Development has recently been finalized.
Sri Lanka
AIT has successfully negotiated the approval of the Sri Lankan Government Parliamentary Scholarship Board in availing of two full merit-based master's scholarships a year valued at a total of US$42,000.
China
New initiatives are under way to promote AIT and to recruit students in China and India. The possibility of appointing student recruitment agencies in these countries is being investigated. AIT has established contacts with the Dongfang International Center for Education Exchange, agency in Beijing. The center is a part of the China Scholarship Council and a professional service organization registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. The China Scholarship Council is a nonprofit institution under the Ministry of Education that administrates the organization, financial support and management for Chinese going abroad to study and foreigners coming to learn in China.
India
In India, contacts have been established with several agencies listed under the British Council Web site many, many of which are already operating successfully in prominent universities in the West. Currently, six agencies have shown their interest to collaborate with AIT. These agencies have offices spread over major cities, which is an advantage for AIT, providing better coverage for tapping potential students in the Indian subcontinent. Executive directors of two agencies have already visited AIT to learn more about the institute.
In return for their services to AIT, the agencies will be given a commission of 10 percent of a student's tuition fee for one year. AIT has explicitly indicated in the agreement provided to the agencies in China and India that it shall admit and enroll only those applicants who fulfill the AIT eligibility and admission criteria. Thus, AIT would have the ultimate authority in deciding whether to admit an applicant.
As Thailand is not a priority destination for higher education as are Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, the agencies share with AIT a challenge attracting students from China and India to study in Thailand. Moreover, the potential students have other choices outside the region as well. The agencies have indicated that Thailand is a new country for them to explore but they have mentioned that the goodwill of AIT in Asia is an advantage for them. The agreements with all the agencies are proposed to be finalized by 31 March 2006.
Central Asia
The Central Asia region is an emerging market, and an AIT task force in coordination with regional experts from the United Nations Environmental Programme-Regional
Resource Center for Asia and Pacific has been formed. The president attended a meeting on the Interstate Sustainable Development Commission for Central Asia in Turkmenistan on 2 March 2006, during which AIT has now been officially listed by the participating governments as a collaborative partner.
Russia
There is a potential for AIT to attract students from Russia who currently pursue their higher studies in the West. With the assistance of the ambassador of the Russian Federation to Thailand, a high-level visit will be organized to Moscow to meet with the Ministry of Education and Science, officials from Moscow State University and other leading Russian business schools.
Jordan
AIT was invited by the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan in March 2006 to participate and present about AIT at the 9th Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South. High-level representatives from 14 member countries participated in this conference. Furthermore, meetings were arranged with senior administrators and faculty members of the University of Jordan. There is an interest to send faculty members and potential students to AIT. Discussions were also held with the Jordanian Ministry of Higher Education in this respect.
Meetings were also held with the United Nations University International Leadership Institute. There is demand for AIT to offer short-term training programs.
United Arab Emirates
AIT is preparing to enter the Middle East market, initially targeting the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The major constraint AIT faces is to get AIT programs accredited in a few focused areas that are of national importance to U.A.E. AIT will be discussing areas of possible cooperation with the ambassador of U.A.E. to Thailand and through the ambassador assistance seek an appointment with the minister of Higher Education of U.A.E., who is also the chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University and ruler of Dubai.