The ‘Visit-AIT Day’ held on 2 July 2007 drew 196 prospective Thai students. Some of them were accompanied by their parents. Aiming to share a glimpse of AIT, applicants were able to partake a slice of campus life while meeting students, faculty and staff from various nationalities. Sponsored by the Royal Thai Government Coordination Office and coordinated by the Student Office, the one-day event was envisioned to assist applicants in this crucial period when they finalize their decision to further their study at the Institute.
Of the 196, 124 are eyeing to enter the School of Engineering & Technology; 52 have applied to the School of Environment, Resources and Development; while 20 have lodged their intention to get admission to the School of Management for August 2007 semester. The event also paved the way for parents to learn how their children will spend their life at the institute for the next 2 or more years.
The activity covered two sessions. The morning session jumped off with a 30-minute English mini-test, which was administered by Mr. Matthew Laszweski, Language Center Director. The mini-test gave applicants a try-out to the AIT English Interview Test, which can substitute TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS to comply with the English proficiency requirement for admission.
Out of the 69 applicants who did the try-out, 26 were assessed ready to take the actual test while 43 were advised to practice a bit more. The 43 who were not ready will be given a 1-day coaching workshop (free of charge) to facilitate their passing the AIT Interview test.
The latter part of the morning consisted of presentations on the AIT academic life which was delivered by Professor Peter Haddawy, Vice President for Academic Affairs; financial supports for Thai students from the Royal Thai Government (RTG), by Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, faculty representative to RTG; student learning support facilities and services by Ms. Ann Lopez-Fontanilla, Head of Student Office, while a display of off-classroom student activities was shared by Mr. Rathsayam Tiyarathtagam, Student Union President.
One of the highlights of the morning programme was a talk by Mr. Chainarong Na Lamphun, a prominent Thai alumnus, who is the President and CEO of Index International Co. Ltd. In his talk – ‘A Door to Success for Future Leaders’, Mr. Chainarong inspired applicants by describing the many opportunities that will open to them when they study at AIT. Giving examples of a number of well-known Thai personalities who have graduated from the Institute, Mr. Chainarong impressed upon the applicants rosy career prospects by having an AIT degree.
The afternoon session was spent in meetings with faculty and campus tours to the Schools, laboratories, facilities, dormitories, library, and other facilities. Over 20 student-volunteers from different countries led these tours. These ‘peer walks’ allowed applicants to acquire first-hand insights from students on how it is to actually live and study at AIT.
How these students came to know about AIT and why they decided to apply? The following were their views:
Kiatkong Tanapad, a prospective doctoral student in International Business, SOM. He has an MBA from University of Sydney in Marketing and Finance
“One year ago I didn’t know about AIT at all, but I got to know many respectful persons in the Thai economy sector who advised me to further my doctoral degree here. I also learned more about AIT from many other sources--some friends of my family, company’s consultants, customers, and colleagues at my former work place at Thai Cement Co., Ltd. and at the current workplace--Ocean Views company where I am responsible for arranging the company’s internal system, work flow, and marketing plan and marketing analysis of construction market. Today, at the orientation, I just found out about the scholarships which I didn’t apply yet.
Studying at AIT, I probably plan to do my dissertation on transferring the cultural commerce from various countries into Thailand. With my plans of studying at AIT, I expect to have greater connections and network in Thailand and Asia.”
Jutamas Suwandee, a prospective doctoral student in Information Management, SET. She received a Master of Science in Information Systems from Southern Polytechnique State University (SPSU), USA
“Apart from having some friends studying here, there was a person who told me that if I would like to study in IT field, AIT is the best choice to Asia, so I decided to join AIT. This is my first time being here and today I would like to learn more about the content of the course and talk with the faculty. From the internet, I think the course content is quite interesting.”
Chompoonuj Chandrathip, a prospective doctoral student in Urban Environmental Management, SERD. She has an MPA (Master of Public Administration) from NIDA
“I am now working in a consultant company. I heard about SERD from my lecturer who is an AIT alumnus. I also found that AIT has a variety of courses with the mixture of different cultures and professionalism of professors and look forward to learn and exchange opinion with competent classmates. Studying at AIT, I expect to improve more on self development, learning international culture, up to date knowledge from applications in various fields of work, and join AIT’s prestigious alumni’s network.
I changed my field of study because I look at broader aspect. To make our country grow and develop more with poverty mitigation and sustainability, we need to look at the environment at the same time. Currently, we can’t solve the country’s problem with only one knowledge. Working at a company, we have to wait for the customers to pay us first before we can provide the knowledge. Actually, I feel that the knowledge can be transferred. And we should be in the posititon that we can provide the knowledge so that our society can be rapidly developed. For example, if we have a good technology such as NGV instead of using imported energy, we should use it in the whole country or the whole world so that pollution gets lesser. Transfer of knowledge is vital to sustainable development and everybody will be happy and make a better society. After graduation, I will make myself more knowledgeable to be able to teach.
Studying at AIT, I expect to increase self development, learning international culture, up to date knowledge from applications in various fields of work, and join AIT’s prestigious alumni’s network.”
Sungkom Bunboon, a prospective Master’s student in Offshore Technology and Management (OTM), SET. He has a bachelor’s degree from Chiangmai in University in Geology
“I learned about AIT from the institute’s website and from my colleague at my workplace. I opted to come to AIT because the institute has the reputation in international program and hope to gain good experience in everything that I will learn from here.”
Nikom Kraitud, a prospective Master’s student in Water Engineering and Management Field of Study, SET. He has a bachelor’s degree in Irrigation Engineering, Kasetsart University (KU).
“Today, I learned further information about the institute and got to know many friends. Before, I learned about AIT from the internet and from my faculty at KU who is an alumnus here. After graduation, I hope to use the knowledge from AIT to develop the country. If I have a chance, I will further my doctoral study at AIT.”
Dhira Dhiravegin, a prospective doctoral student in International Business, SOM. He has an MBA from Missouri State University, USA.
“I feel very impressed of being here today even though I came here several times before. I look forward to learn more knowledge and get to know new friends here. I learned about AIT from internet and an advertisement in Matichon newspaper. I also found that AIT is a very reputable university with a strong team of qualified faculty members as well as international program which I am quite familiar with. Studying for my bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English language as well as working in a multinational company, I think it would be good to study at AIT.”
Sumethee Sontikul, a prospective Master’s student in Transportation Engineering. He graduated in Civil Engineering from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang (KMUTL).
“I chose to further my study at AIT because the institute has qualified alumni who get the job almost 100% right after graduation. AIT is also a very famous institute which is mostly recognized by other countries. Most of my senior friends at KMUTL also furthered their studies at AIT and told me that the field has a very good curriculum and the faculty members are very nice and helpful. Moreover, AIT is one among only two universities in Thailand that offers transportation program in Master’s degree level, which is the only field that I would like to study. What I will gain from here is a complete knowledge and the English language skills I’ll develop, will give me more opportunities to work in a multinational company. After graduation, I will work and might get a scholarship to further my study here in MBA, but maybe 5-6 years later.”
Watcharapon Tawarat, a prospective Master’s student in Offshore Technology and Management, SET. He graduated from Rajamangala University of Technology Southern Campus
“I learned about AIT from the internet as well as from my friend. I chose to further my study here because of the institute’s good reputation. I hope to get better job and knowledge in specific field in the near future at AIT.”
Sorawit Na Nongkhai, a prospective Master’s student in Natural Resource Management (NRM), SERD
“I graduated from Chiangmai University in Microbiology and found about AIT’s NRM program from the internet and learned that this is the field of study that I would to study.”
Patcharee Tirakom, a prospective Master’ student in Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology. A graduate from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Food Science and Technology
“The atmosphere of the event today was very warm. It is just like being in another family not like studying. It’s good to study here because AIT is an international institute located in this country. I don’t have to spend my life in another country. I found about AIT from its reputation and from my faculty who is an alumnus.”
Some of the students were accompanied by their parents who also expressed their views.
Assoc. Prof. Prachitr Mahahing, a faculty at Northeastern University, Khonkaen, whose daughter is joining Telecommunications FoS, SET, told that AIT has a high prestige and it is easy to get a job after graduating from AIT and has big opportunity to have progress in the career. And many students have ambitions to study here. As a father, he prefers his daughter to study here.
He also viewed that the event was quite concise and the presenters provided clear information on various aspects. He likes the atmosphere of AIT campus which is located far from the central Bangkok.
Mr. Suthee Krieimsaad, who accompanied his son who intends to join OTM said he was impressed with the event and was glad that his son will get scholarships to study for three semesters.