AIT’s auditorium was packed-full on 14 August with 538 out of the 647 confirmed new students taking part in the Asian Institute of Technology’s 2007 August Semester Student Orientation.
Of the total 647 students who have clearly indicated their intention to enrol, 320 will be based at the School of Engineering and Technology, 205 at the School of Environment, Resources and Development, and 122 at the School of Management. The total is expected to increase a bit more until the final deadline for registration on 24 August.
Compared to August Semester 2006, in which 562 registered, this year's expected total enrolment of 647 showed an increase of about 15%. In terms of full-fee equivalent, this translates to 514 full-fee paying students compared to 439 in 2006, a leap of about 17% in terms of tuition revenue.
The orientation showcased a full-day’s event with three distinct but inter-related programmes designed to provide the many new students with briefings that helped them understand the "ins" and "outs" of studying and living at AIT.
During the morning session, the students were briefed by AIT President Said Irandoust and members of the administration on various facets of AIT and life on campus.
The event was graced by Mr. Thanin Bumrungsap, an AIT alumnus, who delivered an inspirational address. Mr. Thanin is one from among a long list of distinguished AIT alumni from Thailand. Currently the Vice President of Italian-Thai Development Plc., Thailand's largest construction firm, Khun Thanin graduated with a Master's Degree in Geotechnical Engineering from AIT in 1972. Among his list of his achievements are the subsoil investigation of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport; two large hydroelectric dams (Bang Lang Dam and Vajiralongkorn Dam), and the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project in Lao PDR.
The afternoon session kicked-off with a briefing on the academic code of conduct and the Institute's harassment policy. It proceeded with details on the wide-ranging services of the Institute. Among those that stimulated a lot of excitement are two initiatives offered for the first time – a 50% subsidy for students who would like to buy their own laptops, and the Siam City-AIT Platinum Credit Card offering that promises to pool a scholarship fund from the cards' earnings.
The day ended with a very entertaining and warm get-together with the Student Union. The activity introduced new intakes to AIT life outside the classroom.
Professor Peter Haddawy, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Ms. Ann Lopez, Head of Student Affairs, and all members of her team, organized the event with the contribution extended by all the faculty, staff and students in making the event a success.
