AIT had a fruitful promotions brainstorming meeting on 11 October 2007, which was coordinated by the External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO) to initiate effective and efficient coordination of institute-wide promotional activities. The meeting was coordinated by the External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO), with representation from all three schools - including Deans of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET), and the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD).
The outputs of the meeting can be summarized as follows:
- "Promotions" should NOT be focused on just student recruitment, but also on research at AIT, prospective training participants; sponsored projects; faculty exchange; student exchange and network building;
- The number of students enrolled in each school should not be more than the capacity of the school - in terms of number of faculty and available infrastructure, in order to maintain quality;
- The number of qualified applications for graduate studies at AIT, representative of the Institute's international character, has to be greatly increased in order to have a greater choice and selection of the best students;
- The target group of prospective students of each school/FoS are varied; the Schools/FoS are requested to inform ERCO about their prospective student target groups;
- The Schools do not have their annual promotional plans, but are requested to share at least a quarterly promotional plan with ERCO;
- Head-ERCO and ERCO staff assigned to individual Schools are urged to attend the Schools’ promotional meetings; the Schools will inform ERCO about such meetings’ details (date, time, location);
- Participating in educational exhibitions may assist in increasing the visibility/image of AIT amongst the general public in the target countries/cities and generate students - but targeted seminars in partner universities may be more effective;
- More effective ways are to be sought for increasing the visibility/image of AIT amongst the public in the target countries/cities;
- We should not be desperate in getting students, and thus compromising on the quality;
- It is encouraged to seek help from current students in promotional activities;
- Current faculty/staff and, importantly, successful alumni, could also help in promotions; and
- Putting increased efforts in the publication of popular articles and stories in the media.
During the brainstorming meeting, there were lively discussions between the central administration and the Schools. There was enthusiastic participation of ERCO and the School’s teams. More of such discussions are expected to be held into the future.