A very friendly, casual and informative public forum meeting on the topic of the 'Campus and the Environment' took place on 25 September, between representatives of the Student Union (SU) and AIT Administration officials.
The event was organized and led by the SU Environmental Committee Chair, Ms. Sk. Naureen Laila. AIT President Said Irandoust attended the activity together with Professor Peter Haddawy, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension, and Chair of the AIT Environmental Task Force; Ms. Ann Lopez, Head of the Student Office; Dr. H. L. Tien, Head, Infrastructure; and Ms. Izel Dante, Head of Administration / Education and Research Support. Over 50 students attended the forum held at the Milton E. Bender Jr. Auditorium.
The forum provided a venue not only for some to express concerns and complaints but also as a platform for airing suggestions and workable solutions for campus issues such as solid waste management, food and water quality, insect problems, stray dogs and cats, dormitory and related concerns, among others. One of the highlights of the forum was the presentation of a study by Ms. Pinnukarn Kosonkarn, a student from the Energy Field of Study, on innovative ways of conserving energy. The event actually went beyond its goal of bridging communication gaps between the administration and students. The forum provided a positive platform for the voicing of creative and innovative remedies to some campus concerns, administration officials agreed.