AIT is proposing the concept of establishing a joint center involving areas such as Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and Information and Communications Technology in honour of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The proposed Center would combine efforts and strengths of other centers and organizations involved in these fields in Thailand and overseas, and other relevant national and international agencies. The main activities of this new center would be: to conduct applied research and capacity building in the fields of geoinformatics and information technology, in order to gain more profound knowledge in exploiting the technologies to benefit Thailand as well as other countries in the region; and to create a network of professionals in the fields of RS, GIS and IT in the Asian region - in fulfilling HRH Princess Sirindhorn's vision of Asians helping Asians. The Center would also help bring together the knowledge and expertise spread across various organizations.
On Sunday 21 October 2007, AIT President Said Irandoust along with Professor Vilas Wuwongse, Vice President for External Relations met with Professor Shunji Murai, who was a former faculty member at AIT and currently serves as Adjunct Professor in the RS & GIS field of study. During the meeting, Prof. Murai was asked for his advice on the concept of the proposed joint center. The AIT administration also updated him and sought his advice on the strategic development plan thematic research area ICT for development.