Seminar on "Strategic Planning in Higher Education - A Guide for Leaders"
Dr Ioan Marinescu (http://www-mime.eng.utoledo.edu/people/faculty/imarinescu/), Professor, Mechanical, Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department, and Director of the Precision Micro-Machining Center, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA, will, upon the invitation of AIT President, deliver a seminar on "Strategic Planning in Higher Education - A Guide for Leaders". The seminar, to be held on Tuesday, 3 July 2007, from 8.30 a.m. in the Milton E Bender Jr Auditorium, will focus on strategic planning of graduate programs, including new programs, cost analysis, and improvement of existing programs.

AIT and Kathmandu University Collaborate on Research and Degree Programs

AIT and Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal, are exploring the possibilities of collaborations in joint research programs particularly in the areas of technology management, environmental engineering and other areas where there is a need for R&D; that could contribute to Nepal's development.

AIT President Meets with President of Shinawatra University

Last week, AIT President Said Irandoust together with Dr. Nitin Afzulpurkar met with Prof. Prida Wibulswas, President of Shinawatra University and a member of AIT Executive Committee, to consult and seek his advice on the proposed undergraduate concept proposal from Singhania University.

FOI-Swedish Defence Research Agency Delegates Learn About AIT's Underwater Technology
Dr. Matts Gustavsson (above right), Head of Department of Underwater Research at FOI- Swedish Defence Research Agency in Sweden, visited AIT recently and met with Dr. Mukund S Babel, Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, Dr. Amararatne Yakupitiyage, Dr. S. L. Ranamukhaarachchi and Dr. Manukid Parnichkun, to learn more about AIT's activities and to explore areas in which there could be mutual cooperation.

New SOM Board Member

Mr. Arun Balakrishnan, new Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), India, accepted an invitation to serve on AIT's School of Management Board. Mr. B M Lal, former HPCL Chairman & Managing Director, who retired in March 2007, continues to serve as an SOM Board member.

Acting Field Coordinator of Transportation Engineering

Upon the departure of Dr. Shinya Hanaoka, Dr. Kunnawee Kanitpong (above) was appointed by Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology (SET) as Acting Coordinator of Transportation Engineering Field of Study, effective from 8 June 2007 until further announcement.

AIT Associate Dean Invited as Fellow of the Society of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Congratulations to Dr. Joydeep Dutta, Associate Dean for New Development, SET and Director, Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, for having been invited to be a Fellow of the Society of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (http://www.

IP Initiative Update

Prof. Sudip Rakshit, Vice President for Research, and members of the Intellectual Property (IP) Committee continue to explore alternative licensing models for potential innovative inventions from AIT research, which can either be patented or be licensed directly to end users.

Free NGV Open Air Bus Shuttle Service between AIT-TU-NSTDA

As part of the efforts of the AIT-Thammasat University (TU)-National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) campus subcommittee, a free NGV open air bus shuttle service between AIT, TU and Science Park was launched on 14 May 2007. The bus stops in front of the AIT Conference Center near the Bookstore and the bus service is available daily (except public holidays) from AIT to TU hospital and to the Asian Game Zone A. AIT community members can also take a connecting bus from the TU campus to the Thailand Science Park.

Doctoral comprehensive examinations scheduled
Ms. Kannapa Pongponrat (RRP028076), a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning field of study, School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) will have her comprehensive examination on Wednesday, 4 July 2007, 10:00 a.m. in Room S101, SERD Building.