Iranian prospective students in focus

For the first time in its history, last month AIT participated in an
educational exhibition in Iran to promote the institute to the many
prospective students existing in the large central Asian country. At
the Thailand Trade Exhibition held in Tehran from 10 to 13 August 2008,
the Institute joined Chulalongkorn University and the Asian University
of Science and Technology (AUST) in a common booth for promotional
purposes.

The exhibition was organized by the Thai Embassy in Iran and
Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand. This
was the second such Thailand trade exhibit at the event in Tehran. AIT
was represented by Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Program Officer from the
External Relations and Communication Office (ERCO), who also assisted
Chulalongkorn University’s promotional activities. Dr. Salam A.
Hoshang, Associate Dean and head of the MIS department of the Faculty
of Business from Asian University, also participated in the exhibition.
This was the first time that educational institutes from Thailand had
the opportunity to participate at this event.

During the inauguration of the exhibition, Mr. Mirkarimi,
General Sectary of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Capt. Suwipan
Thisyamondol, Executive Director, International Trade Training
Institute, Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, and
Mr. Chairat Sirvat, Ministry and Head of Chancery, Embassy of Thailand,
Tehran, explained that the exhibition was intended to promote
face-to-face contacts between the Thai and Iranian business
representatives. More than 30 booths from Thai and Iranian
organizations and companies presented their products and services at
the exhibition. An average of 500-800 visitors a day attended the
event. 

To spur interest from students, the Thai Embassy provided AIT,
Chulalongkorn University and AUST with one of the best locations at the
fair. AIT’s Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal said the booth received an average of
100 visitors per day, with approximately 20 to 30 young people showing
keen interest in learning more about the academic opportunities
available in Thailand, including at AIT.  Most visitors were
interested in master’s and doctoral studies in the areas of management,
engineering and technology. “Subsequent to our participation, some
prospective students in Iran have already contacted our faculty members
seeking their advice on enrolling into our PhD programs,” Mr Rabgyal
said.

Mr. Homayoun Roustaei, Counsellor, first department for West Europe,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iraan, who is slated to become the Deputy
Head of the Embassy of Iran to Thailand from September 2008 onward, and
Mr. Roustaei and Mr. Ali Lotfi, an economics expert attached with the
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, both visited at the exhibition
booth. Currently, AIT boasts at total of 23 alumni from Iran. Based on
AIT’s participation in the exhibition, student recruitment officials
have expressed the hope that applications from Iran will increase in
the 2009 academic year.

AIT expresses its sincere thanks and gratitude to the Thai Embassy in
Iran and alumnus Dr. Wanchai Varavithya, Director of the Thai Trade
Center, Department of Export Promotion, Tehran, for their support and
assistance extended to the AIT-Chulalongkorn University-Asian
University of Science and Technology Consortium that was put together
for in this unique promotional activity.