In conjunction with the Southeast and South Asia and Taiwan
Universities (SATU) Presidents' Forum, the first SATU
2008 Youth Forum took place at the National Cheng
Kung University (NCKU) from 9-12 November 2008.
This Youth Forum aims to encourage students to think outside of the box
and empower them to speak out and be heard. SATU aims to help the youth
realize their important roles and duties as future leaders.
Ms. Thitikan Satchabut (Peace)
with AIT president
Prof. Said Irandoust (third from left),
Dr. Pritam Shrestha (Head of External Relations and Communications
Office, left)
and fellow delegate Mr. Md. Mustafa Saroar (far right).
One student from each SATU member university (a total of maximum 150
students) was selected and funded by SATU Secretariat upon
recommendation by their respective institutions. Three student
representatives from AIT: Mr. Md. Mustafa
Saroar, doctoral student at RRDP/SERD; Ms. Thitikan
Satchabut, master's student at NRM/SERD; and Ms. Chai
Xiaying, master's student at IPM/SOM - attended the SATU
Forum. The representatives were selected after a series of
interviews with candidates who were shortlisted from out of the 52
strong applicants.
When asked about the experience, Ms. Thitikan Satchabut said, "Global
issues such as Climate Change and other environmental related problems
were given importance throughout the lectures and group discussions.
The youth participants were divided into eight groups to work
together and propose a project focusing on global issues. After
long discussions, my group proposed a project named “Ending Poverty
Now”. Our project actually received the most pertinent theme prize from
the conference."
AIT student representatives with
Taiwanese delegates.
Mr. Mustafa Saroar also shared his first impressions, "Though it was
my first time in Taiwan, I was ofcourse familiar with the tiger
country. I was impressed with the country especially due to the fact
that the poor comprise only 1% of the total population. This is very
significant and is better than some developed countries such as the
United States where the average poverty line is at 6-7%. Thailand
itself is at 26%."
Through his interactions with various students, faculty and
representatives from approximately 100 universities and institute,
Mustafa was convinced that AIT's position is competitive and
carries a strong reputation. In comparison to others, he noticed that
AIT's faculty base is one of the few that is truly international.
The SATU Secretariat sponsored the airfare, accommodations and meals
for one AIT representative. The institute covered the other two
representatives' airfare and accommodation.