Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) celebrated its golden jubilee at
India by organizing a press conference and a mini exhibition at the Taj
Mahal Hotel at New Delhi. The occasion saw participation from senior
AIT functionaries, representatives of the government , private sector
and alumni.
AIT Vice President (Research), Prof. Sudip K. Rakshit took the
opportunity to highlight the long and cordial relations between AIT and
India. Prof. Rakshit thanked the Government of India for having deputed
more than 100 visiting faculty members to AIT since 1974. Annually the
Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) of the Government of
India deputes 12 faculty members to AIT. The Government of India also
provides funds for research work conducted in India by students and
faculty members of AIT.
Mr. Ashok Thakur, Additional Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MHRD), assured continued support to AIT.
The Indian government envisioned a 30 per cent growth in the education
sector by the year 2020. He also stated that Government will permit
full ownership of an Indian campus to non profit ventures by foreign
Institutes.
Mr. Arun Balakrishnan, Board Member of School of Management, AIT and
Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
Limited stated that students at AIT not only acquire an advanced
education but also gain a broaden vision of different cultures,
perspectives and approaches to life. “It is this multicultural
environment that provides them invaluable lessons which are crucial to
the future development of India as well as to their mother
countries.”
Prof. Gajendra Singh, Former Vice President of Academic Affairs (AIT)
and Former Dean of AIT Extension shared his experience of working at
AIT. Prof. Ashok Chandra, former member of AIT Executive Committee
stated that his association with AIT began in 1984 when AIT was
celebrating its silver jubilee.
Others who attended the function included Prof. Prem Vrat, Former
Chairman of Industrial Engineering, Prof. P. R. Agrawal, former
seconded AIT faculty member, Prof. M.M. Salunkhe,Vice Chancellor,
Central University of Rajasthan, Prof. Hemant K. Abhyankar, Director,
Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune, Dr. Subhash Salunke,
Assistant Regional Director, WHO, Delhi, Y.K. Jain, General Manager,
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
Limited, Mr. Bhagirath Choudhary, National Coordinator, ISAA South Asia
Office, and Mr. Arvind Kumar, Executive, Global Reach. Apart from Prof.
Rakshit, the AIT delegation included Dr. Pritam K. Shrestha, Head,
External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO) and Mr. Tenzin
Rabgyal, Program Officer at ERCO.
The event was also covered by the media. http://www.dayafterindia.com/nov209/international10.html