The President mentioned that in the Gulf states, hundreds of millions
of dollars are being spent on open branches to top US and European
universities. Singapore and Saudi Arabia are creating new global
universities, while China is planning its own Ivy League. India is
creating 14 new comprehensive universities and has announced opening up
of the higher education sector to foreign universities. “If we believe
that the changes in the educational landscape in Asia are not affecting
us, then we are simplifying too much,” President Irandoust remarked. He
added that if AIT does not react to changes, then it would not be
acting responsibly.
Presenting the state of finances, student enrolment, current and
future projects, the AIT President outlined some proposals being
initiated during the next few years. An update on the Conceptual Study
on the “Exploration of new Financing / Fund Model for AIT” was provided
by Independent Consultants Dr. Markku Oksanen and Mr. Niclas Lindgren.
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development
gave a presentation on “AIT Endowment Fund Campaign” and “AIT Day
2010”. The presentations were followed by a discussion.
