The new Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) highlights the growing cooperation between the United States and the Lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The four pillars of LMI are education, health, environment and infrastructure and each county is expected to take the lead role in spearheading one initiative each.

The world would be a better place in case it was like the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The harmony and diversity in culture and ideas witnessed at AIT, is a role model for the world to emulate. These were the remarks of Mr. David L. Hulse, Representative of the Ford Foundation, Indonesia, while delivering the Graduation address at the 114th graduation at AIT on 17 December 2010.

An inspirational address by H.E. Professor Atta-Ur-Rahman traversing from celestial objects to luminescent orchids, had the graduands inspired and the audience captivated on the occasion of the 114th Graduation Ceremony at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 17 December 2010. Speaking after receiving a honorary doctorate (honoris causa), Prof. Rahman, who is the Cordinator General of the Committee on Science and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Pakistan, and a UNESCO Science Laureate, Prof. Rahman remarked that in this world, “truth is stranger than fiction”.

Five unique botanical displays set up outside the AIT Community Center drew the attention of hundreds of guests and graduates attending the 114th Graduation Ceremony on 17 December 2010. One of them, “Orchid Garden”, a floral display with a compelling tree trunk as its centerpiece, caught the eye of chief judge AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust and claimed top prized in a new competition spearheaded by Sodexo’s groundskeeper staff.

222 students from 20 countries and three continents receive graduate degrees at Thailand’s international intergovernmental institute of higher learning

Eating coconuts for a meal, sleeping under the stars without a roof, and being marooned on an island may not be an ideal situation for a young student. But for Ms. Albane Coerrquetin, a Master’s student at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and a volunteer of Téléoms Sans Frontière (TSF), it was a once in a lifetime experience.

For 10 days and 10 nights, Mr. Clinton Smith had a meal that was monotonously simple – boiled rice and chicken. But even then, he considered himself fortunate. For many people in the island where Clinton was based, even this meal was not guaranteed.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) played host to the eight nation 2010 Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy Challenge championships held from 4-11 December 2010. Two finalist teams, Maldives and Saudi Arabia, qualified for the elite International Cricket Council (ICC) qualifying tournament. The World Cup finals will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2015.