In his welcome remarks, President Prof. Said Irandoust recognized a
batch of 18 visiting undergraduate exchange students from Sweden’s University of Borås. This is
the first such exchange from University of Borås, where Prof. Irandoust
was formerly president. For the benefit of others in the highly
international group, he recounted a well-known Swedish concept of
“competence” as symbolized by one’s hand. The thumb, he said, reflects
skill. The index finger denotes knowledge; the middle finger represents
experience; the ring finger symbolizes social networking; the small
finger is associated with ethics and morals; the palm involves
coordination, and the wrist involves leadership. It is the combination
of all of these attributes that will guide one’s eventual success, the
president said. Apart from University of Borås, the new students also
included exchange students from Michigan
State University.
Prof. Joydeep Dutta, Vice President for Academic Affairs, while
welcoming the new students asked the students to make most of the
opportunity of multidisciplinary learning that AIT offers. Dr.Weerakorn
Ongsakul, Dean, School of Environment, Resources and Development
(SERD); Dr. Nitin V. Afzulpurkar, Dean, School of Engineering and
Technology (SET); Dr. Barbara Igel, Dean, School of Management (SOM)
addressed the students and introduced them to their respective schools.
Mr. Lawal U Kankia, AIT Student Union President, explained the
mandate, services and activities conducted by the Student Union, and
encouraged the newcomers to make the best of their time both on and off
campus. ”Some of the most important learning you will receive is not in
the classroom. The time you spend at AIT will be one of the best times
of your life, both academically and socially,” he said.
Ms. Ann Lopez Fontanilla, Head, Student and Mr. Benjamin A. Gargabite,
Coordinator, Admission and Scholarship Office conducted the proceedings
of the Orientation Day. Later the students were acquainted of their
rights against harassment,and familiarized with the AIT Language
Center, student welfare, placement, counseling and medical services,
educational visa and government relations service, apart from student
accommodation and facility management.
Watch AIT
President Said Irandoust's full welcome address.
