Prof. Irandoust also expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of
AIT. The donation from the AIT community followed a voluntary effort of
many individuals and groups, particularly the AIT Student Union, which
had organized several activities for fund raising. They also dedicated
the AIT Cultural Show held on 1 May 2011 to Japan.
Mr. Lawal Umar Kankia, President AIT Student Union, informed H.E. Mr.
Kojima about the range of activities organized by the Student Union. He
said that a strong sense of unity prevails among the AIT community in
its efforts to help people in Japan, who are very much “a part of
AIT.”
Prof. Irandoust also informed H.E. Ambassador that donation from the
AIT alumni is being made through other channels. Children of the AIT
International School, which is housed within the AIT Campus, also made
a significant contribution to the donation efforts.
H.E. Mr. Kojima expressed his appreciation on behalf of the people in
Japan for AIT’s support and conveyed the message from the Honorable
Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Naoto Kan, regarding the Government’s
commitment to establish “the most sophisticated” reconstruction plans
for East Japan, which involves creating a society that is more
resistant to natural disasters, a social system where people and
environment live in harmony, and a compassionate society towards the
vulnerable.
During the meeting, Dr. Masahiko Nagai, Associate Director of the
Geoinformatics Center (GIC) at AIT, presented his work as project
manager on the Japan’s International Charter on ‘Space and Major
Disasters’. Dr. Nagai who is seconded to AIT by the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency (JAXA) is coordinating the emergency satellite
observation and rapid analysis to provide maps and satellite images for
rescue and relief operations. Also joining the meeting were Mr.
Tomoyuki Sakairi, First Secretary of Embassy of Japan, and Ms. Tiamkare
Thitithamtada, Program Officer, External Relations and Communications
Office, AIT.
From left to right: H.E. Mr. Seiji
Kojima, Mr. Tomoyuki Sakairi, and Mr. Lawal Umar Kankia.