Moist eyes and wide smiles marked an extraordinary Orientation program
organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 6 December 2011
to welcome its students back to class.
organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 6 December 2011
to welcome its students back to class.
Barely six weeks after the complete inundation of its campus, returned
AIT students began classes at temporary campuses established at
universities in Cha-am and Hua Hin, Thailand.
AIT students began classes at temporary campuses established at
universities in Cha-am and Hua Hin, Thailand.
AIT became one of the first flood-impacted universities in Thailand to
re-launch academic classes, with over 800 students from all over the
world and across the country resuming studies as the Asian Institute of
Technology.
re-launch academic classes, with over 800 students from all over the
world and across the country resuming studies as the Asian Institute of
Technology.
A large number of these students had returned to their countries after
the floods devastated the AIT campus in Pathumthani province on 21
October 2011. More students will be rejoining in the next few
days.
the floods devastated the AIT campus in Pathumthani province on 21
October 2011. More students will be rejoining in the next few
days.
Courtesy support from Silpakorn University (Petchaburi IT campus),
Stamford International University, and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University,
whose generous offer to share facilities helped in the relocation, AIT
students are now based at these locations, while the main campus is
being cleaned and renovated.
Stamford International University, and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University,
whose generous offer to share facilities helped in the relocation, AIT
students are now based at these locations, while the main campus is
being cleaned and renovated.
Welcoming the students, AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust stated that
following AIT's worst ever crisis, which saw its beautiful campus
inundated under 2.5 metres of flood water, the institute had managed to
resume its work courtesy untiring support from all quarters.
following AIT's worst ever crisis, which saw its beautiful campus
inundated under 2.5 metres of flood water, the institute had managed to
resume its work courtesy untiring support from all quarters.
He quoted the message of the King of Thailand where His Majesty had
exhorted Thai people to unite to tackle the floods. “In a united
manner, we have exhibited solidarity and the spirit that has sustained
AIT for over five decades,” Prof. Irandoust added. Citing an example
from Chinese calligraphy, where the word crisis implies both danger and
opportunity, the AIT President remarked that the AIT community will
tide over this crisis.
exhorted Thai people to unite to tackle the floods. “In a united
manner, we have exhibited solidarity and the spirit that has sustained
AIT for over five decades,” Prof. Irandoust added. Citing an example
from Chinese calligraphy, where the word crisis implies both danger and
opportunity, the AIT President remarked that the AIT community will
tide over this crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Weera Sri-Wathana-trakoon, Governor of
Prachuabkirikhan, the Sheriff of Hua Hin, Mr. Somchai Bumroongsap
described Hua Hin as a perfect location. Hua Hin is an excellent
destination, and I hope international students will cherish their stay
here, he said.
At Hua Hin, Vice President of Silpakorn University (Petchaburi IT
campus) remarked that every crisis has a positive dimension. AIT's
crisis had led to a positive development, since it provided Silpakorn
University with an opportunity to host AIT.
campus) remarked that every crisis has a positive dimension. AIT's
crisis had led to a positive development, since it provided Silpakorn
University with an opportunity to host AIT.
Assistant President of Stamford International University (SIU),
Dr. Ekkapong Na Ranong, hoped that AIT students would utilize this
opportunity to create greater networks.
Dr. Ekkapong Na Ranong, hoped that AIT students would utilize this
opportunity to create greater networks.
“When we saw the photographs of the devastation caused at AIT, we
decided to offer our facilities to help students continue on their
mission of receiving quality education,” he added.
decided to offer our facilities to help students continue on their
mission of receiving quality education,” he added.
The students were greeted by the three AIT Deans, Dr. Weerakorn
Ongsakul of the School of Environment, Resources and Development
(SERD), Dr. Nitin Afzulpulkar of the School of Engineering and
Technology (SET), and Dr. Barbara Igel of the School of Management
(SOM) - all of whom thanked the hosts at Silpakorn, SIU and Rajabhat
for their generosity and help.
Ongsakul of the School of Environment, Resources and Development
(SERD), Dr. Nitin Afzulpulkar of the School of Engineering and
Technology (SET), and Dr. Barbara Igel of the School of Management
(SOM) - all of whom thanked the hosts at Silpakorn, SIU and Rajabhat
for their generosity and help.
President of AIT Student Union, Avishek Kumar Karky remarked that the
AIT spirit was once again evident within six weeks. “We are rebuilding
AIT again.”
AIT spirit was once again evident within six weeks. “We are rebuilding
AIT again.”
