Inside the still flood-damaged AIT Conference Center Auditorium, a
large number of AIT Community members looked on as AIT President Prof.
Said Irandoust and the institute’s management team spoke from the heart
on a number of critical issues and challenges facing AIT.
“I need your support. Everything is in our own hands as AIT. Nothing
is impossible,” President Irandoust said.
Director of the ASEAN Regional Center on MDGs Dr. Sandro Calvani was
the emcee for the two-hour forum. The event came as faculty, staff
and students ready for the upcoming June 1st graduation
ceremony, work towards the next stage of the institute’s
post-flood recovery, and prepare to welcome incoming students in
August.
Key talking points included AIT’s legal status vis-à-vis its host
country, Thailand, ongoing rehabilitation efforts, upcoming plans for
rebuilding, updates on the institute's financial status, and other
activities and initiatives.
From the president on down to the vice presidents, school deans and
head of finance, AIT’s senior-most officials recounted the
unprecedented days before and after the inundation of the campus last
October 21. All underscored their remarks with optimism. Despite the
recent tough times, AIT’s best days still lay ahead if the institute
comes together, they said.
Head of Finance Mr. Noppadon Rittipongshusit outlined AIT’s current
financial situation with an extensive presentation.
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resources
Development, summarized activities to rehabilitate the campus and
updated on the status of funding. He announced that no funds could be
expected from the Royal Thai Government this year but stated that the
institute expects to receive 115 million Baht from its insurance
company.
Rebuilding and upgrading work is now ongoing at locations across the
campus, he said. The two most urgent projects are the re-configuration
of the AIT Extension Building into lecture theater complex housing all
classrooms for the institute, and the strengthening of the dyke
surrounding the campus. AIT does not agree with Thammasat University's
plan to construct a high concrete wall which is not community friendly
and is too expensive, he said.
“This batch of students will always be remembered forever,” said Dean
of the School of Engineering and Technology Dr. Nitin Afzulpurkar,
praising the forthcoming graduates for overcoming the worst period in
AIT’s history during the disaster. “I’m proud of you all and very
positive about the future at AIT.”
This feeling was echoed by School of Management Dean Dr. Barbara Igel
who added: “The AIT dream is still here. The biggest asset of AIT is
its people.” She encouraged everyone to stay positive and to
spread the word that AIT remains a high quality institute. The dean
also enjoined the alumni to renew their commitment to AIT and to
support their alma mater.
Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Dean of the School of Environment, Resources
and Development said he was happy that the planned lecture
hall complex, which is a centerpiece of the rebuilding effort that will
benefit students’ learning experiences, would be ready for August. Our
international organization status is unique and can and should assist
the country to be a real higher education hub, he added.
Addressing current, external challenges to AIT’s new status as an
international organization, and the recent cessation of all financial
support from the Royal Thai Government, President Irandoust was frank
in his remarks.
Looking back, he pinpointed AIT’s historical lack of core funding and
clear ownership as two defining weaknesses that set the tone for his
administration. These issues drove AIT’s administrative efforts to
renew its status as an international organization through the
development of the new AIT Charter, and the study of new funding models
to achieve financial sustainability.
The President reminded all that the over three-year-long process to
achieve a new Charter for AIT was conducted under the direct leadership
of AIT’s host country Thailand.
Also, the study of alternative funding models such as the initiative
to launch AIT satellite campuses in Asia and the investigation of
public-private partnerships, in particular a non-binding partnership
with Laureate International Universities, were all conducted with the
full knowledge and blessing of the Board of Trustees, he said.
To the students of AIT, President Irandoust had a clear message:
“Please do not let anyone divide you as your job is to study. We will
not tolerate anyone who attempts to stop the upcoming graduation.”
Later, he assured students that he possessed the full authority as AIT
President to confer the degrees on June 1, as co-signed by any one
member of the AIT Council.
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. IM Pandey concurred. In
spite of disaster, our academic processes are robust and will be
strengthened further, he said, as he elaborated on AIT’s bright
future.
“We are here to protect your interests – your academic interests are
totally protected, at any cost,” Prof. Pandey told the students.
President Irandoust concluded: “We have consulted lawyers and the law
is clear. There is no doubt that the AIT Council has the right to
award degrees. There is no issue of the legal right to award degrees
under the authority of the Council. There is no doubt.”
