Visiting AIT on 10 May 2012, the Governor stated that AIT could use
Nakornnayok as a model for research applications for the benefit of the
people. Nakornnayok can be an AIT base for transferring technology;
establishing a department of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT); creating a center; or using the province as a practical
laboratory for experiments, the Governor suggested. He identified
agriculture and food quality, aquaculture, ICT, disaster management,
and clean energy as key areas of interest. ‘We will concentrate on
innovation and improving the quality of life of people,” Dr. Surachai
said.
Dr. Surachai remarked that the province had already developed 32
practical systems which will be rolled out for the people of
Nakornnayok. The province has been selected as a model smart province
for Thailand, and this can provide an opportunity to AIT students to
enhance their knowledge and contribute towards development. The success
of Nakornnayok will be replicated in entire Thailand, and would act as
a trigger in entire ASEAN region. “We will create knowledge workers and
our smart province envisions a direct link with the global market,” the
Governor said. Accompanying Dr. Surachai was AIT alumna, Ms.Rassarin
Chinnachodteeranun (2007,Master's in Science in Information
Management), and a host of officials who are working closely with the
“smart province” project.
Welcoming the delegation, the AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust
described the Governor’s vision as “inspiring.” The AIT President
remarked that AIT has been contributing towards the development of its
host country Thailand, and would continue to do so. The AIT President
stated that food engineering and safety, aquaculture and fishery, ICT
for development, and leadership development programs are areas where
AIT can contribute. Prof. Irandoust remarked that AIT has established a
number of project offices ranging from Shanghai to Kathmandu, and the
offer from Nakornnayok was a welcome step. The AIT President suggested
that a task force will be established between the two to create a
concrete proposal, which would be communicated to Ms. Wannapa Pliansri,
Coordinator, Royal Thai Government, External Relations and
Communications Office (ERCO).
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development,
AIT, stated that Nakornnayok can act as a “real life laboratory” where
AIT could base a research center. Prof. Kiyoshi Honda of Chubu
University, Japan, who has been working with his students in
Nakornnayok province, remarked that the combination of ICT, agriculture
and remote sensing technologies is a good combination. Prof. Honda
suggested that the establishment of a disaster monitoring station at
Nakornnayok, which could include water level monitoring, sensor network
and satellite data from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The
AIT President suggested that AIT could work with Chubu University in
Nakornnayok province.
Also attending the meeting were Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Dean, School
of Environment, Resources and Development; Dr. Masahiko Nagai,
Associate Director, Geoinformatics Center, and Mr. Olivier Drean,
Interim-Head, ERCO.
