RE: Important Agenda and Changing the BOT Meeting Venue
Dear all,
I have never so far commented on the many emails we received daily on
the subject. What has been happening for unknown, unclear and
irrational reasons for the past few months is an amazing example of
weak governance and absence of rule of law. This reflects very badly on
our host country, Thailand. How can a former student without a popular
mandate decide if degrees can be awarded by his alma mater? This is
amazing and unheard off anywhere in the world. And of course it is
making huge damage to the unique institution that is AIT. Whatever the
difficulties AIT is facing today, it is a unique institution in Asia.
No other institution has the history, depth and reach AIT has in Asia
and the world (and I am not an alumnus).
For Thailand as host country, this is an immense intellectual asset (I
hope Thai alumni will not argue on that) apart from the fact that it
generates large revenues for the country. Many countries in ASEAN
without naming them have aggressive policies to attract higher
knowledge institutions as the future in ASEAN will be to become
"knowledge economies". Besides its national higher education
institutions, Thailand has that unique asset, AIT which is the only
real international institution in the country. Yes, it needs
maintenance and upgrading to remain at the top as AIT cannot be second
to any other place. It is a place where the whole of Asia comes
together, where bonds between countries are formed, a place so many
people in Asia associate of course with Thailand.
Ownership does not matter but AIT will always remain a "public"
institution for as long as it exists. Some functions can be contracted
out but that is common in most (efficient) governments these days and
in the private sector. AIT already had a special status under Thai law.
Now as an intergovernmental organization, its growth potential can be
enormous and it will always be Thai as Thailand is the host country. In
today's competitive world and as AEC progresses, I can see many ASEAN
countries which could bid for locating AIT.
The budgets are really small and public sector support could keep it
as only a research and postgraduate institution. The amounts are small,
look at the budget. It is as simple as that. As host country, Thailand
would benefit enormously not only because of location but also because
its academics can be exposed to new ideas (and competition) at home.
AIT is a knowledge brand unmatched in Asia. People in business and
ASEAN governments understand.
I served AIT as vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Executive
Committee for several years without any payment, (and I can tell you
this was a lot of work). I did it with my very capable colleagues as we
all believed in the institution and its potential (I know it since the
1980 when I came to Thailand), and I thought this is a unique asset
Thailand has and should preserve, and grow. This remains my conviction.
I do not want to conclude or point fingers. The question is: do we
want to keep AIT alive or destroy it? Do we want to grow and make it a
jewel in Thailand's education strategy and development? Not my or our
decision? But can one person or small group of persons have their way
to bringing AIT to its demise? Very sad indeed, but it will happen as
there are few degrees of freedom left.
This is my first and last message on the subject but I am ready to
discuss. Just contact secretary to the Board.
Thank you and best regards,
JP Verbiest
May 22, 2012