The students come from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and South
America; with Thailand providing the largest cohort of students (103).
Myanmar with 59 and Nepal with 25 students, are the other major
countries of origin of the students.
Welcoming the students, Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT,
described the Institute as best of kind in “terms of contribution to
the development of the region.” Prof. Irandoust stated that all AIT
programs, courses and trainings are purposive and oriented towards
tackling issues and challenges. He welcomed the students who form the
first batch after AIT achieved its Intergovernmental status in January
2012. Quoting Alvin Toffler, the President stated that in the
twenty-first century, “illiterates are not persons who cannot read and
write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” He exhorted
the incoming students to take advantage of AIT’s wide range of
partners.
Dr. Louis Hornyak, Director, Center for Learning, Innovation and
Quality (CLIQ), who was the Master of Ceremony, assured students that
their lives at AIT will be the “best experience” of his life.
Prof. I.M.Pandey, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Nitin V.
Afzulpurkar, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Dr.
Barbara Igel, Dean, School of Management (SOM); Dr. Amararatne
Yakupitiyage (representing the Dean, School of Environment, Resources
and Development); and Mr. Rajeev Sinha, President, AIT Student Union
also addressed the students.
The students also attended sessions on code of conduct and ethical
behavior, academic requirements, student welfare, placement and
counseling, visa services and laptop subsidy.
Besides Thailand, Myanmar and Pakistan, other major countries of
origin of students include Pakistan (20), Bangladesh and Vietnam (12
each), France (11), Cambodia, India and People’s Republic of China (10
each).
Incoming students of the August 2012 batch
with the AIT President and senior officials in front of the AIT
Landmark.