Highlighting its special linkages to South-East, South and East Asia,
and its engagement with emerging, developing countries across the
continent, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is marking 53 years
of operation in Thailand on 7-8 September 2012.
Thailand’s sole international intergovernmental organization of higher
learning opened its doors to the public on 7 September 2012 with a
festive display of internationality that highlighted its storied past
accomplishments and future ambitions.
Members of the Bangkok diplomatic corps and special dignitaries, as
well as AIT alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends attended the
celebrations.
H.E. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossain representing the AIT Council addressed
the large gathering and expressed his heartfelt felicitations and
congratulations on AIT’s 53rd Anniversary. He commended the Institute
on its spirit of international solidarity and its resiliency in
overcoming the tremendous flood disaster of last year, as he spoke of
the bright future ahead for AIT.
In his remarks, AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust spoke with pride of
how the event exemplified AIT’s special internationality and marked the
Institute’s rich contributions to the region. AIT is distinguished from
others because of its unique international environment and its
purposive approach to higher education that contributes to the
betterment of the Asian region and beyond, he said.
AIT’s academics and research are keeping pace with the changing
landscape of higher learning and changing job markets, he said. “I am
proud that our faculty, staff and students have overcome our biggest
challenge ever,” he said, referring the flood disaster of 2011-2012, as
he promised the large crowd that by the end of the year the campus
would be better than before the flood.
“This day is dedicated to you all,” President Irandoust told the AIT
Community, partners and friends gathered.
Also joining the festivities was a large contingent of international
undergraduates from Pakistan, Nepal and China who represented five Thai
national universities. The students of Phranakhon Rajabhat University,
SI Ayutthaya Rajabhat University, Rangsit University, University of the
Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Mahidol University mingled with AIT
students and explored the campus, in particular research
exhibits and demonstrations presented by the School of Engineering
and Technology and the the School of Environmnent, Resources and
Development in the main Auditorium. A special lecture in the
morning, as part of SERD's homecoming, attracted a packed house at
the Milton Bender Auditorium..
All delighted in an elaborate international food festival and were
enthralled by a multicultural show organized by 15 national chapters of
AIT’s Student Union to mark AIT Day 2012.
Digniatories who attended the function included H.E. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz
Hossain, Ambassador, The Embassy of the People's Republic of
Bangladesh; Mr. Ata-ul-Munir Shahid, Charge d’Affaires, The Embassy of
the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Ms. Suvdaa Badarch, Charge
d’Affaires, The Embassy of Mongolia; Mr. Babatunde Olanrewajv Ajisomo,
Deputy Head of Mission, The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
Dr. Yunardi, Attache (Education and Culture), The Embassy of the
Republic of Indonesia; Mr. Mehdi Kamyabipour, First Secretary, The
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Mr. Somchit Paseutsak, First
Secretary (Education), The Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic
Republic; Ms. Jabulisile Msibi, Second Secretary (Political), The
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa; Ms. Zin Mar Htwe, Second
Secretary, The Embassy of the Union of Myanmar; Ms. Princess
Tomas-Tayao, Third Secretary, The Embassy of the Republic of the
Philippines; Dr. Jaideep Nair, Counsellor, The Embassy of the Republic
of India; and Mr. Vu Quoc Cinh, Counsellor, The Embassy of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Other important guests included Mr. S. Roy,
Founder & CEO, Tim International Management Enterprises Co, Ltd.;
Dr. Handoko, Deputy Director for Programme & Development, SEAMEO
Secretariat; Prof Fred J. Miller, Assistant President, Siam University;
Rear Admiral Prasart Sribhadung, Part Time Lecturer, Graduate School of
e-Learning, Assumption University; Dr. Kampol Ruchiwit, Vice Rector for
Admnistration Rangsit Center, Thammasat University; Ms. Amelie Piroux,
Charge de mission, IRD (Institute for Research and Development); Mr.
Henri Robain of IRD and Dr. Philippe Girard, Representative,
CIRAD.
Photo albums from the event are available at these links:
Album I - (
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Album II - (
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Album III - (
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