The Acting Mission Director of the
Regional Development Mission for Asia, USAID, Bangkok, quoted the
motivational words of American President John F. Kennedy spoken in
1961, as she called on the Institute’s latest batch of graduates to put
development agencies such as hers “out of business” with their
considerable skills.
Regional Development Mission for Asia, USAID, Bangkok, quoted the
motivational words of American President John F. Kennedy spoken in
1961, as she called on the Institute’s latest batch of graduates to put
development agencies such as hers “out of business” with their
considerable skills.
Recounting some inspirational
examples of young visionaries from India and America who had combined
their technical prowess with entrepreneurial drive to solve serious
developmental issues, she challenged AIT’s newest batch of scientists,
managers, and engineers to do the same.
examples of young visionaries from India and America who had combined
their technical prowess with entrepreneurial drive to solve serious
developmental issues, she challenged AIT’s newest batch of scientists,
managers, and engineers to do the same.
“Don’t let the title of your degree
dictate your future career,” she cautioned, saying that more than ever
the world needs scientists and engineers to solve the challenging
issues of our time, such as food and water scarcity, health pandemics
and, most critically, global climate change.
dictate your future career,” she cautioned, saying that more than ever
the world needs scientists and engineers to solve the challenging
issues of our time, such as food and water scarcity, health pandemics
and, most critically, global climate change.
“The Green Revolution of the 1960s is
an example of the profound shifts that are possible,” she reminded the
highly international crowd gathered at AIT’s central auditorium. “Try
to connect the dots to complex issues,” she advised, “and remember the
power of science and technology to improve situations.”
an example of the profound shifts that are possible,” she reminded the
highly international crowd gathered at AIT’s central auditorium. “Try
to connect the dots to complex issues,” she advised, “and remember the
power of science and technology to improve situations.”
Agencies such as hers, she explained,
employ all manner of professionals from a wide-cross-section of
academic trainings and skills. All work across disciplines in the
realms of policy, politics, and business to find solutions to people’s
problems, she stressed.
employ all manner of professionals from a wide-cross-section of
academic trainings and skills. All work across disciplines in the
realms of policy, politics, and business to find solutions to people’s
problems, she stressed.
Gazing out at he highly international
group of 271 who made up the 118th AIT Graduation Class, Ms. Thompson
expressed her optimism for the future. “Always question entrenched
ideas – and approach problem-solving with scientific vigor.”
group of 271 who made up the 118th AIT Graduation Class, Ms. Thompson
expressed her optimism for the future. “Always question entrenched
ideas – and approach problem-solving with scientific vigor.”
