Accepting the support on behalf of the Institute, AIT President Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai briefed the alumni on AIT’s recent financial
challenges, its current financial situation as well as the AIT degree
issue. He thanked the AIT Alumni at KMUTT for their great generosity
and support for their alma mater.
On his visit to the KMUTT campus, President Worsak presented details
of the AIT Library Modernization project that will see the
flood-damaged facility become a central campus learning space and
interactive community center.
He explained that on the ground floor, the library will become an
inviting space where students can study together and experience cutting
edge digital connection, while the second floor will be a quieter space
for self-study and where e-books are accessible.
The ground floor of the library will become a modern marvel, for its
massive reading space, he said. Instead of stocking books, the ground
floor will made of open space, computers, multimedia stations, and a
large number of group study rooms. It will also house an alumni lounge,
exhibition area, and designated meeting rooms for alumni and visitors.
Any alumnus who makes a donation can have his or her name inscribed in
the Library, he said.
Faculty and students will be able to enjoy many of available resources
through large online repositories containing e-books, subscriptions to
online databases, online journals, and open-access publications.
A special multimedia lab will be planned for video production,
conferencing, web-casting and distance education. High priority will be
given to social areas and study spaces, all outfitted with digital
connection points that allow students to share, connect, and better
utilize library materials, he said.
Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp, who is a distinguished graduate of AIT and
was inducted into the AIT Hall Of Fame in 2010, expressed his agreement
with the AIT Library Modernization concept, saying it is similar to the
KMUTT library.
President Worsak also explained the soft fundraising campaign effort
to encourage support from alumni in various national chapters. So far,
donations have been made from AITAA (Myanmar Chapter) and AITAA
(Malaysia Chapter). He hopes that this cooperation will be the starting
point for other kinds of donations.
In the longer term, President Worsak said he expects to raise funds
for the AIT Endowment Fund in next two years when the institute’s
financial situation is stronger.
Dr. Tongchat invited the AIT librarian to visit KMUTT’s library to
study how it operates and to connect the two libraries. He also
suggested increased inter-institute networking and collaboration on the
recruitment of students for both institutes.
Currently, there are approximately 50 AIT alumni working as the
faculty members at KMUTT located in suburban Bangkok. Alumni who
attended the donation hand over presentation ceremony included ; Assoc.
Prof. Dr. Suvit Tia, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof.
Dr. Chai Jaturapitakkul of the KMUTT Engineering Faculty; Assoc.
Prof. Somchai Chanchoana, Adisor to the President and Vice President
for KMUTT Ratchaburi; Asst. Prof. Dr. Tippawan Pinvanichkul, Vice
President for Property and Finance; Assoc. Prof. Anek Siripanichgorn,
Faculty of Engineering; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Kitidech Santichaianant,
Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology.
