Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha (left) with Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai.
registration fees valued at THB 752,000. The bursaries are earmarked
for Master’s degree candidates in the field of Water Engineering and
Management at AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology.AIT doctoral degree alumnus Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha (IE&M '86),
Managing Director, Thai Pipe Industry Co. Ltd., on 16 December 2014
handed over a cheque on behalf of his company at a ceremony attended by
senior AIT officials. Dr. Yanyong was accompanied by his wife Mrs.
Gantasiri Phataralaoha, herself an AIT alumna (ENVI '84), and their
daughters Ms. Wintica Phataralaoha and Ms. Kesryn Phataralaoha.Accepting the generous gift, President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
offered his sincere thanks to the prominent alumnus and his firm for
the valuable support of the institute and students in the region.
Adding a vote of thanks, AIT Vice President for Resource Development,
Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, said AIT aims to increase its engagement with
industry, and the donation was a “wonderful start”.
Established in 1963, Thai Pipe Industry Co. Ltd, has been Thailand’s
major producer of PVC pipes and fittings. The firm operates two main
factories in Bangkok and four production facilities in northern,
southern, eastern and northeastern regions of the country.
“Besides providng high quality products for domestic and international
markets, our core values involve making contributions for the greater
good of society,” Dr. Yanyong said. “We believe that education is
undoubtedly one of the most crucial foundations that helps improve the
lives of others.”
The managing director explained that for over fifty years the firm has
made donations to numerous schools and educational institutions in
Thailand. As the country becomes part of the AEC in 2015, Thai Pipe
also plans to provide financial support to students from other ASEAN
countries, he informed.
“With AIT’s rigorous science and technology programs, and notable
faculty, we strongly believe that Thai Pipe scholars will receive the
best education. Thus, after finishing the program they can contribute
to the betterment of the region,” he said.
Dr. Yanyong, who took the helm of the family business founded by his
father after a highly successful career in the military, and steered
its successful growth in recent decades, also provided a personal
reason for the donation. ”I am indebted to AIT, and it’s time to give
back.”
Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul, Dean, School of Engineering and
Technology (SET); Prof. Chettiyappan Visvanathan, Dean, School of
Environment, Resources and Development (SERD); Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe,
Director, Fundraising; and Mr. Lucena Dante Talaid, Program Officer,
External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO), also attended the
event.
