Vietnam took the major share of the 122nd graduating batch with 88
graduates followed by Thailand with 47. Indonesia and Nepal with nine
graduates, and Myanmar with eight were the other three top countries.
The graduating batch included students from Asia, Africa, Europe and
North America.
AIT’s President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai stated that since 1959,
AIT has been promoting technological change and sustainable development
through higher education, cutting-edge research, and outreach
activities. Prof. Worsak remarked that AIT graduates are fully prepared
to take on global challenges and emerge as Asia’s next generation of
leaders. Describing AIT as a “global village for future leaders”, Prof.
Worsak said that the new graduating batch joins their illustrious
alumni to weave more success stories.
Delivering the graduation message, Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma, Assistant
Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific,
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), delved on the emerging global
food scenario stating that the world is facing serious food security
challenges. The global population is expected to increase to over nine
billion by 2050, and this is happening along with an increase in per
capita food consumption. These two factors, coupled with restricted
availbaility of arable land can lead to a serious situation of price
volatility and uncertainties. It is to tackle such challenges that AIT
can produce “future leaders of our global society’” Mr, Konuma
added
The outstanding alumnus message was delivered by Mr. Ananda Dias,
Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific Environment Assessment
and Early-Warning, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Mr.
Dias, who graduated from AIT with a Master’s in Science in 1983 in
Computer Sciences, recalled the excitement and anxiety that accompanies
every graduation. Mr. Dias, who also worked in the Institute for eight
years, traversed the journey on how the Institute and its facilities
had evolved over the years.
The 122nd Graduation also saw the installation of Prof. Pennung
Warnitchai of School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and Prof.
Sununta Siengthai of School of Management (SOM) as Professors.
Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs, AIT
conducted the proceedings of the graduation. Dr. Rajendra Shrestha,
Academic Senate Chair presented the candidates before the AIT President
for award of degrees. The three Deans, Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul
(School of Engineering and Technology), Prof. Chettiyappan Visvanathan
(School of Environment, Resources and Development), and Dr. Donyapreuth
Krairit (School of Management) presented the graudands from their
respective schools.
Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees, Dr. Subin Pinkayan; and H.E. Dr.
Sohail Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand and Vice Chairman of
the Board of Trustees graced the occasion.
H.E. Mr. Chukwudi N Okafor, Ambassador of Federal Republic of Nigeria;
H.E. Mrs. Eat Sophea, Ambassador of Cambodia; Mr. Edgar B Badajos,
Minister and Consul General, Embassy of the Philippines; Mr. Azizur
Rahman, Counsellor, Embassy of Bangladesh; Mrs. Annette Severy,
Counsellor, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany; Mr. Onga Hajime,
First Secretary, Embassy of Japan; Mr. Paulino Henrique Ribeiro,
Attache of Education, Embassy of Timor Leste; and Dr. Yunardi,
Education and Cultural Attaché , Embassy of Indonesia; were among
the members of the diplomatic corps who attended the Graduation.
Mr. Soonchai Kumnoonsate, Governor, Electricity Generating Authority
of Thailand; Dr. Chainorong N Lamphun, President and CEO, Index
International Group; Mr. Susheel Kumar Saraff, President, Indo-Thai
Chamber of Commerce; Mr. David Bak, Vice President, Korean Thai Chamber
of Commerce; Dr. Jacques Berger, IRD Representative in Thailand and
India; Dr. Duminda Jayaranjan, Alumni Development Officer, AITAA
Executive Committee and Director, SPS Global Corp; Dr. Ranjna Jindal,
Public Relation Officer, AITAA Executive Committee, and Program
Director, Mahidol University; and Dr. Pramod Shrestha, Coordinator,
Nepal Education Consortium of Colleges were the other guests and
dignitaries who attended the event.
FAO PRESS RELEASE: A press release issued by FAO can
be read at this link:
http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/rap/home/news/detail/en/?news_uid=272973
GRADUATION SPEECHES:
https://oldweb.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2014/news/graduation-messages-professorial-remarks-and-speeches-at-aits-122nd-graduation/view#.VJJ-TNKUeSo
PHOTO GALLERIES:
Three photo albums from the 122nd Graduation are available at these
links:
Facebook:
Album I:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152932006019709.1073742023.102952369708&type=1
Album II:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152932042964709.1073742024.102952369708&type=1
Album III:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152932072179709.1073742025.102952369708&type=1
Google+
Album I:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113705895909660110340/albums/6093749300532419057
Album II:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113705895909660110340/albums/6093759873298555777
Album III:
https://plus.google.com/photos/113705895909660110340/albums/6093761496378411729
