Bangchak Petroleum president, Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, said the
corporate donation provided an opportunity for the firm to once again
be part of the development of Thailand’s educational
institutions.
“The Asian Institute of Technology has long dedicated itself as an
education and research institute, promoting progress through
technological development for over fifty years,” Mr. Chaiwat said, at a
handover ceremony. He emphasized that education is fundamentally
important for the sustainable development of Thai society.
Three million THB was earmarked for three scholarships in the fields of
energy and geotechnical engineering under the Bangchak Scholarship
Fund. Five million THB was donated to the AIT Library Modernization
Campaign. AIT’s main library, which was severely damaged in the flood
of 2011, is being modernized into an attractive hub for the
campus and a digital showcase for e-learning.
“Bangchak Petroleum recognizes the importance of education in the field
of energy as an issue of national concern, encompassing all sectors of
society and producing competent and knowledgeable personnel who
understand the complexities of energy production and management,”
President Chaiwat said.
Mr. Chaiwat is a notable member of AIT’s rising-star alumni who now
serve as CEO of public and private corporations in the Asian region. He
graduated in 1991 with a Master’s of Engineering degree in Industrial
Engineering and Management (IEM).
“I really feel at home here,” he said, explaining why he brought four
of his senior vice presidents, two of whom are AIT alumni, to
participate in the ceremony.
Welcomed to the campus by AIT President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, the CEO
was accompanied by:
- Senior Executive Vice President (Corporate Administration and
Information Technology) Mr. Yodphot Wongrukmit; - Senior Executive Vice President (Renewable Energy Business) Mr.
Bundit Sapianchai (AIT / IEM '88); - Senior Executive Vice President (Marketing Business) Mr. Pongchai
Chaichirawiwat (AIT / GTE '85); and, - Senior Executive Vice President (Corporate Communications and
Community Relations Office) Ms. Chavewan Kiatchkechaikul.
Jantawongsri (AIT / Energy '11) and Mr. Pornpat Samutchaikit (AIT / OTM
'99) – also attended, along with Mr. Noppachai Nutsati and Ms. Apiradee
Pravinvonvuth of the Human Resource Office.
Commenting of the significant impact of AIT alumni in Thailand, such as
the current Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Mr. Chaiwat indicated his
company now stands ready to build up AIT in terms of its infrastructure
and human capital, as AIT grads can continue to play a significant role
in Thailand’s development and the region at large.
The young president, who took the helm of Bangchak Petroleum on January
1, made an on-the-spot executive decision to increase the company’s
previously stated pledge of 2 Million THB for the library modernization
project to 5 Million THB. He cited the company’s best first-quarter
financial performance in its history under his leadership in 2015, and
a strong desire at the company to work closely with AIT, as
reasons.
All forms of renewable and sustainable energy, such as ocean
wave-generated, solar and geothermal are been pushed forward at the
company, and AIT can play a key partnership role in terms of research
and development and human capital development, he told President
Worsak, and Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul, representing the AIT Energy field
of study.
Bangchak is keen to extend the “frontiers of renewable energy,” he
said, adding that if things go well in the next few years during his
four-year term as president, the company would be interested to
financially support a “Bangchak School of Energy” at AIT.
