CSC MoU Signing. Sitting: Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (left) and Dr. Liu Jinghui. Standing (from left): Prof. Voratas Kachitvitchayanukul, Mr. Cao Shihai, and Ms. Li Xin.
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has expanded its relationship with universities and research institutes with China with the signing of three agreements aimed at doctoral scholarships for Chinese students, faculty secondment from top universities in China, and offering professional programs for high speed railways.
Led by AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukuchai, AIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) each with the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and the China Scholarship Council (CSC); and renewed its agreement with Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU).
The agreement with BIT, which was signed on 6 May 2016 by Prof. Worsak
and Prof. Zhang Wei, BIT’s Chairman of the University Council, seeks to
facilitate student exchange, secondment of young faculty members from
BIT to AIT, and a combined International Summer Camp for undergraduate
students.
Chairman
Prof. Zhang Wei is an AIT alumnus having graduated with a Doctorate in
Management of Technology from AIT's School of Management in 2000. He
also holds an important position in the Communist Party.
Participating in the deliberations were Prof. Fang Daining, BIT Vice
President, Prof. Lan Ning, Dean of Mechanical Engineering, Prof.
Shuiyuan Tang, Director of International Affairs, Ms. Wang Ying,
Director of International Students, Dr. Lei Cong, Associate Director,
President’s Office and also AIT alumnus, Dr. Qi Chun, Associate
Professor and AIT alumna, Dr. Qingqing Xing, Associate Director of
International Affairs, and Yufeng Mao, Manager, Division of Int’l
Partnership Extension, Office of International Affairs.
The MoU with the China Scholarship Council, signed on 7 May 2016
between Prof. Worsak and Dr. Liu Jinghui, Secretary-General of CSC
provides for 10 annual doctoral scholarships for Chinese students to
study at AIT Chinese nationals who meet the AIT admission criterion can
be nominated, with the maximum duration of scholarships being four
years. Dr. Liu also encouraged AIT to explore more institutional
partners in China for dual or joint degree programs, and assured that
CSC can provide grants for Chinese faculty members to conduct joint
research supervision.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Cao Shihai, Deputy
Director-General, CSC, who is also a Member of AIT Board of Trustees.
Also present on the occasion were Ms. Li Xin, Mr. Yang Liu and Mr. Meng
Lijun — all from CSC's Division of Asian and African Affairs.
The agreement with BJIT while focusing on high speed railways envisages a joint program offered by the two institutes. BJIT has already initiated a program for 20 overseas students sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, while AIT is planning a Professional Master’s in emerging railway technologies. The two institutes agreed to work towards offering a dual
degree program, with the first year of studies at AIT concentrating on coursework, followed by a second year of advanced laboratory study and professional practice at BJTU.
The AIT team to China, which was led by President Worsak, also included Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Dr. Surachet Pravinvongvuth of AIT's Transportation Engineering; and Mr. Shawn Kelly, Ms. Wannapa Pliansri and Mr. Xinjiang Qi of External Relations and Communications Office
(ERCO).
Besides, AIT also accepted the invitation of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) to participate in China Study Aboard Forum 2016 (CSAF 2016) on 6 May 2016 at Landmark Convention Center in Beijing. Along with the Forum, AIT delegates availed themselves of an Exhibition Booth at the China International Education Exhibition Tour 2016 (CIEET 2016) to promote AIT as a top international institute in Asia for Chinese students, particularly for those who wish to pursue higher education outside of the Western Hemisphere.
More information about AIT's partner organizations is available at
these links:
Beijing Institute of Technology: http://english.bit.edu.cn/
China Scholarship Council: https://www.chinesescholarshipcouncil.com/
Beijing Jiaotong University: http://en.bjtu.edu.cn/