Heading a team of 10 senior officials of MRDC, Rear Admiral Sahapong
sought to tap into AIT’s research-based programs. “We wish to send our
senior officials on a project-based doctoral program, and AIT could be
a good place to conduct research,” he remarked.
AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, welcomed the proposal,
stating that AIT has always concentrated on research that is relevant
to the needs of the region. Prof. Worsak mentioned that how AIT’s
expertise in nanotechnology, energy, and computer sciences could be
tapped by MRDC.
Ambassador Pradap Pibulsonggram, Member, Board of Director, TEAM, also
participated in the AIT-MRDC deliberations.
Introducing MRDC, Rear Admiral Sahapong stated that it was established
in 1961 by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Since
2007, it is attached to the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Royal Thai
Government. MRDC conducts Research and Development (R&D) for
Thailand’s defence, and acts as a Science and Technology consultant on
defence matters.
Prof. Louis Gabor Hornyak, Director, Center of Excellence in
Nanotechnology (CoEN), AIT, introduced the delegation to the
educational and research offerings in Nanotechnology. He stated that
AIT’s expertise is being tapped by the New Delhi police on non-clonable
identities. The MRDC delegation later visited the AIT Nanotechnology
laboratory to acquaint themselves of the available facilities.
Besides Rear Admiral Sahapong, the MRDC delegation also included Col.
Chulert Jiraratanamethakorn, Deputy General Director; Col. Athaseth
Nivatananta. Director, Planning and Projects Division; Col. Surat
Pratchayakul, Director, Research and Military Equipment Technology and
Development; Col. Apichart Wongwatana, Special Researcher,
Communications and Electronics Research and Development Division; Col.
Kwanchai Meesa-ard, Assistant to Director, Communications and
Electronics Research and Development Division; Capt. Noppadol
Puthisarn, Deputy Director, Research and Military Equipment Technology
and Development; Wing Cdr. Eksiam Saothonglang, Section Chief, Plan and
Project Section, Planning and Projects Division; Lt. Col. Santana
Burintramas, Section Chief, Research and Electronics Research
Development Section, Communications and Electronics Research and
Development Division; Second Lt. Saneh Madmunjai, Aide-de-Camp to Rear
Admiral Sahapong Kreupetch.
AIT was represented by Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, AIT President;
Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof.
Voratas Kachitvichyanukul, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology
(SET); Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Executive Director, AIT Extension; Dr. Naveed
Anwar, Executive Director, AIT Consulting; Prof. Louis Hornyak,
Director, CoEN; Dr. Matthew N Dailey of SET; Dr. Gabrielle Groves,
Head, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO); and Ms.
Wannapa Pliansri, Coordinator, Royal Thai Government Relations.
