This was stated by H. E. Dr. Hanns Schumacher, Ambassador of Germany to
Thailand during his visit to AIT. The Ambassador suggested that
AIT engage itself in establishing in the ASEAN-German University or the
Asian-German University, which could be similar to the Vietnam German University
that was established in 2008 at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Earlier AIT President Said Irandoust briefed Ambassador Schumacher on
various initiatives, like AIT being designated by the United Nations as
the permanent site of the world’s first Regional Centre of Excellence
on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The establishment of Yunus
Center at AIT and Asian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility at
AIT (ACCSR) were cited by the President as initiatives which were
helping in the development efforts of ASEAN and other Asian and African
countries.
The Ambassador was particularly interested in AIT’s involvement in
capacity building in Afghanistan and advised AIT to get in touch with
the German Embassy in Afghanistan to explore possible partnerships. AIT
involvement with various African countries, namely South Africa,
Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda in the areas of capacity building and
higher learning in science and technology for development was also
discussed.
H.E Dr. Schumacher also expressed satisfaction at the current
Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) scholarships for students from
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam countries at AIT.
The President informed the Ambassador of his plan visit to Germany,
Austria and Switzerland in the month of April to introduce the New AIT
Charter and to extend invitations to the respective governments.
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development
(VP-RD); Prof. Sudip K. Rakshit, Vice-President for Research (VP-R);
Dr. Barbara Igel, Dean, School of Management (SOM); Dr. Jonathan Shaw,
Director, AIT Extension; Dr. Rian Beise-Zee, Assistant Professor, SOM;
Dr. Pritam K. Shrestha, Head-External Relations and Communication
Office (ERCO); Ms. Leena Wokeck, Director, Corporate Social
Responsibility Asia Center at AIT; and Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Program
Officer, ERCO were present in the meeting.
Sitting around the table from left
to right are Ms. Leena Wokeck, Dr. Rian Beise-Zee, Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai, H. E. Dr. Hanns Schumacher, Prof. Said Irandoust, Dr.
Pritam K. Shrestha, and Dr. Jonathan Shaw.