AITAA executive committee members also visited the AIT campus to
obtain a firsthand experience of the AIT infrastructure and followed it
with an internal meeting of its Executive Committee. The delegation
visited the AIT Schools and other buildings before meeting the AIT
President and other senior officials of the Institute.
Committee has visited the Institute. “We are here to take a close look
at AIT facilities and ascertain how to help the Institute,” Mr. Ekabut
told the AIT President. Since alumni in Thailand can avail of certain
tax benefits, the AITAA will convince them to take the lead in helping
AIT. However support from alumni may not be enough and the Institute
has to look at multiple ways of generating revenue, he added.
Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT, while appreciating the
initiative elaborated on the various efforts made by the Institute to
increase its resource base. He stated that AIT is making a concerted
effort to tap into resources, particularly from donor countries. He
highlighted the changing landscape of higher education and its possible
consequences on institutes like AIT.
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President of Resource Development,
stated that the AITAA may consider academic and residential facilities
as two separate entities for the purpose of upgrading. The residential
premises can invite participation from wealthy alumni, who can possibly
create a real estate management company. This venture may be considered
a business venture, rather than a charitable cause.
Dr. Ricardo P. Pama, former AIT Vice President for Academic Affairs
suggested that AIT alumni could prepare a detailed estimate of the
resources required to upgrade AIT facilities. They could also suggest a
maintenance plan for the entire campus.
The AITAA delegation included Dr. Pornsak Suppataratarn, Managing
Director of Asdecon and Executive Secretary of AITAA; Mr. Anont
Bukkanasuta, Manager of Corporate Services Division, SCG PLC; Ms.
Wandee Kamolpanus, Marketing Planning Manager of Siam Kraft Industry;
and Mr. Kanishka Ghosh, Supply Chain Assistant Manager, SCG Paper PLC.
The AITAA delegation later hosted a dinner for the AIT Student Union
and senior AIT officials, he added.
Others who attended the AITAA meeting included Prof. Joydeep Dutta,
Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Barbara Igel, Dean, School of
Management (SOM); Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for
Resource Development; Ms. Izel Ann Mojado-Dante, Head, Administration;
Mr. Karma Rana, Institute Secretary; Dr. Tien Le Hoang, Associate Head
for Administration and Alumni Affairs Office in-charge.; Dr. Sun
Sayamipuk, Head, Contract Management Office (CMO); and Ms. Elenita C.
Ortinero, Program Officer, AITAA Office.
AIT Alumni Association visiting AIT
facilities.