Asian Institute of
Technology Graduation Address by Mr. Goanpote Asvinvichit, 117th
Graduation Ceremony – 1 June 2012, Grand Hall, Thailand Science Park
Convention Center, National Science & Technology Development
Agency, Patthumthani, Thailand
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Excellencies and honored guests, members of the AIT Council, partners,
alumni, faculty, staff, our dear graduates and their family
members,
Good morning!
It gives me great pleasure
to be among members of the AIT community and to preside over the
Institute’s 117th Graduation Ceremony.
As graduates of this unique
and well-respected institution of higher learning, you are now in
position to contribute towards the development of the region through
human resources enhancement, research, and outreach in science,
technology, management and planning.
The class of 2012 deserves
special congratulations. Your accomplishments are even more impressive
in light of the devastating impact of last year’s floods on the AIT
campus. All the members of the AIT community deserve commendation for
their contributions to such a quick recovery, which showcases the
strength, harmony, and resilience of the Institute and its faculty,
staff and students.
AIT’s mission always has
been closely aligned to His Majesty the King of Thailand’s concept of
“Sufficiency Economy,” which calls for resilience and self-reliance as
a nation, as provinces, as communities and as households. It is deeply
gratifying to note that AIT has remained consistently committed to His
Majesty the King’s unceasing quest to harness the benefits of science
and technology in the pursuit of greater happiness and prosperity for
the people. It is to AIT’s credit that it has continuously sought
scientific yet practical solutions to development in the region through
the promotion of holistic education.
AIT has grown by leaps and
bounds over the almost 50 years of its evolution, from its humble
beginnings as the SEATO Graduate School of Engineering hosted by
Chulalongkorn University to a highly prestigious institution that
maintains academic excellence, an international perspective and more
importantly, an interdisciplinary focus on development and technology
in the service of the entire region.
I also wish to congratulate
AIT on attaining the status of an International Intergovernmental
Organization through its new Charter. This is well-deserved recognition
of AIT’s distinguished service to the region and beyond. AIT continues
to effectively fulfill its mission to advance human resources for
development purposes and I am confident that the cooperation between
AIT and the international community will continue and intensify in the
years ahead —even more so now under this new status.
The international nature of
AIT is something unique, of which Thailand and the region as a whole
can be proud. The Institute serves to nurture the future leaders of our
countries so that they can work harmoniously and cooperatively with
each other and with leaders of other nations. This, by itself, is such
a valuable function and you students of AIT will do well to further
peace, cooperation, understanding and harmony in the region and in the
world.
Wishing you all the best and
a life full of success for everyone.
Congratulations. Thank
you.