Mr. Chen, an alumnus of 1972, who is the Division Convenor,
Sustainable Development Division, National Policy Foundation, Taiwan,
is undertaking a transportation survey and urban development in various
Asian cities. The study, while gathering information on Asian urban
transportation development, will also prepare an information database
and a comparative analysis. “I wish to share all this work throughout
Asia, which is in tune with AIT’s mission,” he remarked during his
visit to his alma mater.
Welcoming the distinguished alumnus, AIT President, Prof. Said
Irandoust described Mr. Chen as an “inspiration” for everyone. Prof.
Irandoust elaborated on recent developments in AIT. He referred to lack
of ownership and core funding as major issues that AIT had faced. The
Charter, which is now in place, and the Public Private Partnership
model is targeted to solve these problems, the President said.
The President mentioned that AIT has been established as an
Intergovernmental Organization according to the law of International
treaties. He regretted that the campaign by a section of the Thailand
chapter of the AIT Alumni Association has led to budget freeze by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Thailand.
Mr. Chen remarked that he felt “very sad” at the developments and that
he “fully understood the situation.” AIT was a trendsetter when it was
created, and it was aimed at training people who could solve the
problems of their respective countries, Mr. Chen remarked. He suggested
that the AIT President reach out to the alumni and explain the
situation, adding that he was very sure that AIT alumni would not only
understand but also come up with solutions, he said. Mr. Chen stated
that AIT still needs government support, and that it should seek
support from Asian countries.
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development,
AIT appreciated the project initiated by Mr. Chen, and stated that his
team could use AIT to study this region.
Mr. Chen was accompanied by Mr. Hwang Feng-jian, Senior Assistant
Research Fellow, who suggested that AIT could host a regional
conference to discuss the issue of floods. This will help promote AIT,
and engage many experts from the region, he added. Prof. Wucheng Chen,
Dean of Academic Affairs, Kainan University, Taiwan, also accompanied
the delegation.
Dr. Tien Le Hoang, Head, Alumni Affairs Office; and Mr. Sanjeev
Jayasinghe, Director, Fundraising, also attended the meeting. Later the
delegation also met with Dr. Kunnawee Kanitpong, of AIT’s School of
Engineering and Technology (SET). They also interacted with AIT
students and faculty to discuss their project.
From left to right: Dr. Tien Le
Hoang, Prof. Wucheng Chen, Mr. Hwang Feng-jian, Prof.
Said Irandoust, Mr. George S.Y. Chen, Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai, and Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe.