H.E. Swati stated that Pakistan is looking forward towards an enhanced
partnership with AIT, particularly in offering dual degree courses. The
Minister welcomed the proposal of Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT,
to establish an AIT satellite campus in Pakistan. He proposed students’
and faculty exchange between AIT and COMSATS Institute of Information
Technology. The Minister sought AIT’s expertise in helping Pakistan
commercialize research and development activities. He revealed that
Pakistan is establishing an Institute of Water Quality and Management
with assistance from South Korea. The Minister also appreciated AIT’s
gesture of inducting Dr. Shamsudin M. Qureshi, an AIT alumnus and
former Chairman of Pakistan’s University Grants Commission (UGC), to
AIT’s Hall of Fame.
Prof. Irandoust elaborated on the initiatives of AIT, including the
new AIT Charter and a new funding model. He mentioned the establishment
of “AIT Consulting” as a venture which will enhance the application of
knowledge of science and technology for development. The AIT President
added that the Institute shall be conferring an honorary doctorate
degree to the former chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof Dr
Atta-ur-Rahman.
Later the minister addressed members of the Pakistan Students
Association (PSA), where he exhorted students towards achieving
excellence. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Sohail Mahmood
stated that the AIT hosts the largest contingent of Pakistani students
(107) in any one institute outside of Pakistan. He complimented the
role played by Dr. Naveed Anwar, Executive Director, AIT Consulting in
acting as a mentor to AIT students.
The delegation from Pakistan also included Mr. Wajid Ali Shah,
Director, Ali Shah Impex Company Ltd. Apart from the AIT President, the
institute was represented by Prof. Joydeep Dutta, Vice President for
Academic Affairs; Dr. Barbara Igel, Dean, School of Management (SOM);
Mr. Olivier Drean, Coordinator, French Cooperation, and Advisor to
Administration; Dr. Naveed Anwar; Dr. Rajendra Prasad Shrestha of
School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD); Md. Zakir
Hossain, Head, Agriculture, Resources and Environment, AIT Extension;
and Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Senior Program Officer, External Relations and
Communications Office (ERCO).
H.E. Mr. Muhammad Azam Khan Swati
addressing members of Pakistan Students Association (PSA) at the Asian
Institute of Technology.