AIT welcomes Jan. 2007 intake
About 133 students are expected to enroll in the January 2007 intake. So far, almost 100 students participated in the orientation held on 8 January 2007, with 29 joining the School of Engineering and Technology, 41 joining the School of Environment, Resources and Development and 21 joining the School of Management. Most students have already arrived on campus and more students are expected to arrive over the week.
In his welcome speech at orientation, AIT President Said Irandoust (above) said he believes the best education gives students more than knowledge and technical skills – it deepens and broadens their understanding about themselves and others. AIT's multicultural and international environment provides that unique experience and enormous advantage to AIT students. One of the many valuable outcomes of the AIT experience is the creation of friendships with students from all over the world – connections that will last for a lifetime. Therefore, he encouraged AIT students to seize opportunities to forge meaningful networks.
'AIT is of course a rigorous school. Our students study hard and work hard, and, as a result, they excel, they achieve, and they accomplish. The fact that you have been accepted to attend AIT means that you are able to succeed here. And, we are committed to doing everything in our power to support you in your life and during your stay at AIT,' Prof. Irandoust said.
He added that one fundamental base for AIT is the institute's emphasis on diversity. AIT works to assure that students from a wide variety of backgrounds, of intellectual and social interests, of cultures, and nations all, feel comfortable at AIT.
Prof. Peter Haddawy, vice president for academic affairs, said in his welcome speech that it was wonderful to look out and see many students from many different countries to join the international community at AIT.
'We have this year students from nearby countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and of course Thailand. And also students from countries much further away including Congo, Cameroon, Morocco, Israel, Finland, Switzerland and Germany,' he said.
Prof. Haddawy noted that welcoming new students to AIT, for him, is a great time of anticipation of endless possibilities as students embark on their studies at AIT. 'As the American poet, Eugene F. Ware said 'All glory comes from daring to begin.' And at this beginning the question you must ask yourselves then is, what will you do with the time between today and the day you step up to receive your diploma from the president,' he said.