By Office of Public Affairs and Dr. Wenchao Xue
March 31st, 2022 — A Memorandum of Agreement between the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and China State Construction Engineering (Thailand) Co., Ltd (CSCECTH) was signed to establish collaborations in joint research and executive training program focusing on the “Thailand-China High-Speed Railway project” from 2022 to 2024.
CSCECTH is a subsidiary of CSCEC, one of the world’s largest engineering contractors, founded in China in 1982. The organization operates in more than 100 countries and regions in the world, covering investment and development (real estate, construction financing, and operation), construction engineering (housing and infrastructure), as well as survey and design (green construction, energy conservation, environmental protection, and e-commerce).
Under the mission of "expanding a happy living environment," CSCEC addresses its core values of "quality assurance and value creation" and incorporates "honesty, innovation, transcendence, and win-win strategy" to build a world-class enterprise with global competitiveness.
President Woon remarked, "AIT is very excited and honored to have this collaboration opportunity with CSCECTH." He highlighted the content of MoA collaboration is historical since it will be comprehensive in engineering, research, and, most importantly, lifelong learning standpoints for the future. "This is the beginning of an in-depth collaboration with Chinese enterprises," he added.
President Woon elaborated on lifelong learning and pointed out that AIT could assist CSCECTH in expanding their horizons and knowledge in many subject areas through AIT Extension. "You can obtain education in different ways (online, hybrid, etc.), which you can learn anywhere. AIT extension has the role of continually providing knowledge and education to individuals even though they are working full-time", President Woon explained how the center could offer professional training to CSCECTH.
Meanwhile, on the subject of construction, President Woon explained AIT is also excelling in Civil and Structural Engineering (ranked 151 – 200 by QS University World Rankings), at the same time high-speed railway is one of the areas Thailand is interested in, therefore this matter has portrayed many implications for the result of the collaboration.
CSCECTH Managing Director Mr. Wang Yinfei responded by praising the solid progress of cooperation between the two parties, emphasizing that CSCEC attached great importance to the investment in research and development of high technology, especially in public infrastructure and super high-rise buildings. "Today is just a starting point of our collaboration. I believe our future collaboration will be much more in-depth and diversified", CSCECTH Managing Director highlighted.
The CSCECTH Managing Director added CSCEC also sees the potential and importance of the development in Asia and acknowledges AIT to be one of the leaders in construction, technology, and Engineering. Mr. Wang concluded, "I believe AIT can support our development in Thailand."
The collaboration program in this MoA covers an executive training program, a joint research project, and a long-term coordination & collaboration scheme between the two parties. AIT Belt and Road Research Center will lead this initiative in association with AIT Extension and the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, AIT School of Engineering and Technology. Dr. Wenchao Xue, Director of AIT Belt and Road Center, said, "This MoA makes a great milestone for the Belt and Road Research Center, and we look forward to working more closely with our colleagues from AIT and CSCECTH soon."
Dr. Eden Woon, AIT President, and Mr. Yinfei Wang, Managing Director of CSCECTH signed the MoA. Dr. Wenchao Xue, Director of the AIT Belt & Road Research Center, and Mr. Chongming Liu, Deputy Managing Director of CSCECTH signed as witnesses. Members of delegations from CSCECTH included Managing Director, Mr. Wang Yinfei; Deputy Managing Director Mr. Liu Chongming; Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Xu Weitao; Project Manager HST4-3, Mr. Zhou Jiayi; Manager, Mr. Li Miao; and Deputy Manager, Mr. Zang Rui.
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More information on CSCEC: https://english.cscec.com/
AIT Belt and Road center aims to incorporate regional research resources and promote diversified cooperation under the framework of the Belt & Road Initiative. More info: Click Here
AIT Extension contributes to the development of the region through continuing professional education, short-course training, and consultancy services. We do this by working to develop highly qualified and committed professionals who play a leading role in the sustainable development of the region and its integration into the global economy. AIT Extension works across a broad range of sectors and disciplines.
More information on AIT Extension: https://extension.ait.ac.th/