AIT and KIST sign dual degree program agreement and hold international cooperation symposium
AIT signed a dual degree program agreement with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) on 31 January. The development of a dual degree program, at the Master and Doctoral levels, was agreed upon by AIT and KIST at the first AIT-KIST International Symposium held in KIST on 6 July 2001.
Organized in conjunction with the agreement signing was the AIT-KIST International Cooperation Symposium on research activities being carried out by the two institutions in the fields of environmental engineering, life sciences, systems engineering and material science. The symposium was held on January 31- Feburary 1 at the AIT Conference Center.
H.E. Dr. Kim Kook-Chin, center, Korean Ambassador to Thailand and an AIT Trustee, presided over the twin events. In a handshake following the signing of the AIT-KIST dual degree program are Dr. Hokoon Park, KIST President, and Prof. Jean-Louis Armand, AIT President.
SPEAKING AT THE SYMPOSIUM
Addresses at the AIT-KIST International Cooperation Symposium were delivered by H.E. Dr. Kim Kook-Chin (above), Korean Ambassador to Thailand and AIT Trustee; AIT President, Prof. Jean-Louis Armand; and Dr. Ho-koon Park, KIST President.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Jean-Louis Armand, AIT President, said that attuned to the objectives of the AIT-KIST agreement, 'the primary objectives of this second symposium are to lay the foundations for identifying potential areas for joint research collaborations between KIST and AIT, and to further develop student and faculty exchange programs and establish long-term commitment between our two institutes through the development of dual degree programs and by exploring the potential for collaboration with other universities in Thailand, the region and in Europe.'
He noted that the forging of the AIT-Korea alliance has been further strengthened by the commitment and generosity of AIT's past and present Korean faculty members. 'With commendable foresight, they have established the Arirang Fund at AIT, which is intended to support students from North Korea. AIT is seen as a model of internationality and noble initiatives such as this are truly encouraging.'
In his opening remarks, KIST President, Dr. Ho-Koon Park, said, 'Today we are living in a knowledge-based global community where science and technology are the main driving forces behind a nation's economic growth and its international competitiveness. Cognizant of the importance of human resources development in this knowledge-oriented setup, both AIT and KIST are firmly committed to their share of responsibility to develop a better and more efficient educational system in securing more highly competitive scientific researchers and engineers.
Joining Dr. Park at the symposium were some of KIST's most outstanding researchers and scientists. 'In this symposium I expect them and their counterparts at AIT to explore common avenues of research and study where prospective scholars can make the best of their research results in their respective fields. He expressed confidence that the AIT-KIST symposium will serve as a stepping stone towards the further development of joint research and student and faculty exchange programs between AIT and KIST.
Congratulating AIT and KIST on their partnership, H.E. Dr. Kook-Chin Kim, Korean Ambassador to Thailand and AIT Trustee, said, 'Given the acceleration of technological development, there has been discerned a growing risk that new technologies are likely to be monopolized by a few developed countries, or even more notably by a few multinational corporations of developed countries, thereby leaving developing countries far behind in the era of technological revolution. In this context, it is indeed crucially essential to make concerted efforts on the part of national and regional institutes, such as KIST and AIT, to enhance cooperation in the fields of technology development and higher education.
His Excellency stressed that at the core of the AIT-KIST cooperation is a determination to address critical issues related to technological development and education and to share their technological development benefits, in support of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
PARTICIPATING IN THE SYMPOSIUM
Attending the symposium were Dr. Lee Seung-Hwan, a faculty member of AIT's UEEM Program and Symposium Coordinator; and Prof. Mario T. Tabucanon, Provost, left and right, first row, with KIST faculty members.
Prof. H. N. Phien, Dean of School of Advanced Technologies, and Prof. Chongrak Polprasert, Dean of School of Environment, Resources and Development, left and right, first row.
Dr. Ahn Kyu-Hong, Director of Research Planning Division, first row, left.