AIT’s Quasquicentennial Graduation also reached another landmark on 19
May 2016, when Benin became the 101st country in the list of countries
and territories from where AIT graduates hail.
The day’s graduates came from the continents of Asia, Africa and
Europe, with Sri Lanka graduating the most number of students (100),
followed by Thailand (77), Myanmar and Vietnam (58 each), and India and
Nepal (47 each).
Delivering the Graduation Message, AIT President Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai said: “Life is a journey, and all accomplishments
should be taken as a starting point for further achievements.” He
complimented the students for their achievement and welcomed them into
the global network of AIT alumni. “I am confident that your time at
AIT’s international and multicultural setting has prepared you for your
life’s journey,” the AIT President said. Prof. Worsak exhorted students
to continue their association with AIT, and also contribute to AIT.
Giving back to AIT will help you feel great and also help the Institute
in continuing to produce world class citizens, Prof. Worsak
added.
The Graduation Address during the Morning Ceremony was delivered by
Dr. Doulaye Koné, Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Be the best at what you are doing. From now on, each of you will be
making important decisions, and these decisions will have profound
impact on people’s life,” Dr. Koné said. He asked graduates to think
about the most vulnerable people while designing their projects.
Remember that both the rich and the poor are the same human beings with
same aspirations, Dr. Koné remarked.
H.E. Mr. Jesús Miguel Sanz, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the
European Union in Thailand, while delivering the Graduation Address
during the Afternoon Session asked students to be cognizant of the need
to steer the world towards a sustainable future. Engineers and
graduates from Southeast Asia have to play an important role in this
regard. “Our society needs you graduates to work towards addressing the
challenges that we are facing,” Ambassador Sanz said. Describing EU and
ASEAN as natural partners, he mentioned the benefits of regional
integration which Europe has reaped, and hoped that Southeast Asia
would benefit from regional cooperation.
Delivering the message as a Prominent Alumnus during the Morning
Session, Dr. Tong Ki Woo, Governor of Education, Daegu Metropolitan
City, Korea recalled how 33 years ago, he was also seated at AIT to
receive his degree.”I was full of excitement and I have many beautiful
memories from my 20 months of AIT,” Dr. Woo said. He stated that one of
his “most distinctive memory was the intimate friendships that he was
able to forge with students from various countries,” and through which
he was able to obtain a new awareness of Asia. He envisoned the concept
of “dreams beyond dreams,” where he suggested the establishment of an
“Asia Pacific Education Community” to fulfil this vision.
Dr. Suleeporn Choopavang, Director of Foreign Affairs Department,
Office of the Chaipattana Foundation delivered the message as a
Prominent Alumnus during the Afternoon Session. Inspiring students to
embrace the culture of “sharing and giving,” Dr. Choopavang asked
graduates to work towards changing lives. “When you are able to change
lives, you feel elevated, proud and happy,” she said. When you achieve
success, people will eventually join you, she added. She asked students
to believe in the power of giving, stating that it is contagious and
the more one gives, the more one receives.
The 125th Graduation also saw the conferment of the title of Emeritus
Professor on Prof. Chongrak Polprasert, Prof Vinod Jindal and Prof
Dennes Bergado. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Shrestha, Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe and
Dr. Manukid Parnichkun were installed as Professors. Dr. Avishek Datta
and Dr. Masahiko Nagai were honoured with the AIT Teaching Award of
2015, while Dr. Thammarat Koottatep and Dr. Kunnawee Kanitpong received
the AIT 2015 Distinguished Researcher Awards.
Dr. Vivek Mohan of School of Environment, Resources and Development
(SERD) and Dr. Adnan Nawaz of School of Engineering and Technology
(SET) delivered the message on behalf of Doctoral Graduates. Mr.
Suphamid Sriwattanachia, recipient of the AIT Alumni Association Prize
and co-winner of the Hisamatsu Prize, and Ms. Kalumith Upeka Madhavi De
Silva, winner of the Hiromichi Seya Prize, delivered the messages on
behalf of Master’s students.
Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs was the
Master of Ceremonies at the graduation. Candidates were presented for
award of degrees by the Chair of the Academic Senate, Prof. Mukand
Singh Babel, and the Deans of their respective schools — Prof. Voratas
Kachitvichyanukul, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology (SET);
Prof. Rajendra Shrestha of School of Environment, Resources and
Development (SERD); and Prof. Nazrul Islam of School of Management
(SOM). The intermission numbers was provided by children of the
AIT International School.
Scholarships for candidates who graduated today were provided by
Governments, international organizations and foundations, national and
local governments, universities and colleges, businesses and other
organizations.
Photo Albums from the Graduation are available at these links:
Facebook
Album I https://goo.gl/c1oixd
Album II https://goo.gl/FHBA57
Album III https://goo.gl/0buHpA
Google+
Album I https://goo.gl/3LYJci
Album II https://goo.gl/dFTkPv
Album III https://goo.gl/cWxNv2
