Irandoust appoints new VPs
Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President, recently announced the appointment of three new vice presidents (VPs). Appointed were as follows: Professor Peter Haddawy as VP for Education, Professor Sudip K. Rakshit as VP for Research and Professor Vilas Wuwongse and Professor Khin Ni Ni Thein as VP for External Relations. The announcement was made on 30 August 2005.
Prof. Irandoust also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of the community and alumni for their active participation in the entire process and especially during the public hearings held on 22, 23 and 25 August 2005. He also added that all the candidates who appeared for the hearings were excellent proving that AIT has a large number of new and fresh ideas which is most encouraging for the future of the Institute. By taking part in the process, the candidates have inspired the AIT community by sharing their views, thoughts and reflections towards the betterment of the Institute. Through the participation in the public hearings, the candidates and members of the community have also contributed to the development of a culture of active participation, openness and transparency which the President highly appreciated and disclosed that has already contributed to a positive development of the Institute.
AIT President Irandoust expressed that in arriving at his final decision to select the Vice Presidents, he has tried to take into consideration the candidates' views and strategies as well as the reflections coming directly during the hearings and subsequently from the members of the community.
According to Prof. Irandoust, the appointments for the VP positions would be on a part-time basis (approximately 50%). In the case of the VP for External Relations appointment, he has selected two candidates namely, Professor Vilas Wuwongse whose appointment would be on a part-time (approximately 50% basis) and that with Professor Khin Ni Ni Thein's appointment also on part-time arrangement (approximately 20% basis). As an international institution AIT needs to be very proactive and aggressive in marketing approaches, partnerships and the building up of alliances. The institute needs to actively be present not only in Asia but many other regions as well. Since the Vice President appointments are on a part-time basis, many members of the community have expressed the importance of having more than one person to actively be involved in the different regions that AIT serves. Prof. Vilas's main competency and area of focus would be in Asia. AIT President Irandoust would also be actively involved in promoting AIT in Europe together with AIT's other partner countries. Prof. Ni Ni who has considerable experience dealing with NGO's would assist in AIT's external relations efforts in this area as well as in Europe and USA. It would also be the first time the Institute will have a female Vice President.
Other shortlisted candidates for Vice Presidents were: Vice President (Education) - Prof. Tawatchai Tingsanchali of SCE; Prof. Stephen Ogunlana of SCE;
Prof. A.T.M. Nurul Amin of SERD; and Dr. Jonathan Richmond of SERD; Vice President (External Relations) - Prof. Chongrak Polprasert, Acting Dean SERD and SCE; Prof. Vilas Salokhe of SERD; and Vice President (Research) - Prof. Ram M. Shrestha, Dr. Ulrich Glawe.
Further information and platforms presented by the VPs during the hearing can be read on the next issue of the AIT Newsletter Vol 4. No. 8.