H. E. Mr. Yevgeny V. Afanasiev (left), Russian Federation Ambassador and Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President
Visiting AIT
On 01 November 2005, H. E. Mr. Yevgeny V. Afanasiev, Ambassador of the Federation of Russia to Thailand and Mr. Anatoly I. Bolotov, First Secretary of the Embassy of Russian Federation to Thailand visited AIT. During the visit, they were welcomed by Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President along with the Vice Presidents of Research and External Relations.
From left: Prof. Rakshit, Vice President-Education; Dr. Oleg Shipin, School of Sustainable Development; Prof. Vilas Wuwongse, Vice President-External Relations; H. E. Mr. Yevgeny V. Afanasiev, Ambassador ; Prof. Said Irandoust,
President of AIT and Mr. Anatoly I. Bolotov, First Secretary of the Embassy of Russian Federation to Thailand
H. E. Ambassador Afanasiev was keen to know the promotional efforts AIT was making under the new administration and offered the administration to assist in any way he could. His Excellency mentioned that the Russian Embassy could provide all contact details of Ministries and Universities that can be contacted and also offered help to AIT in arranging meetings for a planned visit of AIT delegation to Russia in early 2006.
H.E. Ambassador Afanasiev also mentioned that AIT could explore possibilities and enter into projects through the Thai-Russian bilateral agreements in education. Management is a field highly in demand in Russian and it was suggested that AIT could explore this market in Russia.
On the same day, Ms. Kit Clausen, First Counsellor and Ms. Marinette S. Forbes-Ricarte, Senior Development Cooperation Officer of the Royal Danish Embassy, Bangkok visited AIT. The purpose of the visit was to have a meeting to discuss the prospects of the Danida-AIT cooperation through Danish bilateral cooperation in the region. Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President; Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Head of External Relations and Communications Unit and Ms. Monowara Hussain, Program Coordinator attended the meeting.
Prof. Irandoust informed the Danish delegation about AIT's new planned initiatives in China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and explored the possibility of Danish cooperation. Ms. Clausen provided some useful input for AIT communications in Danish program countries in the region especially the Danish Governments new policy of providing in-country support through the Danish Embassies/Consulates located in the priority countries. Furthermore, she volunteered to prepare a record of discussion from the meeting for possible distribution among the Danish project partners. Ms. Clausen will also provide AIT with an updated list of Danida-funded projects/programs in the region so that AIT could communicate with the respective Programme Coordinators during any promotional trips to these countries.
The program countries of Danida include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. AIT could explore the possibility of cooperation in these countries, especially in Bhutan and Vietnam with a large number of projects that AIT could address and collaborate with.
On 31 October 2005, Prof. Said Irandoust (left), President of AIT welcomed Dr. Micheal John Segon (right), Director, MBA Programs, Graduate School of Business, RMIT University, Australia. Attending the meeting were Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Dean of School of Sustainable Development; Dr. Nazrul Islam, Acting Dean SOM; Prof. John C.S. Tang, SOM Faculty; Prof. Athapol Noomhorm, FEBT/SERD faculty; Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director of Promotions; and Mr. Kyaw Soe Hlaing, Alumni Relations Coordinator.
The meeting held discussion on possibilities of establishing a week-long intensive course and study visits between AIT's School of Management and RMIT MBA Programs covered under current AIT-RMIT University institute level general MoU. Another agenda that was also discussed was the incorporating of Management programs into the AIT-RMIT dual degree program in Food Technology and Biotechnology which is in the development process.
From left: Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President; H. E. Mr. Yaichil Batsuuri, Ambassador of Mongolia and Prof. Peter Haddawy, Vice President-Education
Prof. Irandoust on 31 October 2005 welcomed to AIT H. E. Mr. Yaichil Batsuuri,, Ambassador of Mongolia. Ambassador Batsuuri informed Prof. Irandoust that his Government is in need for the involvement of Institutions like AIT in the development of human resources development. Mongolia's particular interest was on mining for which AIT has the expertise in geotechnical engineering. In addition, the Embassy of Mongolia would help AIT in providing information of contacts in Mongolia and also support AIT in promotional efforts in other countries like Japan, Korea and Turkey which whom Mongolia has a good relationship with. There were also discussions on the Government of Mongolia having new trade projects with Thailand and the importance of AIT in the involvement of writing proposal and other preparations needed for the project. Other interests of Mongolia the Ambassador said is in the master's degree program and training courses at AIT.
On 31 October, AIT welcomed Mr. Satit Sirirangkamanont, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment. During his meeting with Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President, Mr. Satit discussed issues of cooperation between AIT and BOI, explored the possibility of linking AIT with the industrial sector in Thailand to help contribute to the Thai economy. In the meeting, Mr. Satit on hehalf of BOI expressed much interest in joining hands with AIT to undertake R & D in various fields of industries.