AIT's 95th Graduation Day
On August 16, 2002, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) held the 95th Graduation Ceremony
for its doctoral and master degrees students at AIT Conference Center Auditorium. AIT President,
Prof. Jean-Louis Armand presided over the ceremony and awarded degrees to 343 students; 238
of whom are from the School of Environment, Resources and Development, 14 from the School of
Advanced Technology, three from the School of Civil Engineering, and 88 from the School of Management.
Up to date, AIT has graduated 11,812 students from Asia and other regions, with the largest number
of alumni of 3,062 coming from Thailand.
To mark the occasion of AIT's 95th Graduation, the Institute presented an honorary degree of Doctor
of Philosophy to Prof. Shiguéhiko HasumI, Prof. Emeritus and former President of the
University of Tokyo in recognition of his important role and leadership in the support of higher
education globally and in the region.
Prof. Hasumi has made significant contributions in the promotion of Asian studies in the region
as well as the strengthening of the relationship between AIT and the University of Tokyo.
Through this institutional partnership, AIT's ability to carry out its mission in the region in human
resource development has been immensely enhanced. The leadership of the University of Tokyo
in facilitating Japanese faculty secondment, scholarships, and other forms of academic support
provided by the Government of Japan has enabled AIT to maintain high quality teaching and research.
Prof. Hasumi received his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Paris;
M.A. from the Graduate School of Human Sciences, the University of Tokyo; and B.A. from the
Faculty of Letters, the University of Tokyo.
He was the President of the University of Tokyo during 1997-2001 and the Chairman of the Association
of East Asian Research Universities in the year 2000 to 2001. Between 1998 to 2001, he was the
Chairman of the Association of Japan National Universities. He was also a member of the Council for
University Evaluation, National Institution of Academic Degrees (1998-2001) and a member of the
University Council of Japan (1998-2000).
Prof. Hasumi received international recognitions from various institutions. He was awarded the
Prix Litteraire – meilleur ouvrage sur le cinema traduit en francais in 1998, the Minister of Education
Prize for Promotion of Arts in 1989, and the Yomiuri Prize of Literature in 1978. He was also honored with
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (1999), Docteur Honoris Causa from the University de
Paris 8 (1997), and Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (1987). He was invited to lecture at
several international institutions such as Stanford University, Cannes International Film Festival,
University of Chicago, Chinese Film Archives, Moscow Film Museum.
Awardees
At the 95th Graduation Ceremony, graduates with significantly academic performance are
presented the graduation outstanding awards. The awardees are:
Chintana Boonthamjinda Memorial Prize
Mr. Delahaye Gamucci Olivier
(M.Sc., Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management Field of Study, SERD).
A Belgian citizen, Mr. Olivier obtained his B.Sc. in Biology from Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium in 2000.
Thesis: Inland Fish Seed Status in Southern Cambodia
Advisors: Dr. Amrit Bart/ Dr. Graham C. Mair
Y. Y. Kishida Prize
Mr. Harmanto
(M.Eng., Agricultural Engineering Field of Study, SERD)
An Indonesian, Mr. Harmanto has his B.Eng. in Agricultural Machinery from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta in 1992. Prior to joining AIT, he worked as a Research Engineer with Center for Development of Agricultural Machinery, Indonesia.
Thesis: Water Requirement of Drip Irrigated Greenhouse-Grown Tomatoes in Tropical Environment
Advisors: Prof. Vilas M. Sakohe/ Dr. Mukand S. Babel
Alastair M. North Prize and The Yoh Kurosawa Prize
Mrs. Shabnam Shivakoti Aryal
(M.Sc., Agricultural Systems Field of Study, SERD)
Mrs. Aryal from Nepal graduated with a B.Sc.Ag. degree in Agricultural Economics from the Institute
of Agriculture and Animal Science, Chitwan, in 1997. She served as an Assistant Planning Officer
with HMG, Ministry of Agriculture, Kathmandu, before joining AIT.
Thesis: Role of women in Land Management and Conservation: A Case Study from the Middle Hills of Nepal
Advisor: Dr. Michael Albert Zoebisch
The Yoshiro Takasaki Prize
Mr. Peerapat Vithayasricharoen
(M.Eng., Energy Economics and Planning Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Peerapat from Thailand has his B.Eng. degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Australia in 1998. He worked as an Engineer with Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand before joining AIT.
Thesis: Electricity Transmission Pricing Under Competitive Environment: Case of Thailand
Advisor: Prof. Ram M. Shrestha
The Yoshiro Takasaki Prize
Mr. Tanawat Nakawiro
(M.Eng., Electric Power System Management Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Tanawat from Thailand obtained his B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang, Thailand in 1998. He was an Engineer with Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand before joining AIT.
Thesis: Economic Dispatch with Natural Gas Take-or-pay Contract
Advisor: Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul
The Yoshiro Takasaki Prize
Mr. Nguyen Le Truong
(M.Eng., Energy Technology Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Truong from Vietnam obtained his B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology in 1998.
Thesis: Energy and Environment Management in the Plastic Forming Industry of Ho Chi Minh City
Advisor: Dr. Sivanappan Kumar
Albert Stevens Prize and The Yoh Kurosawa Prize
Miss Sirikanya Vibhasiri
(M.Sc., Bioprocess Technology Field of Study, SERD)
Miss Sirikanya from Thailand graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Biotechnology from Mahidol University, Thailand, in 2000
Thesis: Controlled Release of Drugs from Chitosan Membrane and Gel
Advisor: Prof. Willem F. Stevens/ Mrs. Suwalee Chandrkrachang
The Y.Y. Kishida Prize
Miss Navaphattra Bhitiyakul
(M.Eng., Post-harvest and Food Process Engineering Field of Study, SERD)
Miss Navaphattra from Thailand obtained her B.Eng. in Agricultural Engineering from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang, Thailand, in 1999. Prior to joining AIT, Miss Navaphattra worked as a Lecturer with KMITL.
Thesis: Performance Evaluation of an Electronic Nose for Selected Food Quality Analysis
Advisor: Prof. Vinod K. Jindal
Sukum Navapan Prize
Mr. Liu Fuping
(M.Sc., Pulp and Paper Technology Field of Study, SERD) Mr. Liu, a Chinese citizen, has his B.Eng. in Pulping Engineering from Northwest University of Light Industry, People's Republic of China in 1998
Thesis: Suitability of Acacia Pulp for Woodfree Coating Basepapers
Advisor: Dr. Elias Retulainen
Institute Prize
Miss Kelley Frances Gary
(M.Sc., Gender and Development Field of Study, SERD)
Miss Gary received her B.A. in International Relations from Scripps College, U.S.A. in 2000.
Thesis: A Woman's Place? Gender in Lao Politics
Advisor: Dr. Bernadette P. Resurreccion
Tim Kendall Memorial Prize
Mr. Tek Narayan Maraseni
(M.Sc., Natural Resources Management Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Maraseni from Nepal received his B.Sc. in Forestry from Institute of Forestry, Nepal, in 1992. Prior to joining AIT, he worked as a District Forest Officer with the Department of Forest, Nepal
Thesis: Harvesting Techniques and Market Analysis of Selected Non Timber Forest Products in Makawanpur District, Nepal
Advisor: Dr. Ganesh P. Shivakoti
James A. Linen III Memorial Prize
Mrs. Sharmina Afrin
(M.Sc., Regional and Rural Development Planning Field of Study, SERD)
Mrs. Afrin from Bangladesh obtained her B.B.A. in Business Administration from Khulna University, Bangladesh in 1995. Prior to joining AIT, Mrs. Afrin worked as a Lecturer with Khulna University, Bangladesh
Thesis: Socioeconomic Impact of Micro Credit Programs on Rural Women in Bangladesh: A Comparison of Government and Non-Government Programs
Advisor: Dr. Jayant K. Routray
Mr. Basan Shrestha
(M.Sc., Regional and Rural Development Planning Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Shrestha from Nepal received his M.A. in Sociology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in 1995. Before joining AIT, he worked as a Head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit with Agricultural Research Station, Nepal
Thesis: Factors Differentiating Active and Passive User Groups Induced for Watershed Management in the Western Hills of Nepal
Advisor: Dr. Gopal B. Thapa
Robert B. Banks Prize
Mr. Ekbordin Winijkul
(M.Eng., Environmental Technology and Management Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Ekbordin from Thailand graduated with a B.Eng. degree in Environmental Engineering from Chiangmai University, Thailand, in 2000
Thesis: Development of Synoptic Climatological Model for Forecasting Photochemical Smog Potential in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Advisor: Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh
Tim Kendal Memorial Prize
Mr. Sopit Pokasoowan
(M.Eng., Environmental Technology and Management Field of Study (Executive), SERD)
Mr. Sopit from Thailand obtained his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Royal Thai Air Force Academy, Thailand, in 1997.
Prior to joining AIT, Mr. Sopit worked as Deputy Director of the Flight Crew Training with Thai Airways International
Thesis: Management of Wastewater from Aircraft Engine-Overhaul Hangar
Advisor: Prof. Samorn Muttamara
The John A. Hrones Prize
Mr. Kiran Ajit Shinde
(M.Sc., Urban Environmental Management Field of Study, SERD)
Mr. Shinde from India obtained his Postgraduate Diploma in Planning from School of Planning,
Center for Environmental Planning and Technology, India, in 1977. Mr. Shinde worked as a Research
Associate with Maharashtra Social Housing and Action League, India, before joining AIT
Thesis: Urban Environmental Governance for Religious Tourism in Selective Pilgrim Towns in India
Advisor: Prof. Walter Jamieson
The Hisamatsu Prize and The Yoh Kurosawa Prize
Miss On-Anong Larpparisudthi
(M.Eng., Water and Wastewater Engineering Field of Study, SERD)
Miss On-Anong from Thailand obtained her B.Eng. in Environmental Engineering from Chulalongkorn University,
Thailand, in 2000.
Thesis: Wastewater Quality Monitoring Using Spectrophotometry
Advisor: Prof. Chongrak Polprasert
The Mekong River Commission Prize
Mr. Pham Van Tan
(EMBA, Human Resources Management, School of Management)
Mr. Pham from Vietnam obtained his B.Eng. in Hydrology from Hanoi Water Resources University, Vietnam in 1989.
Prior to joining AIT, Mr. Pham worked as a Human Resources Development Assistant with Mekong River Commission,
Thailand and Cambodia
Thesis: Improving the job analysis practice at the Hydrometeorological service of Vietnam
Advisor: Dr. Truong Quang