the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on behalf of Myanmar's Ministry of
Construction, accompanied by Mr. Win Pe, Mr. Win Tint and Mr. Myint
Naing.
In the agreement, AIT will support Myanmar by launching a 1-year
Professional Master’s Degree Program on Project Management in
Construction in Myanmar, with the aim to train Myanmar professionals to
play a leading role in the international construction industry.
AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai welcomed Ambassador U Win
Maung and the delegates from Ministry of Construction headed by Mr.
Kyaw Linn, Director General, Ministry of Construction.
Prof. Worsak stated that AIT has provided education, training and
research opportunities to Myanmar since the 1970s with the aim of
capacity building. Most recently the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has provided scholarships for 136 Master degree students to
study at AIT, providing further capacity building in light of recently
changes in the country.
AIT School of Engineering and Technology's Dr. BHW Hadikusumo briefly
explained the scope of the MOA, wherein students study in Myanmar for
one year with AIT faculty members who will deliver the course
content. Following this, students will carry out their project study
work and conduct field trips outside of Myanmar.
H.E. Ambassador U Win Maung stated that AIT is one of the
leading Institutions in Thailand and Asia-Pacific region that has
contributed to national and regional development through technology
transfer and sustainable development.
The ambassador also noted that AIT has directly contributed to the
capacity building of numerous government officials through degree level
education. The ambassador said the agreement signed between the
Ministry of Construction and AIT would further support capacity
building and the government’s ability to respond to climate change and
disaster-related event impact on infrastructure. The ambassador said he
looked forward to further cooperation between AIT and his
government.
Mr. Kyaw Linn, Managing Director, stated on behalf of the Ministry of
Construction that the MOA was directly approved by the President
of Myanmar as it directly addresses the requirement for capacity
building which is one of the elements of national reform. He added that
that the high level officials look forward to further
partnerships with AIT through capacity development programs to all
ministries in line with their reform programs.
DONATION BY UNITED NETWORK MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS
CENTER
Before the ceremony, Mr. Aung Myo Thaik (RS-GIS '95), Managing
Director, United Network Management and Business Center, who joined the
meeting, used the occasion to contribute a 200,000 Baht donation from
United to support Myanmar PhD student Mr. Myint Naing, UEM-SERD. The
contribution was to mark ten years of successful cooperation between
United Network and AIT.
Mr. Aung also made a personal donation of 15,000 Baht to AIT's Library
Modernization Campaign. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity
to contribute a second time to the development of AIT, saying that
regardless of the amount, he hoped his contribution would benefit the
campaign.
AIT President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai stated that the Myanmar Alumni
Association was the first group to donate to the campaign (which also
included a contribution from Mr. Aung), and that this highlights the
generous nature of the alumni in Myanmar. The president informed Mr.
Aung that the Library Modernization Campaign has so far raised about
43-44 million Baht and was approaching its target of 50 million
Baht.
Also attending the MoA signing ceremony was Ms. Aye Aye Aung, First
Secretary Myanmar Embassy, Mr. Win Pe and Mr. Win Tint of Ministry of
Construction, Mr. Myint Naing, Union Construction, Minister’s Office,
Mr.Aung Myo Thaik, UNMBC, Dr. Huynh Trung Luong, Acting Dean SET, Dr.
Naveed Anwar, Director AIT Consulting, Dr. BHW Hadikusumo, CEIM, Dr.
Chotchai Chareonngam, CEIM, Dr. Djoen Santoso CEIM, Dr. Nitivattananon
Vilas, UEM-SERD, Dr. Than Lin, SET, Dr. Gabrielle Groves
Punyaratabandhu, Head ERCO
