access to thousands of Thai schools
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Office of Higher
Education Commission (OHEC) have joined forces to enable thousands of
schools across Thailand to be connected to the internet for the first
time.
Through a memorandum of understanding signed on 31 March 2015, AIT will
provide 32,768 IPv4 addresses to be used by OHEC’s subsidiary office of
Information Technology Administration for Educational Development
(UniNet), which is in need of internet addresses for schools in
Thailand.
UniNet provides high-speed information network linkage to universities,
institutes and campuses. By connecting with research networks located
in foreign countries, the agency enables Thailand’s higher education
institutes to manage their virtual classrooms located abroad.
As the world is now in short supply of IPv4 addresses, AIT’s goodwill
gesture to Thailand will enable many thousands of students to learn and
research online from high-end digital resources.
AIT will also benefit by securing access to UniNet’s high-speed fiber
optic research and education networks of at least 1 Gbps. The
independent international postgraduate institute will receive the same
rights and privileges as a full member of UniNet, with the same access
as Thai universities to domestic and international education networks,
as well as to the commercial internet.
OHEC Secretary-General Dr. Kamjorn Tatiyakavee said the deal will give
a boost to the Ministry of Education’s efforts to promote IT-based
learning and research via the internet. The government aims to achieve
a “digital economy” in the near future, so connecting all of the
nation’s schools is an important step forward.
AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai said the Pathumthani-based
institute is thankful for the generous support it receives from the
Royal Thai Government, and is pleased to partner with OHEC to improve
the country’s online connectivity in education.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Kamjorn Tatiyakavee and AIT President Worsak
at the Asian Institute of Technology. UniNet Director Dr. Wichan
Lertwipatrakul witnessed the signing and was accompanied by UniNet
staff members Ms. Patama Bunnag, Head of Academic Resource Subdivision;
Mr. Tawee Sribudee, Head of Network Operation; and Ms. Piyanuch
Prangmanee, Educator.
Attending the ceremony on behalf of AIT was Prof. Emeritus Dr. Sahas
Bunditkul, Chairperson AIT Executive Committee; Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto,
Vice President for Resources Development; Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice
President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Chettiyappan Visvanathan, Dean,
AIT School of Environment, Resources and Development; Dr. Surachet
Pravinvongvuth, RTG Faculty Representative; Mr. Viraphan Samadi, Senior
IT Specialist, IntERLab; Dr. Gabrielle Groves Punyaratabandhu, Head,
External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO); Ms. Wannapa
Pliensri, RTG Coordinator, ERCO; Mr. Zia Islam, Representative, AIT
School of Management, and Mr. Shawn Kelly, Media and Communications
Unit.
