AIT also plans to open a center in China upon the invitation of its
partners in China. This center will join the list of already
established AIT centers in Vietnam and Indonesia, and will primarily
focus on capacity building needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
in rural areas of China. This year, as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee
(1959-2009), AIT is significantly increasing its engagement with the
People’s Republic of China.
Over its half century history as a leading independent, regional
developmental postgraduate institution, AIT has enjoyed a long
association and partnership with China. Many senior Chinese government
officials have been represented on the AIT Board of Trustees since
1990. The Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges (DICE),
under the Ministry of Education in China, has supported over 70
scholarships for Chinese students to earn postgraduate degrees at AIT
in Thailand.
At present, 19 students from China are enrolled at AIT in Thailand,
including two through scholarships from DICE. A total of 701 Chinese
nationals have graduated from AIT. Many graduates have assumed
significant governmental, non-governmental and private sector
positions, and at all levels of Chinese society.
China’s winner of the prestigious 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Mr. Yu
Xiaogang, is an AIT alumnus. Mr. Yu is a shining example of how AIT has
played a role in bringing about the potential and professional capacity
of many bright young minds across Asia.
The Press Conference and Mini Exhibition was also highlighted in the
media in China.
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2009-10/27/content_18778078.htm