for Asian Cooperation”
Dr. Subin Pinkayan
Chairman of Board of Trustees
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Dr. Subin Pinkayan is a member of the Asian Institute of Technology’s
first graduating class in 1961. He has achieved the highest levels of
success in his career spanning academia, government service, politics,
and business. On the political side, he is a former Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Thailand, and former minister of three other government
ministries. As an AIT alumnus who made abundant contributions to the
nation and to the region, he was inducted into AIT’s Hall of Fame in
2010. At present, he has been invited to serve as Chairman of the AIT
Board of Trustees. Dr. Subin has a 5-year goal to steer this
international institute forward as a platform for international
cooperation with a focus on benefiting Thailand and the Asian region as
the main objective.
Asian Institute of Technology
Center of Excellence of Advanced Research and Development
“The Asian Institute of Technology or AIT is an international
institute which is highly recognized and well known. It is considered
as the first institute in Asia to offer international master’s degree
and doctoral studies, and has produced qualified graduates in
engineering, science, technology and management. For the last 55 years,
the institute has been able to contribute human resources supporting
Asia’s development and has served as a platform for academic
cooperation at the global level.
“The institute maintains a politically neutral status, and is
considered as an independent non-profit organization. At present, the
institute has approximately 2,000 master’s and doctoral students, with
70% being foreign (non-Thai) students. AIT is likely the only
educational institute in the world with such a large proportion of
foreign students. AIT is a center of excellence of education and
advanced research and development. It does not focus on all disciplines
like general full-fledged universities. Instead, AIT emphasizes
academic fields of study that emerge from various interdisciplinary
programs and cross-boundary programs which are necessary for solving
problems in the region. It emphasizes practical applications of
research. This is how AIT has been able to maintain its uniqueness for
more than 55 years amidst the rise of full-fledged universities that
have considerable resources in the country and in the region. The
institute has proved that it has a problem-solving role in the region.
It has distinguished itself by creating an international network as
well as serving as a platform for international academicians and
professionals to conduct joint research which responds to the
development needs of Asia and the rest of the world.”
Focusing on generating new knowledge in 6 themes
Responding to the Needs of Human Beings and Community
“Even though it was established more than 55 years ago, AIT still
maintains its presence as a unique institution by acting as a service
provider that fulfills current regional and global development needs,
as well as other needs which might happen in the future. Asia is now
facing serious sustainability challenges that will require innovation,
as well as qualified individuals who possess leadership. We are mindful
of the needs of the billions of people living in this continent by
being the service provider of local solutions that contribute to
creating sustainable systems for all. Our focus is on generating new
knowledge and applying it into technology in ways that are relevant to
the wider society.
“In terms of academics, research and social service (outreach), AIT
has identified six interdisciplinary themes that describe the basic
needs of human beings and communities to survive, namely water (water
management), food (food production), energy (alternative energy),
information (communication and informatics), infrastructure
(logistics), and environment (environmental protection). The
institute’s challenge is to link and network with countries,
international organizations and industry across Thailand and Asia to
jointly solve regional level problems and to lead the well-being of the
community.”
Being “an engineer” teaches one how to solve technical
problems
Leadership and Innovation Ensure Success
“Fifty years ago, my engineering education at AIT provided me with an
excellent foundation for technical problem solving. But the current
situation has changed very much. The knowledge and skills required to
administrator and business organization are not gained from traditional
engineering education only. From now on, those who succeed
professionally at the very highest levels should possess character and
skills of leadership and professional entrepreneurship. These two
skills are extremely important for company presidents, executives,
professionals and leading researchers. So AIT’s curriculum needs to
change to include these skills in its academics and training. This will
prepare and develop our students to be qualified and ready for
leadership roles. It will provide them with the foundation to become
business entrepreneurs. These two skills will also emphasize
international engagement and innovation.”
Revealing the AIT 5-year plan (2015 – 2019)
Be ready to produce leaders and professional entrepreneurs for all
countries in Asia
“In the next five years (2015 – 2019), what I regard as important
factors are the 6 themes which I already mentioned. We wish AIT to be a
source of knowledge on water in the Asian region. So, at AIT, we wish
to establish the Asian Water Academy. On the issue of food, AIT will
establish a Research Center for Post-harvest Processing, which will
conduct research on the processing of agricultural outputs for value
addition of crops experiencing a production surplus such as rice,
cassava, corn and rubber. This will allow the farmers to be able to
continue their careers rather than entering a new profession for which
they are ill-equipped. If Thailand does not accept this way of
thinking, there will be many countries in Asia facing the same
agricultural market surplus who will be interested.
“AIT is now 55 years old. If it were a human being, we would have to
regard AIT as an adult. We should do the work that benefits our society
and pay back those who have helped us. From now on, AIT needs to be a
contributor and provide services to those who would like us to help. We
will include new innovations in our curriculum to produce leaders and
professional entrepreneurs who are able to support the industries that
are important to the Asian region. Such success will help AIT continue
to be stable and have a sustainable role forever.”
The interview can also be downloaded from this link.
