Ever since its inception in 1959, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been a microcosm of the entire world, and 4 August 2017 was no exception. The incoming batch of August 2017 had students ranging from Canada to Fiji, and from Ecuador to Japan, representing virtually all corners of the world.
As students from all over assembled at the AIT landmark for their first group photograph, they joined the larger AIT family that boasts of a global footprint spread across 101 countries. The latest batch latest batch of AIT students comes from 34 countries and they hail from Oceania, Asia, Europe, Africa, and North & South America. AIT is also proud to welcome its first students from Costa Rica and Ecuador.
Students at the Orientation Day at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
“AIT’s role has changed over the past few decades,” President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai told the incoming batch. Focusing on the development of the region during its early days, AIT is now a platform for global collaboration, Prof. Worsak said. A lot has changed since AIT was founded in 1959 - geopolitically, economically and socially. But one thing has not changed, and that is that no other institute in the world can duplicate what AIT has achieved, he added. “Our role is to prepare globally responsible citizens,” the AIT President said as he pointed out that the Institute focuses on innovation and tackling global issues for sustainable future of mankind.
Also welcoming the new students were the three Vice Presidents - Prof. Sivanappan Kumar (Academic Affairs), Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto (Administration), and Mr. Surendra Shrestha (Development), and the three Deans - Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul (School of Engineering and Technology), Prof. Rajendra Shrestha (School of Environment, Resources and Development), and Prof. Lawrence S. Abeln (School of Management).
Incoming students were informed about Language Center services and English language requirements by Dr. Freek Olaf de Groot, Director, Language Center; Innovation and startup opportunities by Dr. Naveed Anwar, Director, AIT Solutions; Academic requirements and practices by Ms. Laarni Roa, Director, Office of Student Affairs (OSA); Career Center and Student Welfare by Ms. Carla Gonzales, Coordinator, Career Center and Student Welfare Unit; IT services and policies by Dr. Harianto, IT Consultant; facilities management and accommodation policies by Khun Wanchai Sophonsakulrat, Director, Office of Facilities and Assets Management; and educational visa and Government relations services by Suda Inta, Sr. Government Officer, Government Relations Unit, Office of Host Country Relations; Mr. Laarni Roa, Head, OSA, and Dr. Tenzin Ragbyal, Coordinator, Admissions, Scholarships/Invoicing Unit were the emcees of the Orientation Day program.
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New students pose for their first group photograph in front of the AIT Landmrk.