There is a lack of awareness on judicious use of resources while tackling adaptation issues in climate change, particularly in the agriculture sector. This was stated by Prof. Stefan Uhlenbrook, Director, Academic Affairs UNESCO-IHE, during the inauguration of the two-day inception workshop on Adaptation to Global Change in Agricultural Practices (AGloCAP) organized at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 10-11 January 2011.

Norway has been a long time strong supporter of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and it will continue to support AIT in the future. This was stated by Her Excellency Ms. Katja Christina Nordgaard, Ambassador of Kingdom of Norway to Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar during her visit to AIT on 11 January 2011. H.E. Ms. Katja was impressed by AIT’s achievements and progress since its inception and made detailed inquiries of the programs, strategy and funding pattern of the Institute.

AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust advised new students to forge meaningful networks during their stay at AIT. Addressing the batch of 73 new students from 12 countries across four continents on the occasion of Orientation Day, Prof. Irandoust stated that AIT provides an international experience, thereby helping students attain a capability which distinguishes them from others.

Novel laureate and Chairperson, IPCC Prof. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, today advocated a new development path, based on community resilience and creation of a sober society, where resources are valorized and consumption is reduced. The development path is based on the understanding that atmosphere, land, water, biodiversity and human society are linked in a complex web of interactions and feedback.

Dr. Oanh Thi Kim Nguyen, Professor at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), has been awarded the plaque “Air Quality Hero” at the Better Air Quality (BAQ) Conference held at Singapore recently. Dr. Oanh was felicitated by the organizers for “consistent best presentation, most presentations and most number of abstracts submitted for BAQ over the years.”

The new Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) highlights the growing cooperation between the United States and the Lower Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The four pillars of LMI are education, health, environment and infrastructure and each county is expected to take the lead role in spearheading one initiative each.

The world would be a better place in case it was like the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The harmony and diversity in culture and ideas witnessed at AIT, is a role model for the world to emulate. These were the remarks of Mr. David L. Hulse, Representative of the Ford Foundation, Indonesia, while delivering the Graduation address at the 114th graduation at AIT on 17 December 2010.

An inspirational address by H.E. Professor Atta-Ur-Rahman traversing from celestial objects to luminescent orchids, had the graduands inspired and the audience captivated on the occasion of the 114th Graduation Ceremony at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 17 December 2010. Speaking after receiving a honorary doctorate (honoris causa), Prof. Rahman, who is the Cordinator General of the Committee on Science and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Pakistan, and a UNESCO Science Laureate, Prof. Rahman remarked that in this world, “truth is stranger than fiction”.

Five unique botanical displays set up outside the AIT Community Center drew the attention of hundreds of guests and graduates attending the 114th Graduation Ceremony on 17 December 2010. One of them, “Orchid Garden”, a floral display with a compelling tree trunk as its centerpiece, caught the eye of chief judge AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust and claimed top prized in a new competition spearheaded by Sodexo’s groundskeeper staff.