The socio-economic cost of road accidents, and the immense human suffering they inflict, is far too high a price to pay for mobility, President Said Irandoust told an international conference organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok.

President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) was invited to speak at the Thailand Infrastructure Forum to speak on Public Private Partnership: The New Road Map for Action on 25 August 2010. President Irandoust who was the key speaker in the panel on Social development: Public health and education delved on the question whether PPP could enhance quality of higher education.

The new Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is a landmark document and it renews the long trusted partnership that exists between the Institute and its stakeholders, respective governments and international organizations. This was stated by H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Former Foreign Minister of Thailand and Chairman, Board of Trustees of AIT during the adoption and signing ceremony of the new AIT Charter at the Vites Samosorn Room in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

H.E.Mr. Kasit Piromya, Foreign Minister of Thailand has stated that AIT is a center of excellence in research and knowledge in Southeast Asia. The Foreign Minister stated this during the adoption and signing ceremony of the New Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 25 August 2010.

A landmark in Thailand’s higher learning was reached when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya signed the new Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, thereby initiating the process to grant it the status of an International organization. AIT becomes the first international organization in the field of higher learning in Thailand.

A new era will dawn at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 25 August 2010 with the Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Royal Thai Government, H.E. Kasit Piromya signing the new AIT Charter. After the signing ceremony, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will open the AIT Charter to various countries and intergovernmental organizations for signing and endorsement, a process which would lead to the eventual grant of the status of an intergovernmental organization to AIT.

Pokhara University, Nepal has sought assistance from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for capacity building of its faculty members. This was stated by the Prof. Keshar Jung Baral, Vice Chancellor of Pokhara University, Nepal during their visit to AIT on 17 August 2010

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the booth set up by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 11 August 2010 at the Science and Technology Fair organized at the Bi-Tech Bang –Na Conference Center. After inaugurating the fair, Her Royal Highness visited the AIT Booth where Prof.Athapol Noonhom, Coordinator, Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology Field of Study, presented various research projects undertaken by the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) and the School of Engineering and Technology (SET).

Ambassador of France to Thailand H.E. Gildas Le Lidec, during his maiden visit to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) reaffirmed the commitment of France to sign the new AIT Charter. The Ambassador, while interacting with the AIT senior management, stated that the French version of the new AIT Charter will have to be endorsed and once this requirement is met, France would also become a signatory.