RANONG – Thai and U.S. government officials, community members, and private sector representatives gathered in Ranong’s Suk Samron subdistrict on 12 December to inaugurate the Kamphuan Community Learning Center and commemorate the second anniversary of the December 2004 tsunami.

Ceremonial plaque for ISET building

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Shivaji University (SU), Kolhapur, India, have reached an agreement for a five-year unified international bachelor’s-master’s degree program which will be signed before March 2007. Prof.

Mr. Nico Barito, Senior Fellow, Decentralized Cooperation Programme, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) visited AIT on Wednesday, 4 January and met with Prof. Said Irandoust, AIT President as well as Director of the AIT Extension, Dr. Jonathan Shaw.

Dr. Manukid Parnichkun of  the Mechatronics field of study, School of Engineering and Technology, was recognized by Krungthep Thurakij, a Thai business newspaper, as one of the national four inventors who developed the works that grasps the hearts of Thai people.

On 9 January His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Thailand graciously presented  the “Best Engineering Student Achievement Medal” to 45 senior students who were selected by the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT). These students rank first in their respective fields of study from all universities in Thailand, all with a cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its support to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) during the meeting of the AIT delegation with Minister H.E. Mr. Nitya Pibulsonggram on 9 January 2007. The AIT delegation included Dr. Tej Bunnag, chairman of the board, Prof.

Photo shows Mr. Sattrawut Ponboon, receiving the award on behalf of AIT and TARC from a representative of Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE)

The Asian Institute of Technology has been awarded India’s Institute of Road Traffic Education and the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award 2006 for contributions toward road safety in Thailand.

AIT and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) signed an agreement on 26 January 2007 to provide opportunities for professional education for teaching staff, promote institutional links and explore other avenues of collaboration.

AIT President Said Irandoust on 14 September held discussions with two high-ranking officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Masahiro Takeda, Deputy Director for Asia and Pacific Department and Mr. Alieu Demba, Division Chief, Recruitment and Staffing Division.

AIT will conduct the first International Tsunami Training Institute (ITTI) program in Asia on tsunami science and community preparedness. The certificate program, which will be carried out in partnership with the University of Washington at Seattle, and NOAA, USA, will entail a two-week intensive program for professionals working in the fields of disaster preparedness, warning and mitigation, with the aim of creating resilient coastal communities.