AIT programs are “excellent examples of its commitment of developing highly qualified and committed professionals who can play a leading role in the sustainable development of their countries, besides accelerating its integration into the global economy.” These were the comments of Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees while delivering the inaugural remarks at the commencement of three professional short course programs for participants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan and Thailand, on 16 November 2015.

Internationalization of education should not be defined by an increase in the number of international students and faculty members, and neither does it mean signing more international agreements, holding more conferences or the establishment of international campuses. Rather, the core element of internationalization is whether the academic syllabus of a university educates its students to think globally and help them in becoming global citizens.

The 100th Advanced Course on Administration and Development (ACAD) delivered at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) was inaugurated by the Minister of State, Ministry of Public Administration, Government of Bangladesh, H.E. Ismat Ara Sadique on 26 October 2015. Inaugurating the program, the Minister remarked that AIT is known as one of the best institutes, and such courses provide an opportunity to government officials and civil servants to learn and adapt to new developments.

A “Policy Guidance Manual on Wastewater Management” was released on the occasion of the Sixth Asia Pacific Urban Forum (APUF6) at Jakarta, Indonesia on 19 October 2015. Jointly produced by UN ESCAP, UN-Habitat and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), the manual focuses on decentralized wastewater treatment systems.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), World Wildlife Fund-Thailand (WWF-Thailand) and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) jointly hosted a “River and Wetland Watch Volunteering Programme” in Nakhon Phanom Province on 17-18 October 2015 in a bid to improve and develop the river and wetlands in the Lower Songkhram River Basin.

Shrimp farming which began as a traditional small-scale business in Southeast Asia has now emerged as a global industry. Aiding the rise of shrimp farming are newer technologies like Biofloc that enable production of shrimp without water exchange. Bioflocs also maintain good water quality and provide essential and high quality nutrients to shrimps.

Mr. Adthaporn Singhawichai, an alumnus of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been appointed as Governor of Surin province, which is located in the North eastern region of Thailand bordering Cambodia. A graduate of Human Settlements and Development, Mr. Adthaporn completed his Master’s of Science from AIT in 1987. He assumed duties as Governor from 1 October 2015.

Nepal’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Khaga Nath Adhikari, visited the Asian Institute of Technology on 29 September to discuss ways for advancing a stronger, mutually beneficial relationship between his country and the international institute.

Mainstreaming water management into economic, social and environmental sustainability objectives is a key challenge that water professionals will face in the coming years, with an objective of balancing costs and benefits of national water assets within our socio-economic environment. Highlighting 50 years of developments in the water sector was Dr. Mogens Dyhr-Nielsen, who was delivering the Second AIT Distinguished Adjunct Faculty (DAF) Seminar on 22 September 2015.

Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for launching a Unified Bachelor-Master Degree Program. The MoA was signed by Dr. Stephen Mavely, Vice Chancellor of ADBU, and Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, President of AIT on 21 September 2015.