AIT Inaugurates the Belt & Road Research Centre

Renowned Chinese Entrepreneur Wang Shi Delivers the Inaugural Distinguished Entrepreneur Talk

60th Anniversary Fundraising

Seminars, Workshops and Conferences

Global Engagements

Partnerships and Agreements

Coming Up

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AIT Inaugurates the Belt & Road Research Centre

Aimed at incorporating regional research resources and promoting diversified cooperation under the framework of the Belt & Road Initiative, a Belt & Road Research Centre was inaugurated at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Inaugurating the Centre on 28 November 2019 were AIT President Dr. Eden Woon; Prof. Biliang Hu, AIT alumnus and Director, Belt and Road School, Beijing Normal University (BNU); Mr. Wang Shi, renowned Chinese entrepreneur and founder of Vanke; and Dr. Wenchao Xue of AIT, who has been appointed as the first Director of the Centre.

President Woon highlighted the importance of the AIT Belt & Road Research Centre, stating that Thailand lies at the center of the Belt & Road region. Moreover, Thailand enjoys excellent relations with China, and the majority of AIT students come from Belt & Road countries. The Centre will undertake research with the potential to benefit the entire region and engage with Chinese enterprises, businesses, foundations, and universities. “It will be a one-stop-shop for tapping into AIT’s network,” President Woon said. He also offered an inclusive definition of the Belt & Road concept, adding that AIT will act as a hub for the initiative. While several exchange scholarships for students from Belt & and Road countries have already been initiated, more are in the pipeline, Dr. Woon remarked.

The guest of honor for the occasion was entrepreneur Mr. Wang Shi, who stressed that the Centre will not be restricted to AIT academics but it will also link AIT with the leading global technology hub —Shenzhen, China. Mr. Wang Shi reminded everyone that while Shenzhen was founded 40 years ago, AIT is 60 years old.

“Today, we open a new page in history, and the significance of this event is tremendous,” Prof. Biliang Hu said. “After 20 years, you will look back to this day and realize the significance of this initiative,” he remarked.

A message from Ambassador of China to Thailand H.E. Mr. Lyu Jian was read out by Dr. Wenchao Xue. President Woon also thanked the AIT Alumni Association (China Chapter) for donating 10 million baht to the Centre.

Renowned Chinese Entrepreneur Wang Shi Delivers the Inaugural Distinguished Entrepreneur Talk

Renowned Chinese entrepreneur and founder of Vanke, Mr. Wang Shi delivered the inaugural Distinguished Entrepreneur Talk on November 27, 2019. “3 Mountains" was the title of the talk by the 68-year old entrepreneur who scaled the Mount Everest from the North and South sides in 2003 and 2010 respectively.

The eleventh person in the world to accomplish “7+2” – reaching the Seven Summits in 2004 and North and South Poles in 2005, Mr. Wang Shi sought to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs with his engaging talk. The two mountains that he referred to dealt with summiting Mt Everest twice, while the third mountain is about accomplishing a host of activities in the field of education and rural development.

Following the talk, Mr. Wang Shi visited the newly established AIT Entrepreneurship Center, as well as held discussions with the School of Environment, Resources, and Development on the issue of rural development. He was the guest of honor at the inauguration of the AIT Belt & Road Centre on November 28,2019.

60th Anniversary Fundraising

Nepal Government donates 60,000 USD

Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand H.E. Mr. Ganesh Prakash Dhakal handed over a donation of $ 60,000 to AIT President Dr. Eden Y Woon on November 5, 2019. Ambassador Dhakal, while handing over the cheque to President Woon, stated that the donation is being made “in view of the outstanding contribution made by AIT in the field of human resource development of Nepal, and on the happy occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of AIT.” The Government of Nepal appreciates AIT for its support to Nepal by providing scholarships as well as opportunities for higher education to Nepal students, he added. The Nepal Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Kripa Ram Rijyal, First Secretary, and Mr. Pratigya Rai, Second Secretary.

AIT Chinese Alumni: 1 million baht

Thailand’s AIT Chinese Alumni Representative Mr. Liu Chongming (SEC ’93), Deputy Managing Director, China State Construction Engineering (Thailand) Co. Ltd.signed the agreement with AIT President Dr. Eden Woon forthe Student Exchange Scholarship Program. Mr. Liu was accompanie by Mr. Liang Xin (GTE ’92), Managing Director, Wonderful Marble Co. Ltd. The donation will support airfares and living expenses for Chinese students exchanging with global partner universities outside of China with which AIT has an agreement. In addition, the scholarship may be used for other purposes (e.g., supporting students from Belt and Road countries with round-trip air tickets when exchanging with any China university with which AIT has an agreement).

Mr. Shih-Yi George Chen (TRE ’72): 600,000 baht

AIT Prominent Alumnus and 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Mr. Shih-Yi George Chen is providing support to AIT's 60th Anniversary for the updating of Student Village 1 (500,000 baht) and of laboratory equipment in the Geotechnical & Earth Resources Engineering (GTE) Laboratory, School of Engineering and Technology (100,000 baht).

Mr. Chen served as Division Convener of the Sustainable Development Division, National Policy Foundation, and Board Director of the China Road Federation. He has held numerous high positions in Government, serving as Acting Minister and Executive Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan.

AITAA Sri Lanka Chapter: 192,000 baht

The AITAA Sri Lanka Chapter support the 60th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign for Pursuing Academic Excellence with a 12-credit tuition fellowship in the amount of 192,000 baht to one deserving Sri Lankan student enrolled in one of the following schools: School of Environment, Resources, and Development, School of Engineering and Technology, and School of Management. This fellowship will be offered for the January 2020 intake.

AITAA Vietnam Chapter: 143,000 baht

Mr. Le Thanh Hao, President of AITAA Vietnam Chapter, presented AIT President Dr. Eden Woon with a donation of 143,000 baht in support of a Master’s tuition fellowship for one deserving Vietnamese student enrolled in one of the following schools: School of Environment, Resources, & Development, School of Engineering & Technology, and School of Management.

AITAA Bangladesh Chapter: 5,600 USD

Professor Dr. M. Kamal Uddin, President, AITAA Bangladesh Chapter, presented a donation of 5,600 US dollars to AIT President, Dr. Eden Woon, during the 48th AITAA Governing Board meeting held at the Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok. The donation is intended to support a Master’s tuition fellowship for one deserving Bangladeshi student enrolled in one of the following schools: School of Environment, Resources, & Development, School of Engineering & Technology, and School of Management. This fellowship will be offered for the January 2020 intake.

AITAA Hong Kong & Macau Chapter: 500,000 baht

Mr. Thomas Yau (SEC ’89), President, AITAA Hong Kong & Macau Chapter, presented the donation to AIT President Dr. Eden Woon in support of the 60th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign towards the updating of Student Village 2, where most of the contributors stayed while studying at AIT. He also handed over books for student reference to the AIT Library.

Dr. Tong Ki Woo: 5,000 USD

As part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations, AIT Prominent Alumnus (human Settlement Division, 1983) and 2019 Hall of Fame inductee Dr.Tong Ki Woo donated 5,000 USD for improvements

of Korea House.Dr. Tong Ki Woo served as faculty member, Dean, and eventually President of Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea. He was elected Governor of Education, Daegu Metropolitan City, for two consecutive terms.

Dr. Rafiul Ahad and Mrs. Frances Kasala Ahad: 1 million baht

Dr. Rafiul Ahad and Mrs. Frances Kasala Ahad, AIT alumni and CSIM ’80 graduates, is the seventh donor to support the Student Exchange Scholarship Program in the amount of 1 million baht.

The scholarship is intended to subsidize half of the airfare and living expenses for academically promising and financially needy AIT Master's students. The scholarship will focus on School of Engineering & Technology students from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. Students receiving a grant for this Exchange Program will be known as Rafiul Ahad and Frances Kasala Ahad Exchange Scholars.

Dr. Varaporn Jaovisidha: 1.2 million baht

Dr. Varaporn Jaovisidha, AIT alumna, a graduate of Systems Engineering Management '73. donated 1.2 million baht in support of AIT’s 60th anniversary for full scholarships for Master's students with any nationality enrolled in one of the following schools: School of Environment, Resources, & Development, School of Engineering & Technology, and School of Management.

Dr. Varaporn is Director of Toyota Tsusho (Thailand).

AIT Alumni Association Philippine Chapter: Book Donation

The AIT Alumni Association Philippine Chapter handed over a book donation to AIT President Dr. Eden Woon for the AIT Library during the 48th AITAA Governing Board meeting held at the Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok.

AIT Alumni Association Bhutan Chapter: 1000 USD

Mr. Gem Tshering, President, AITAA Bhutan Chapter, presented a donation of 1,000 US dollars to AIT President Dr. Eden Woon in support of the 60th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign. He was accompanied by other AIT alumni from Bhutan.

Dr. Torsak Lertsrisakulrat: 200,000 baht

Dr. Torsak Lertsrisakulrat, Managing Director, Eastern Star Real Estate Public Co. Ltd. and AIT alumnus in Structural Engineering '98, donated 200,000 baht for the updating of campus facilities in Student Dormitory F. He signed an agreement to this effect with AIT President Dr. Eden Woon on 15 November 2019. AIT Prominent Alumnus Dr. Torsak delivered his message during the 131st AIT graduation ceremony in May 2019.

Seminars, Workshops and Conferences

Workshop on “A Practical Approach on European Programmes: Opportunities under EU grants available for Asian universities"

by Prof Andrei Szuder (4 November 2019)

Training program on "Advanced Shrimp Farming" at Asian Institute of Technology

3-10 November 2019

CV Writing Workshop

by Dr. Andrew Stotz, Co-Founder & CEO, A. Stotz Investment Research (5 November 2019)

Seminar on "The ERA of Small Satellites and Role of ICT"

by Dr. K. Sarat Kumar, K L University, India (6 November 2019)

Professional Development Course on "Strategic Human Resource Management and Business Leadership"

11-15 November 2019

Talk on "How AI and Robotics Tech Enable Logistics and Manufacturing"

by Mr. Spencer Deng, Co-founder & CEO, Dorabot (11 November 2019)

Workshop on "Patent Awareness and How to Protect Your Invention"

by Dr Jakkrit Kuanpoth and Dr. Nattriya Supmoon (13 November 2019)

Talk on "Building a Maker (Breaker) Community"

by Dr. Adas Meskenas, Director of VGTU Creativity and Innovation Centre (14 November 2019)

Giant Prawn Conference

15-18 November 2019

Talk on "A New Technology: Diagnostics and Prevention of Diabetic Complications"

by Prof. Nai-Teng Yu, President and CEO, Yuscan USA, LLC (21 November 2019)

Poster Presentation Session by Bridging Program students

21 November 2019

Book Launch: "Infrastructure Financing in Asia"

25 November 2019

Global Engagements

Visit of “Education in Ireland”, together with representatives from University of Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology

4 November 2019

Delegation from Univerzitet Donja Gorica (UDG) led by Prof. Veselin Vukotic, Rector

6 November 2019

Delegation from Blue Source Capital Group (BSCG), World Chinese Medicine Health Fund Union (WCMF)

21 November 2019

Partnerships and Agreements (MoU/MoA)

Partnership Signing with LAARH Agro Industry Private Limited (Pakistan)

1 November 2019

Partnership with Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries (ZIFF), China

26 November 2019

Agreement with Dorabot Inc

27 November 2019

Coming Up

• 50th Anniversary of AIT-Japan Cooperation: 9 December 2019

• 132nd Graduation: 13 December 2019

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Credits

Editor: Bajinder Pal Singh bajinder@ait.ac.th

Photos:

Paitoon Tinnapong

Samphat Semathong

Contact: Office of Public Affairs opa@ait.ac.th

Table of Contents

AIT Alumni Association Philippine Chapter: Book Donation

AIT Inaugurates the Belt & Road Research Centre

Renowned Chinese Entrepreneur Wang Shi Delivers the Inaugural Distinguished Entrepreneur Talk

60th Anniversary Fundraising

Seminars, Workshops and Conferences

Global Engagements

Partnerships and Agreements

Coming Up

Download Link

Follow AIT

Credits