Copyright © 2018 Asian Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. POSTAL ADDRESS: STREET ADDRESS: P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang 58 Moo 9 Klong Nueng Pathumthani 12120 Km. 42 Paholyothin Highway Thailand Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 www.ait.ac.th Thailand COVER PHOTO Aung Thur Super Blue Blood Moon at AIT Clock Tower (31 January 2018) This Annual Report was compiled and produced by Karma Rana, Izel Ann Mojado-Dante, Namita Sravat, Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Shawn Kelly, Amalia Canullas, M Zia Islam and Sarina Pradhan Thapa with the technical and editorial support of the Office of Media and Communications (OMCO) and the involvement of all AIT employees. The report was edited by Dr Paul Bruthiaux (External Editor), and designed by Nadhika Mendhaka. AIT wishes to thank the many people who rendered their assistance in preparing this report. TABLE OF CONTENTS THE AIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE AIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 INSTITUTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 7 REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND RESPONSIBILITY CENTERS 19 Academic Affairs 21 Administration 33 Development 34 School of Engineering and Technology (SET) 36 School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) 37 School of Management (SOM) 38 AIT Extension 39 AIT Solutions 40 AIT Center in Vietnam (AITCV) 41 Office of Special Degree and Online Programs 42 Internet Education and Research Laboratory (intERLab) 43 Language Center 44 Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology 45 Regional Resource Center for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) 46 Geoinformatics Center (GIC) 47 AIT International School (AITIS) 48 AIT Assets 49 FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 50 Recognition of Faculty and Staff 50 Recognition of Students 51 Recognition of Alumni 53 CAMPUS REHABILITATION 56 AIT KEY FIGURES & TRENDS 57 Appendix 1: Financial Statement and Auditor’s Report 72 Appendix 2: Institute Administration 82 Appendix 3: Faculty Members 83 Appendix 4: Partnerships Agreements 2017 89 1 / AIT ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (AIT) BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairperson H.E. Mr. Khaga Nath Adhikari Prof. Bundhit Eua-arporn Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand President, Chulalongkorn University, H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan Thailand Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of H.E. Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Thailand Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart Pakistan to Thailand Rector, Thammasat University, Thailand Vice Chairpersons H.E. Mrs. Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon Dr. Suphat Champatong Ambassador of the Republic of the Secretary General, Office of the Higher Dr. John D. Nelson, Philippines to Thailand Education Commision Professor Emeritus, Colorado State H.E. Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne University, and Former CEO, Engineering Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand Observers Analytics, Inc., USA H.E. Mr. Nguyen Hai Bang H.E. Mr. Shiro Sadoshima Dr. Anat Abhabirama Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Ambassador of Japan to Thailand Chairman of Management Committee, Vietnam to Thailand Bangkok Mass Transit System Public H.E. Mr. Kjetil Paulsen Prof. Emeritus Dr. Sahas Bunditkul Company Limited, Thailand Ambassador of Norway to Thailand Chair of Executive Committee / Former Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul Deputy Prime Minister & Interim Minister H.E. Mr. Jesús Miguel Sanz Escorihuela Former Governor of the Bank of Thailand of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Ambassador and Head, Delegation of the European Union to Thailand Mr. Cao Shihai Board Members Deputy Secretary-General, China Scholarship Council, People’s Republic of H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem Ex-Officio Members China Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai Dr. Sumate Yamnoon H.E. Mr. Long Visalo President, AIT Former Secretary General, Office of the Ambassador of Cambodia to Thailand Higher Education Commission, Thailand Assoc. Prof. Somchet Thinaphong H.E. Ms. Donica Pottie President, AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) Ambassador of Canada to Thailand Mr. Noritada Morita Former Director of Asian Development H.E. Mr. Lyu Jian Bank (ADB) Ex-officio Participants Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Assoc. Prof. Kraiwood Kiattikomol China to Thailand Prof. Sivanappan Kumar Advisor, King Mongkut’s University of Vice President for Academic Affairs, AIT H.E. Mr. Gilles Garachon Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) Ambassador of France to Thailand Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto Dr. Bindu N. Lohani Vice President for Administration, AIT H.E. Mr. Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi Former Vice President, Asian Development Ambassador of India to Thailand Bank (ADB), Knowledge Management and Mr. Surendra Shrestha Sustainable Development Vice President for Development, AIT H.E. Mr. Ahmad Rusdi Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Dr. Za-Chieh Moh Prof. Mukand S. Babel to Thailand Chair of the Board, MAA Group Consulting Chair of Academic Senate, AIT Engineers H.E. Mr. Noh Kwang-il Prof. Pennung Warnitchai Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Prof. Ricardo P. Pama Faculty Representative, AIT Thailand Secretary General, Association of Mr. Wanchai Sophonsakulrat Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), H.E. Mr. Ly Bounkham Staff Representative, AIT Former AIT Vice President Ambassador of the Lao People’s Mr. Sudheer Yadav Democratic Republic to Thailand Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha President, Student Union, AIT Managing Director, Thai Pipe Co. Ltd. H.E. Dato’ Nazirah binti Hussain Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand / 2 AIT ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Executive Audit Committee Committee Chair Chair Prof. Emeritus Dr. Sahas Bunditkul Dr. Sumate Yamnoon Former Deputy Prime Minister, Interim Minister of Foreign Affairs Former Secretary-General, Office of the Higher Education of Thailand Commission of Thailand Vice-Chair Members H.E. Pradap Pibulsonggram Ambassador Pradap Pibulsonggram Former Ambassador of Thailand, Thailand Representative to the Former Ambassador of Thailand, Thailand Representative to the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee Mr. Robert James Kay Members Executive Vice-President, GMS Power Public Co., Ltd. Mr. Lee Pit Teong Trustees Chair of iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd. Mr. Cao Shihai Deputy Secretary-General, China Scholarship Council (CSC) Secretary Assoc. Prof. Kraiwood Kiattikomol Ms. Saowarot Buabok Advisor, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi AIT Internal Auditor (KMUTT) Dr. Sumate Yamnoon Former Secretary-General, Office of the Higher Education Commission of Thailand Non-Trustees Dr. Apichart Anukularmphai Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Robert James Kay Executive Vice-President, GMS Power Public Co., Ltd. Mr. Lee Pit Teong Chair of iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd. Prof. Karl E. Weber AIT Emeritus Professor and Former AIT Vice President Ex Officio Members H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan Chair of the Board, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai President, Asian Institute of Technology 3 / AIT ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE AIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES In 2013, I was called upon to take up the responsibilities as Chair of the Board of Trustees. This was at the height of a very difficult period for AIT, following the inundation of the cam- pus in 2011 followed by the serious governance crisis of 2012. Thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, which was put in charge of the execution of the AIT Enabling Act, the deadlock that paralyzed AIT was resolved by its declaration of the continued use of the original AIT Charter of 1967 (2510). It was primarily in that spirit that I accepted the daunting task of acting as Chair of the Board. Since then, the Board of Trustees has worked tirelessly to resolve the various remaining governance issues and has successfully put the Institute back on a stronger footing. I would especially like to commend the leadership of the AIT President, Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, for having systematically and successfully resolved the many administra- tive issues, especially the Institute's financial health and the deteriorating infrastructure of the campus. During his Presidency, AIT has gone through a major process of renaissance. After President Worsak informed the Board that he did not wish to seek a second term, the Board conducted a global search following which a new President was appointed and will take office from September 1, 2018. From this perspective, 2018 is going to be a year of transition from President Worsak to the incoming President. It is very important to ensure that the transition is a smooth one and that the new Administration consolidates and builds upon the good work carried out by President Worsak as we approach the Institute’s 60th an- niversary celebrations. On behalf of the AIT Board of Trustees, we sincerely thank President Worsak for his significant contributions to AIT. In conclusion, I wish to convey my gratitude to all members of the Board of Trustees, Execu- tive Committee, partners, alumni, and friends, who have rendered their full support to AIT and continue to reach out in different ways. Our tasks and responsibilities will continue as we share the same aim, which is to move forward for the betterment and brighter future of the Institute. Dr. Subin Pinkayan Chair Board of Trustees Asian Institute of Technology / 4 AIT ANNUAL REPORT 2017 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT I assumed the position of AIT President in July 2013, and in 2017, I announced to the Board of Trustees that I would not seek another term of office. In the remaining period until August 31, 2018, my last day in office, I intend to continue focusing my efforts on improving AIT’s govern- ance and ensuring that the Institute’s financial health is in a strong and stable position as we enter the transition to a new president. I am pleased to report that in 2017, the Institute recovered from its worst crisis and is now reasonably healthy. When I took office as Acting President and later as President in 2013, AIT was besieged with many burning issues, while we faced limited resources and a severe loss of trust from our stakeholders in general. Needless to say, in the aftermath of the floods, the AIT community faced one of its most challenging and trying periods.