Board of Trustees Meeting 30 November 2009 _Paper 2.1

Report of the President

(Period covering July to September 2009)

The last report covering the March to June 2009 period was presented at the 3 August 2009 Executive Committee Meeting

Executive Committee Meeting 2 November 2009 and Board of Trustees Meeting 30 November 2009

Report of AIT President Period Covering July 2009 – September 2009

Contents

1. Introduction 2-5

2. Financial Overview 5-6

3. Highlights of Initiatives and Activities 6-39

3.1 Promotional Trips 6-12 3.2 Key Partnerships and New Initiatives 12-15 3.3 Some of the Key Events 16-31 3.4 Recognition of AIT Faculty, Staff, Students and Alumni 31 3.5 Other News 32-38

4. Conclusion 38-39

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1. Introduction

This report provides a synthesis of some of the activities and initiatives undertaken by the Institute during the July 2009 to September 2009 period. The last report covering the March to June 2009 period was presented at the 3 August 2009 meeting of the Executive Committee.

Members of the AIT Community, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Institute- level Advisory Board, alumni as well as friends and partners of AIT partners have been kept regularly updated on the Institute’s activities and initiatives through my weekly letters.

Reports from the Vice Presidents as well as those from the School Deans, Director AIT Extension, Acting Director AIT Center in Vietnam, and Director AIT Center in Indonesia provides further detailed information on the various activities and initiatives that have been taken during the reporting period.

As recommended by the Executive Committee, and aside from the regular format of the reports, activities and initiatives under the various reports have also been highlighted under the four strategic themes of the “AIT Strategy 2013”, namely,

- Internationality as Regional Network Institute - Excellence and Relevance in Education Research and Outreach - Positioning and Branding - Development and Resources Management

We are also working in the development of standardized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for both the Institute and School-level.

On 8 September 2009, AIT celebrated its 50th anniversary, and as the Institute surpasses this historic milestone, it is both a time to take stock of our achievements as well as reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and how best we can position AIT for the coming 50 years or so. It is our goal to remain a strong and sustainable Institute that continues to work for the development of the Asian region and beyond.

AIT was for many years a pioneering regional institution, conceived 50 years ago with a noble mission of uplifting the people and countries of the region through capacity and institutional building initiatives. Many countries in Asia are experiencing tremendous economic development and growth and AIT is proud to have played a supporting role in such a wonderful Asian success story. Looking back on 50 years, this institution has done a good job — it can always be better — but it has done a very good job of living up to its ambition thanks to the vision, commitment, dedication and contribution of so many wonderful individuals who have helped shape AIT into what it is today.

From its modest beginnings in 1959, when the Institute started with its first offering in hydraulic engineering with 18 students, and 8 faculty members, it has always tried to maintain a balance between mission loyalty and adaptability to change. The dual themes of sustainability and capacity building go back to AIT’s founding in 1959 - with a vision to train and educate the leaders – “in Asia, for Asia” – needed to sustainably build Asia’s economies and modernize Asia’s nascent industries. Over the years, AIT has been very

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successful in its education, research and outreach that has transcended frontiers and through its successful work for development. The Ramon Magsaysay Award, which AIT won for Peace and International Understanding aptly states this fact “... for shaping a new generation of engineers and managers committed to Asia, in an atmosphere of academic excellence and regional camaraderie.”

Asia’s success has profoundly altered the issues of the day, and the challenges that AIT must tackle. In light of both the changing landscape of higher learning as well as priorities and funding structure / pattern of development partners active in the region, AIT is adapting itself in the form of imaginative interactions and partnership with both the public and private sectors. Ever changing scenarios oblige us to seek new forms of operations and new sources of support.

Professor Milton E. Bender Jr. first President of AIT back in 1964 already knew that “year-to-year direct grants by the various member countries could not continue indefinitely,” and suggested that the future of the Institute could be assured “by an endowment that would cover all costs except scholarships, which would be sought on an annual basis from governments, foundations, industry etc”. Given the change in the donor and higher learning landscape, it is apparent that AIT cannot sustain itself under the current business model from 1959, and therefore it is imperative that the Institute develops a new financial business model that can sustain it into the long term.

According to the findings of the emerging Asia study undertaken by the Centennial Group based in Washington, headed by a member of AIT’s Institute-level Advisory Board, in the next 20 years, 50 % of World GPD will be contributed by Asian countries, and 5 of the world's top 10 economies will be based in Asia. The study also focused on the changing economic demography of Asian countries and how these changes will be reflected in shaping the demands of human resources and skills for the future generation of students. From the study it is apparent that this will create a great demand for high quality education to be made available for a big population, and AIT will be drawing inferences from the study in better preparing and positioning itself for the future.

In this light, AIT also needs to start preparing and positioning itself not for the coming few years only but from a longer 20 to 25 year perspective. Looking back at the 50 years of history, AIT can be called a success story. But this does not automatically guarantee the same level of success into the future. AIT has changed little in terms of its fundamental product offering. Change is inevitable. In order to succeed in the changing environment, multiple strategic initiatives need to be launched based on the changing needs of the region, globalization of education, research and competition for attracting talented faculty / staff, students and research funding. Again, in the changing landscape of higher education and research and competition in a regional and global context, major challenges lie ahead for AIT, especially in ensuring its long-term financial stability. A university cannot expect to be all things to all people. It cannot excel in all areas of research, or offer all fields of study, or participate in all aspects of social endeavour. But it can excel in chosen areas of research, and offer top- quality education in a significant range of fields and make a valuable contribution to society. Efforts must be to better position AIT to deal effectively with external factors, to work for change when change is appropriate, and to create an environment that is flexible and responsive to a continuously changing world.

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All these factors highlight the need for a new strategy, especially in view of the change from direct to bilateral support, and future risk of decreased aid-based funding resources to both AIT and the region. With the shift to more bilateral funding, AIT will need to actively enhance its presence in the region through establishment of centers and branches, and at the same time strengthen its partnership with alumni especially in the public sector, in better positioning AIT in the national development plans and agenda, as a development arm or tool for partner countries. Economically developed countries are reducing aid as the countries in Asia cross the GDP threshold. Into the future it is likely that they will entirely leave, shifting their development focus to regions such as Africa and other parts of the world, or significantly reduce their level of support to the region which AIT currently serves. Developmental aid into the future will be increasingly provided by emerging economic powers of Asia such as: China, India, and some of the Middle-eastern countries etc. There has been an increase in the support by Asian countries to AIT over the recent past such as from Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc. which are becoming donors in their own right, which is also evidence of the growing maturity of the development process in Asia as Asian governments and other regional institutions assume a greater share of the region’s capacity building and infrastructural development costs. Into the long term future, AIT must continue to strengthen and capitalize on its uniqueness, and its capacity and agility to link together a wide range of international partners, collaborating together in research, teaching and development activities. AIT is among the small number of international universities that, in spite of their small size, has played an important role in the development of international competence and capacity. The great diversity of AIT faculty, staff, and students confer it the agility to be a pioneering force, exploring and providing activities in newly emerging areas of importance to Asia. Being an “Asian” Institute of Technology, there is a tremendous opportunity and need for more Asian partner countries to take a lead role, and AIT must increase its efforts in this direction, and take on a more proactive role in facilitating and further strengthening AIT’s position in this regard. Over the past four years of the current administration, and in light of the dire financial situation of the Institute at that time, drastic measures had to be taken in the areas of cost control, financial performance of the Institute, research capacity development with respect to both AIT and the region, development of internal structures to better support a flexible environment, strengthening of the quality of both administration processes and education / research outcomes, and launching of new entrepreneurial initiatives in addition to activities aiming at strengthening the fund raising to the ensure long-term financial stability of AIT. The picture that emerged at that time from the exercise was one of an institution that had not sufficiently responded to the increasing competition, changing funding sources and emerging markets in the region. AIT has successfully managed to steer itself back to a more financially strong position and even making strategic investments from the reserves it has gradually built up. The reduced income from donors have been to an extent balanced through finding new cooperation partners from the public and private sector and also through cutting costs at all levels, including salaries and emoluments for faculty and staff, and right-sizing exercise. The collective actions taken have been important given the risk of decreased aid-based funding resources and AIT’s lack of core support or funding and clear

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ownership – which has hampered long-term strategy in the past. Although AIT is no longer with a deficit, the situation is still very fragile. A new Charter which has recently been finalized will help further strengthen AIT’s role and engagement in important regional and international platforms. Greater efforts are also being made to increase AIT’s visibility in the region and beyond. Building on AIT’s core values, its capabilities in innovative teaching and learning, research and outreach, and a thorough analysis of emerging trends in the external environment for higher learning, the Institute has also developed a five-year strategic plan for 2009 to 2013 the “AIT Strategy 2013”.

In addition AIT is currently also launching an undergraduate degree program that will offer an International Bachelor of Engineering Degree at locations in Thailand, Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka. Such undergraduate programs will help strengthen the profile of AIT and also help bring in additional sources of revenue for the Institute. The undergraduate partnerships would be in certain niche areas or disciplines in which AIT is strong and also in a position to effectively capitalize and make use of its networks and linkages. Aside from the generation of additional revenues, undergraduate degree offerings would further strengthen the postgraduate education and research at AIT; which is also in line with AIT’s mission since the capacity of partner institutions would also be strengthened in the process.

While AIT is making efforts to develop new and innovative academic programs with its partners and also diversifying its revenue stream through more non-tuition based activities, given the competitive environment of higher learning, coupled with the continually shifting donor priorities, as well as reduced direct donor funding for institutions such as AIT, these challenges will only increase into the future. A successful institution of higher learning must be able to attract top students, international faculty and staff, and have world-class laboratories and facilities. On a more longer term perspective looking at 20 or 25 years down the line, an innovative model of partnership to sustain AIT’s operations, both from a financial point of view as well as towards ensuring that it can continue to provide an excellent academic environment for its faculty and students, must be explored, which will require significant investments.

The key is for all of us to understand and realize what is or what are the roles or roles of AIT in the new Asia and in the new world. The world has changed. Asia has changed and our role and function must radically change too. Our major challenge is how to face a number of significant new trends in the global environment. A successful business model, being competitive, having good and strong brand name and image, being successful, job satisfaction, are among many other important considerations. There is tremendous competition in the arena of higher learning, which will only increase into the future, and AIT has to accept such realities and better anticipate the coming challenges.

2. Financial Overview

The total operating results for nine-months of the three main operating units, namely Fund 10 (Academic/Administrative), Fund 21 (Support Operations) and Fund 24 (Integrated Facility Management) decreased from around 305 million Baht to 223 million Baht, which is a decrease of around 82 million Baht or 27% over the same period of last year. This is under what the Institute anticipates as the budget of 2009 has been approved

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with increase in expenditures in both normal operating expenditures and strategic investments for academic improvement, programs for institute promotions, adequate operating expenses especially schools after long implementation of tight cost-control so as to further enhance the academic quality. The net surplus forecast for 2009 has increased by around 10 million Baht or 22% to 54 million Baht compared to the original budget. This has resulted from an increase of AIT net surplus from revising of the expenditures down and offsetting it with the decrease in net surplus from AIT Vietnam (AITVN) due to the reclassification of training and academic programs to Fund 30 instead of Fund 21. The actual nine-month still reflects all AITVN activities in Fund 21. After the outsourcing of infrastructure units and cost centers, for example staff housing, student accommodation, AIT Conference Center facilities etc. to Sodexo, these units are now represented under a new Fund, namely the “Integrated Facility Management Fund”.

The full financial report is available under Paper 2.2: FY 2009: 9-Months Report (January – September 2009)

3. Highlights of Initiatives and Activities

3.1 Promotional Trips

° Nepal: I travelled to Nepal on two occasions, 5-7 July, and 14-19 July, both on personal leave. Although I was on personal leave. I had an opportunity to meet and interact with many of our alumni and also official meetings. The alumni helped facilitate a meeting with H.E. Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Prime Minister of Nepal on 6 July; and arranged a brainstorming meeting with some of our key alumni on 18 July, in exploring ways and means through which we could further strengthen the AIT-Nepal collaboration.

The Prime Minister informed us that he was aware of AIT’s contribution to the development of Nepal and assured us of his full support in any initiatives planned in the country, in particular the establishment of an AIT Center in Nepal. I also took the opportunity to brief the Prime Minister on the progress of AIT’s new Charter, invitation for Nepal to become one of the founding signatories, and also highlighted aspects of the “AIT Strategy 2013” and some of our recent activities and initiatives.

° Board Chairman Led Visit to Indonesia: I travelled to Indonesia with H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, during 27-29 July 2009. The outcomes of our visit are highlighted below.

- We arrived in Jakarta on 27 July and were received by Ms. Pantana Prakobchat, Second Secretary, Royal Thai Embassy in Indonesia. H.E. L. T. Akrasid Amatyakul, Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia, hosted lunch for us, and we were also joined by Mr. Chombhala Chareonying, Minister, from the Embassy along with Ms. Pantana.

- Meeting with Foreign Minister: The same day we met with H.E. Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. Ambassador Amatyakul also joined the meeting, and

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from the Indonesian side, Mr. Teuku Faizasyah, Chief of Staff and Spokesman and Mr. Y. Kristiarto S. Elogowo, Director for East Asia and Pacific Affairs participated. H.E. Dr. Tej knew and had interacted with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, during his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they both shared a very good rapport.

H.E. Dr. Tej informed the Minister of AIT’s new Charter, background on the rationale and process that was involved, importance of ASEAN member countries in forming the core of the new members, and in this context the importance for AIT to have on board Indonesia, which is the largest ASEAN country, as one of the founding members.

The Foreign Minister reacted very positively, reaffirming the need for regional institutions like AIT, and acknowledged AIT’s role for Indonesia, and in this context mentioned about Indonesia’ active role in promoting South-South Cooperation, as part of which AIT could also play an important role. The Minister assured us that Indonesia will consider becoming part of the new AIT Charter, and invited us to put forward our expectations and how we would like the Indonesian Government to assist or help AIT.

- Meeting with Azerbaijan Ambassador: I had a separate meeting with H.E. Ibrahim A. Hajiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Indonesia. He has offered to recommend to the Azerbaijan Government for them to become a member of AIT’s new AIT Charter.

- Visit to PT DAMBA INTRA’s integrated hazardous waste treatment plant: Dr. Nico Barito, member of AIT’s Institute-level Advisory Board and also AITCI Advisory Board helped arrange a visit for us to PT DAMBA INTRA’s integrated hazardous waste treatment plant. AIT has a signed a MoU with PT DAMBA INTRA under a ‘Sustainable Development Partnership Initiative’ and to this end AIT will be partnering with PT DAMBA INTRA in its waste treatment capacity building program. PT DAMBA INTRA is a public private enterprise which has over the last 10 years been providing hazardous waste treatment for 40 major textile and food industries within the southern regency of Bandung. They are now inviting AIT to assist them in upgrading their facility by helping organize capacity building programs and courses for the textile industries in the West Java Province which is considered as the textile capital of Indonesia. DAMBA INTRA has also been representing the West Java Province as Co-Chair for The Network of Regional Governments’ for Sustainable Development, a global network of sub-national government, since 2002. Our School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) and AIT Extension will be requested to follow-up on the details of this partnership.

- Meeting with Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani (UNJANI): Recently PT DAMBA INTRA and the Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani (UNJANI) owned by the Army Foundation of Indonesia, has entered into strategic partnership to develop new centers for treatment plant both for solid and liquid waste for industrial zone and community. In this context, we also met the Vice Rector of UNJANI Professor Sumargo, who was joined by some of

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the Deans and students. UNJANI was founded in 1990 and focuses on undergraduate education in the fields of engineering, science, medicine and economics and has a student body of around 6,000 and 300 faculty members. They also have students from Timor Leste and will getting a large number of Somali students from this year. They are interested in partnering with AIT and plan to visit us in the near future.

In conjunction to our visit to the PT DAMBA INTRA project site there was a press conference with reporters from Bandung, West Java and also from Kompas, which is a national newspaper.

- Visit to AIT Center Indonesia (AITCI) – We then visited the AITCI where we were received by Dr. Sugimin Pranoto, Director of AITCI and colleagues. We made a tour of the Center and were briefed on the activities of the Center.

- Courtesy Call on Governor of West Java: We then paid a visit to the Governor of West Java Mr. Ahmad Heryawan. H.E. Dr. Tej informed the Governor of the background of our visit to Indonesia and I took the opportunity to brief the Governor in more detail about the activities of AIT.

The Governor was very much impressed by the work being done by AIT alumni from Indonesia and welcomed the role of AIT in providing capacity building programs in the West Java province, especially in the training of trainers, in areas related to enhancing the competitiveness of the business sector of West Java, and emphasized the importance of capacity building programs for SMEs and on entrepreneurship. The Governor is keen to pay a visit to AIT in order to discuss in more detail some of these issues.

- Visit to Kota Baru Parahyangan: The same day we visited Kota Baru Parahyangan located in the outskirts of Bandung, which is a self-contained city, and first such project in Bandung, which will include all municipal facilities and functions. We were hosted lunch by Mr. Sunusi Tanawi, President Director of the project, and also toured around the premises, which has a total area of 1,200 hectares. They have extended an invitation to AIT to consider opening a campus on their premises, and have very advanced facilities for teaching, accommodation, and hosting conferences etc.

- Dinner hosted by Board Chairman: H.E. Dr. Tej hosted a dinner in the evening of 28 July, which was attended by Dr. Fasli Djalal, SpGK Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of National Education (Representative of the Minister of National Education), Mr. Nico Barito, Ms. Junita, and Dr. Sugimin Pranoto.

° Participation in SEAMEO RETRAC 12th Governing Board Meeting and International Conference”: During 10-12 August, I participated in the “International Conference on Branding in Higher Education: Practices and Lessons Learned from Global Perspective” which was organized by the Ministry of Education and Training-Vietnam (MOET), SEAMEO RETRAC & Nha Trang University (NTU).

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I was invited as a plenary speaker to the conference, and also had an opportunity to meet and interact with H.E. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education and Training, Vietnam, who was one of plenary speakers as well.

AIT colleagues Professor Peter Haddawy, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Evangelos Afendras, Director of the AIT Center for Learning Innovation and Quality (CLIQ), also participated, with presentations on topics related to “Research Performance Measurement Network: An Asia-Pacific Research Quality Initiative” and “Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education” respectively, while Dr. Amrit Bart, Director AIT in Vietnam and myself chaired a session.

I would like to thank our Executive Committee member Dr. Do Huy Thinh, Director of SEAMEO RETRAC, for having kindly invited me and my colleagues, to this important event.

° Board Chairman led Visit to The Republic of Korea, 21–22 August 2009: H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees and I travelled to Seoul late night on Thursday, 20 August 2009. We arrived in Seoul in the morning of Friday, 21 August, and were received at the airport by H.E. Mr. Theerakun Niyom, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea and Mr. Narat Vidyananda, First Secretary.

We met with Mr. Sul Kyung-hoon, Director General of Development Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. He was joined by Mr. Kang Yong Koo, Second Secretary, Development Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms. Tasanawadee Miancharoen, Minister and Mr. Narat Vidyananda, First Secretary from the Royal Thai Embassy, joined the AIT delegation.

H.E. Dr. Tej provided the background and purpose of our visit, highlighting the fact that the Korea-AIT collaboration started back in the mid 70’s and was formalized in 1981, through a formal memorandum of understanding. He emphasized the important role played by AIT over the past 50 years, for the Asian region and beyond, citing AIT’s efforts in post-conflict countries like Afghanistan, and more recently in Africa as well. Korea, through KOICA, KIST, KAIST, and K-Water, and other similar institutions, have developed close partnerships with AIT, and in this context, H.E. Dr. Tej, cited the importance and need for Asian countries to be among the core stakeholders of AIT. He also extended an invitation for the Government of Korea to become a signatory to the new AIT Charter once it is formally adopted. The Chairman thanked the Director General for the contributions made by the Government of Korea to AIT and through AIT to the region, and for its active role in the processing of the new AIT Charter.

The Director General informed us that instead of collaboration in the education sector through the provision of scholarships and faculty secondments, the Korean Government’s priorities would be more in the areas of designing and implementation of development projects. He also mentioned that a number of

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institutions and organizations also have ambitions to attain international organization status citing the example of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), an International Organization, which was established at the initiative of UNDP under the Vienna Convention of 1969 with the signatures so far of 40 countries and the World Health Organization. The Director General also referred to the emphasis placed by the government for there to be greater partnership with the private sector in the education sector for Korea.

From the discussions, it was apparent, that we need to put greater efforts in making AIT and its work better known within the Ministry and other government related agencies. In relation to the new AIT Charter, I also thanked the Director General for Korea’s active role and support in the process.

During our visit we also met with Ambassador Jee-Joon Yoon, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand and former AIT Trustee, who is currently engaged in part-time teaching at a nearby university, in the field of international relations and terrorism. He is also willing to contribute to teaching at AIT, and advised that AIT keep the authorities in Seoul updated on the Institute’s activities, in particular those in Africa, given Korea’s active interest and engagement there.

° Participation in Symposium and Expert Meeting, Japan: During 17-18 September, I participated in the Chubu University, Japan organized symposium and expert meeting on the project entitled “Leadership for Environment and Development: Participatory Curriculum Development Network between the NGO and University”, which they are undertaking supported by the Ministry of Environment, Government of Japan.

I made a presentation on the topic “International Curriculum Development in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Asian Context”. In addition to the Japanese participants, overseas delegates included representatives from TERI and TERI University, IIT Mumbai, Pune University, East China Normal University etc. From LEAD: Leadership for Environment and Development that has 13 programs around the world, many of the National Regional/Program Directors also attended.

The purpose of the symposium was to exchange views on the effectiveness of fieldwork in promoting ESD and to demonstrate the use of multimedia browser containing learning modules based on fieldwork in various parts of the world. Under the program, NGOs will handle field research and contacting the local community and the university will provide scientific knowledge. Through this role sharing, this program aims to build and carry out environment and development related curriculum modules. The project is characterized by consolidation of fieldworks carried out in collaboration with the NGOs and online course provided by the IT infrastructure.

Chubu University will be taking the lead in the development of joint programs with institutions like AIT, TERI etc. LEAD has also worked and partnered with AIT in several initiatives and there is even greater potential to work with them, and other partners, in particular in the African context.

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Professor Kimio Uno, the main proponent of this initiative from Chubu University, is a close friend of AIT, and I was able to make a lot of useful contacts for AIT during my interactions with the other participants.

° Visit to Sri Lanka: On 14 September, I together with Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe Director Fundraising Campaign met with H.E. Mr. Basil Rajapakse MP, Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka, who is in charge of the development of the North and Eastern part of Sri Lanka, in Colombo. This very high-level meeting was made possible due to the efforts and constant follow up by the Honorable Mr. Gitanjana Gunawardene, Minister for Housing and Common Amenities, Sri Lanka, together with close coordination by Mr. Jayasinghe. Our visit has resulted in AIT getting Sri Lankan Government approval for AIT faculty experts in the fisheries sector to work closely together with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and various line agencies responsible for the livelihood development of the North / Eastern part of Sri Lanka. A one day workshop and field visit will now be conducted in order to discuss jointly the role AIT can play towards the technical implementation and training of the products identified by the Government to be developed in this region. H.E. Mr. Rajapakse informed us that what is urgently needed is for AIT together with the local counterparts based on the considerable work already done by the government in terms of needs assessment of this region for the fisheries sector livelihood development, to come up with a joint implementation plan to develop the following products in this part, namely the cultivation of: seaweed farming; oyster cultivation; sea cucumbers, and cage culture of sea bass.

H.E. Basil Rajapakse has advised the Honorable Minister, and the Honorable Deputy Minister of Fisheries to inform the Secretary of the Fisheries Ministry to arrange the joint implementation meeting as well as site visits for the AIT experts. The meetings will take place from 28-30 September 2009, in Colombo. The AIT team will be led by Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, AIT Vice President for Resource Development and will be coordinated by Mr. Jayasinghe.

I also took the opportunity to brief H.E. Mr. Basil of AIT’s new Charter and have put forward the request for the Sri Lankan Government to become one of the signatories of the Charter which has been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka through AIT trustee, H.E. Prof J.B. Dissanayake, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand. H.E. Mr. Basil supports and approves of the Sri Lankan Government becoming a signatory to the new Charter, and informed us that he will personally request the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister to expedite the process and inform Ambassador Dissanayake accordingly. The Honorable Minister of Housing Mr Gitanjana Gunawardene, who was also present at the meeting, informed H.E. Mr. Basil that in the near future it would benefit Sri Lanka if AIT has a permanent centre in Colombo which is backed by the Sri Lankan Government focusing on specific needs that are important for the government’s national plan of development. I am happy to state that H.E. Mr. Basil was positive towards this request and informed us that once the Charter is signed, to submit a brief concept note on the proposed AIT center, and that he would endorse and support the plan.

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I also had a separate meeting with Honorable Gitanjana to discuss the implementation plans on the recently signed MOU between AIT and the Centre for Housing Planning and Building (CHPB), Ministry of Housing and Common Amenities, to jointly build and transfer cost effective and environmentally friendly technology in providing affordable housing for those affected by cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in partnership with the AIT Habitech Centre. The Honorable Minister together with his engineers plans to visit AIT and also Myanmar to discuss with their counterpart in Myanmar, as well as visit those agencies jointly with AIT who are funding the building of schools and houses in post Nargis areas to see the possibility of AIT and CHPB jointly submitting proposals for large projects in this sector.

3.2 Key Partnerships / New Initiatives

° Recognition of 3R Knowledge Hub: Professor C. Visvanathan, the AIT Coordinator of the 3R Knowledge Hub, (3RKH) which is an initiative supported by the Asian Development Bank and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, participated in the Preparatory meeting for the Inaugural Conference on the Regional 3R Forum in Asia, held in Japan, during 29-30 June 2009, and represented the 3R KH. The Ministry of the Environment, Japan has taken the leadership under the 3R Initiative to setup a Regional 3R Forum in Asia with 18 member countries and a number of regional organizations, and multilateral agencies etc. The Forum aims to foster regional cooperation to move towards a sound material-cycle society. The Regional Forum has endorsed 3R Knowledge Hub as its knowledge management arm which appears in the declaration to be adopted by all Parties, which is a milestone achievement for AIT in promoting 3R in the region through the 3R Knowledge Hub.

AIT also received a communication from the Embassy of Belgium, for the “Healthcare Waste in Asia” report prepared within the framework of the3R Knowledge Hub of AIT. The communiqué notes that the “the concept of this report about healthcare waste in Asia is exactly the model of first hand information our trade commission has always expected to find while screening Asian countries and target markets for our Belgian companies considering to move onto the global place with their expertise and technologies for the treatment of medical waste”.

° Thai Network Information Center Foundation (THNIC) to support Chair Professorship at AIT: Professor Gotham Arya, Chairperson of the THNIC, who is also the former Registrar at AIT, sent a formal communication to AIT, informing that THNIC is glad to support Professor Kanchana Kanchanasut, Director of AIT’s intERLab, as THNIC Chair Professor of Internet Technology at AIT.

° Sri Lanka Ministry of Education. AIT signed a MoU with the Ministry of Education Sri Lanka, for the implementation of a series of professional development and empowerment programmes (“PDEP”) for Ministry officials. The courses, to be funded by the Secondary Education Modernization Program

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II (SEMP II) will address the needs of school supervisors to be trained in the facilitation of key processes, including School Based Assessment (SBA), School Planning Leadership and School Improvement (PSI), Modern Teaching Learning Methodologies, Teaching Learning Resources Preparation and Use, and Information Communication Technology (ICTs). The first two-week course under this latest collaboration between AIT Extension and SEMP on Facilitation of School-based Assessment Implementation was held in July, with 27 participants.

° AIT Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology: Professor Samy El-Shall, Director, Ras Al Khaimah Center for Advanced Materials (RAK-CAM), Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), has offered Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi Graduate Research Fellowships, named after Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the fourth son of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, for Ph.D. students to work at the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology at AIT from the fall of 2009. RAK-CAM will make an unrestricted gift of $120,000.

° Wetlands Alliance and Swedish Collaboration: The Wetlands Alliance successfully completed its establishment phase at the end of June 2009, and is now moving into an implementation phase, initially supported by Sida from July 2009 to December 2011.

In reviewing the progress of the Alliance the partners involved are very positive to this type of initiative. With over 40 active partners in four countries the Alliance is building capacity of local level development agencies (government and NGO). The Alliance will engage with AIT not only through the outreach work by faculty, staff and students but also in other ways. The “Yunus Center at AIT” will be engaged by the Alliance in a number of ways addressing poverty through education, micro-credit and monitoring of impact on poverty. The AIT- Sida Scholarship cooperation "Higher Education for Poverty Alleviation", will partner with the Alliance to identify and recruit candidates for Master’s and Doctoral programmes in a new approach to enhance capacity to address poverty in the region.

The AIT-Sida cooperation on "Higher Education for Poverty Alleviation" started with admitting students for the August 2009 intake. The programme will continue until the end of 2012 and is a new initiative by AIT to try to directly impact on poverty through targeted recruitment of professionals engaged in poverty alleviation work focusing on rural areas. This initiative is using a new approach to student recruitment and will offer a number of ways to support students before, during and after studies at AIT and is expected to provide experience for AIT in how to target poverty in a measurable and direct way.

° Grant from the Ford Foundation: Professor Ganesh Shivakoti, AIT faculty from the School of Environment, Resources and Development, received a grant worth 360,000 US Dollars, from The Ford Foundation, for tie-off support for developing the curriculum for a Masters Degree Program in Natural Resource Management at Hanoi University of Agriculture and Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, in Vietnam.

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° AIT signs MoU on Royal Thai Government (RTG) Projects worth 19 Million Baht: 16 projects worth 19 million Baht under the Joint Research Project of the Royal Thai Government (RTG) were officially launched this year. A formal signing agreement was held with partners from 10 university and 3 research institutes of Thailand. All of them are researchers in various fields, who are going to join hands with AIT through AIT faculty members to undertake research projects funded by the Government of Thailand. The official signing ceremony took place at AIT, which was also attended by Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice-President for Resource Development, along with some of the AIT faculty colleagues who are involved as Principal Investigators and staff from the RTG Office.

This Program aims to develop the potential of Thai researchers at the country’s leading research institutes. It program started in 2002, with an initial budget of 15 million Baht, involving 16 universities in the first year. The Selection Committee has selected 20 best projects out of the proposed 50 proposals. In addition to these 16 projects, there are 4 projects proposed by the private sector to collaborate with AIT. The Institute is most grateful to the Royal Thai Government for its continued and strong support to AIT.

AIT signs MOU on RTG projects worth 19 Million Baht

° Central Asian Countries Support new AIT Charter: AIT has received formal letters from the Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, and the Chairman of the State Committee for Nature Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan, expressing their respective country’s strong support for AIT’s new Charter, indicating that they would like to become signatories. In the communication, they cite the important role AIT has played in their respective country’s capacity building efforts and value the Institute’s 50 years of dedicated service to the region and beyond. The new AIT Charter will open up opportunities for countries and international organizations, not currently on AIT’s Board, to also become signatories and have representation on the new Council, and we value and welcome this interest on the part of our Central Asia partners, with whom AIT has close collaborations, especially through our joint AIT-UNEP.RRC.AP office.

° Partnership with the Government of the Philippines: Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, Republic of the Philippines, has sent a formal communication to AIT, expressing the keen interest of the Philippines to collaborate with AIT and in exploring the possibility of establishing an extension campus in the Philippines. Professor Ricardo P Pama, former AIT Vice President Professor, who also serves as Advisor to the Office of the President in the Philippines, has been actively supporting AIT in this undertaking. Professor Pama has been authorized by the Commission on Higher Education to discuss the details of such an undertaking with AIT. Through Professor Pama, we have learned that the Government of Philippines will also sign the new AIT Charter.

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° Two AIT 48 credits Masters Fellowship from the AITAA Malaysia Chapter: The AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) Malaysia Chapter lead by Mr. Kee Book Hee Chairman of the AITAA Malaysia Chapter Fundraising Committee, and former Chapter President, contributed Thai Baht 1,344,000 for two AIT 48 credits Masters Fellowships, limited to covering the full tuition fees only. Initially the AITAA Malaysia Chapter designated committee has decided that one of the 48 credit fellowships should be given to SERD, specifically for the Environmental Engineering Management field of study with the second to be allocated at the discretion of AIT.

° MoU and MoA signing ceremony with Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR): On 8 September, as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration AIT signed a MoU and MoA with Rector Dr. Cecilia Lauw of the Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR). UNPAR is a private Catholic university founded in 1955 by the Bishop of Bandung and Bishop of Bogor, as a response to the demand for improving capacity of Indonesian young generation, especially in the West Java Province.

The purpose of these agreements are to enable cooperation between AIT and UNPAR in order to form a strategic partnership between them through academic, research, training, and other related activities. The immediate implementation of the MoU is through a joint project “Optimization of Water Allocation between Offstream and Instream Competing Demands” approved by UNESCO-IHE Partnership Research Fund (UPaRF).

° Meeting with the new Delegate for Asia and the Pacific of Télécoms Sans Frontières - TSF, based at AIT: On 11 September, I met with Mr. Oisin Walton, Delegate for Asia and the Pacific of Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF).

TSF is a leading French international NGO in emergency telecommunications, which has chosen AIT for its regional Asian and Pacific activities since January 2004. Their teams can be deployed 24/7, they are operating in nearly 60 countries with the support and coordination of UN and the European Commission (ECHO).I have suggested that Mr Walton make a presentation of TSF activities in order to identify potential synergies with AIT students, faculty and staff. Mr. Walton also expressed great interest in AIT CSR developments. TSF and its staff are located in the AIT Outreach Building.

° Partnership Agreement with the Amata Group: On 16 September, AIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Amata Corporation Public Company Limited aimed at furthering cooperation between AIT and Amata, which will entail the conducting of a feasibility study for the setting up of an international educational hub for undergraduate and /or postgraduate programs in Amata Nakorn including related activities and services as may be mutually agreed upon by both parties. Amata is a company with its principal business in industrial estate establishment and is moving towards creating a city concept under the “Amata Science City” banner. Today, Amata has a total of three industrial estates located in Thailand and Vietnam, which houses several worldwide renowned multinational manufacturing companies.

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3.3 Some of the Key Events

° Special Lecture by Prof Asit K Biswas: Professor Asit K Biswas, President of Third World Centre for Water Management, Mexico delivered a special lecture on the topic “Changing Water Management Landscape in Asia” at AIT on 10 July. During his lecture Professor Biswas remarked that most current paradigms used for water management are erroneous and will be obsolete within the next decade. Seemingly unrelated issues like globalization, free trade, energy security, HIV/AIDS and immigration will impact water issues. “Water problems of the future are solvable using existing technologies” he stated.

° Brainstorming on Establishment of “Water Center at AIT”: I participated in the brainstorming session on establishing a "Water Center at AIT" on 12 September at AIT. The meeting was attended by Professor Asit K. Biswas, President and Academician and Professor Cecilia Tortajada, from the Third World Centre for Water Management in Mexico; AIT alumnus Professor Seetharam Kallidaikurichi E. from the Institute of Water Policy (IWP), National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore; Professor Ashim Das Gupta, former Professor, WEM/SET; and AIT colleagues.

The meeting discussed at length the need, roles and functions of such a center of multi- and inter-disciplinary nature to address complex water problems in the region and beyond. The proposed center will be unique if it emphasizes on areas such as water security, water and food security, water and energy, water and ecosystems, impacts of Asian urbanization and bio-fuel production on water management etc. not currently covered by other institutions. There was a general consensus on the need of a water center at AIT which can provide unique opportunity to serve the region in conducting application oriented research and development, offering short courses etc. and even academic program as it grows. Prof. Biswas, Professor Tortajada and Prof. Seetharam have all kindly expressed their willingness to extend all possible assistance in this endeavor.

° AIT Team Invited to Informal Dinner Meeting with Deputy PM, Timor Leste: The AIT Vice President for Resource Development Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai represented AIT along with an AIT delegation at the dinner meeting on 24 July, at the Amari Atrium Hotel with H.E. Jose Luis Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor Leste. The dinner meeting was hosted by H.E. Joao Freitas de Camara, Ambassador of Timor Leste to Thailand. The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by H.E. Mr. Francisco Geronimo, Member of Parliament, H.E. Mr. Francisco de Araujo, Member of Parliament, H.E. Ms. Tereza de Carvalho, Member of Parliament, and H.E. Mr. Mateus de Jesus, Member of Parliament.

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Guterres reiterated that the government of Timor Leste is committed fully towards embracing wide educational reforms in order to develop and capacitate its young population being one of the youngest nations in the world. His Excellency expressed the important role AIT can play in the HRD capacity building needs of the Timor Leste Universities and help develop a comprehensive proposal for not only postgraduate training but also short term technical skills training as well. Timor Leste has a population of around 1.1

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million people out of which 400,000 are students, and this high concentration of student population is due to the fact that that around 60 per cent of the population is between the ages of 15-25. The Deputy Prime Minister informed the AIT delegation about the high importance the government has placed on education which forms an integral part of the development of the country.

Prof Worsak provided a brief introduction on AIT, its mission and vision and emphasized the willingness on the part of AIT to play a role in the development of Timor Leste’s human resources capacity building, as well, as in providing technical training in the fields of agriculture and fisheries, which are the dominant livelihoods of the Timor Leste peoples. Professor Worsak also informed the Deputy Prime Minister and delegates of my meeting with H.E. Prof Jose Ramos Horta, President of Timor Leste, in January of this year and that he had extended an invitation for AIT to visit Timor Leste, in conducting a needs assessment study. The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed this initiative and confirmed that his office will be more than happy to arrange this visit at a time convenient to the AIT experts who will undertake this mission, and informed the AIT delegation to coordinate with Ambassador Joao Freitas who will get in touch with the Deputy prime Minister and make all the necessary arrangements.

In June 2009, AIT sent a preparatory mission to Timor Leste which was led by Dr Theo Ebbers and also included Mr. William Wallace Murray, who was appointed as Consultant for this mission. The purpose of the brief scoping mission was to help AIT in preparing a theme for the proposed official mission to Timor Leste later this year. The mission identified needs and areas for potential collaboration for AIT. More than 20 research interviews were conducted with subject matter experts in Timor Leste, and the standout barrier to development in Timor Leste is a lack of human resources capacity in education and government. The consensus of the experts is that the most effective means to support sustainable development in Timor Leste is through raising the capacity of the nation’s teachers and governmental staff through higher education and professional development programs.

The Universidad Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), and the Ministry of Environment (MoE) represent the most effective impact pathways by which to build the capacity of education and human resources in Timor Leste. Specific Interventions could include:

- Support UNTL faculty to earn MSci Degrees at AIT - Encourage joint research activities with UNTL core ministries and line agencies - Support MAF and MoE staff to earn MSci Degrees at AIT - Promote joint venture professional education programs that focus on practical, rural development activities in the agriculture, fisheries, environment and infrastructure development sectors.

Timor Leste provides an opportunity for AIT to utilize a number of its core competencies in education, applied research, and professional education to help shape the future of one of the world’s newest nations. It is important that the development of AIT support programmes focus on innovative, development-

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oriented outreach activities in education and research.

° Visit of RIMES Delegation, Maldives, On 24 July, I met with Mr. Ali Shareef, Deputy Director General, Maldives Meteorological Services (MMS), Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early Warning of System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) Secretariat, Mr. Abdul Gadeer Assistant Director of MMS, and Mr. A R Subbiah, Director, Climate Risk Management, ADPC and Director EWS Program of RIMES together.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss partnership opportunities between AIT and RIMES. We agreed in principle to developing a general Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the details and the specification of the technical support between our two institutes will be agreed on separate Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). We also discussed having separate joint center at AIT between AIT and RIMES. RIMES could provide support for faculty and student research in the areas of weather as climate forecast application for managing disaster risks, climate change modeling and adaptation, integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation, earthquake risk assessment, tsunami risk assessment and tsunami modeling. AIT will take a lead role in scientific and technical research and provide scientific and technical support in the operations of the RIMES regional facility. I proposed the launching of professional master programs under the joint center to fulfill the needs and requirement of the region especially through the Multi Hazard Approaches.

Mr. Ali Shareef requested AIT for training, education and help in capacity building in Maldives, particularly in the area of earthquake science and seismology. RIMES regional Facility is located at AIT and was established by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) through a project funded by the UNESCAP-administered Tsunami Regional Trust Fund. Dr. Pennung was the focal point from AIT side and Mr. Subbiah from ADPC. This Project is ending on 31st July 2009, and beginning 1 August 2009, RIMES will take full ownership of and operate the regional facility. The RIMES secretariat is in Maldives at the Maldives Meteorological Services.

The RIMES Regional Facility is now an inter-governmental, international, non- profit organization, with a mandate to provide regional early warning services, and build capacity of its Member Countries in the early warning of tsunami and other natural hazards. It was initially developed under a project of ADPC funded by UNESCAP and Danida. But now it has already been transformed into an inter- governmental organization since April this year. RIMES is owned and financially supported by member states.

° Meeting with Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural resources and Environment (MONRE), Thailand: On 22 July 2009 we had a meeting at the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural resources and Environment (MONRE) to discuss important issues related to concrete and closer collaboration between AIT and DWR/MONRE. Dr. Siriporn Hungspreug, Director General of DWR represented the Ministry together with Mr. Suphot Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Director General of DWR, Mr. Nirut Koonphol, Director of Information Technology Center at DWR, Ms. Kobkul Rungsijaroj,

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Policy and Plan Analyst – Senior Professional and Ms. Sukontha Aekaraj, International Cooperation Division at DWR.

° The Intensive Program on Sustainability (IPoS): The Intensive Program on Sustainability (IPoS) which is a short-term course to cultivate ideas and leverage toward sustainability in Asian context, was organized by the University of Tokyo and AIT, and is supported by the Alliance for Global Sustainability (AGS), and the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S). The IPoS has been conducted over four consecutive years since 2004 in Thailand and Japan. This year the IPoS2009 was held in Rayong, during 1-12 August 2009, with an underlining theme of “Food, Energy and Water”. In this workshop, participants are provided with a series of academically-stimulated and culturally-charged events, including keynote lectures, modules, group work, field visits, excursions, cultural night and students’ presentations.

° Informal Graduation Ceremony: An informal graduation ceremony was held on 4 August 2009, for students who graduated in the Intersem 2009.

° Certificate Awarding Ceremony, Public Management Executive Development Program for Ministry of Interior, Thailand: On 7 August 2009, I presented certificates and also delivered a keynote address, on the occasion of the certificate awarding ceremony for participants from the Ministry of Interior of Thailand, who participated in the Public Management Executive Development (PMED) Program. There were a total of 30 Vice Governors from all over Thailand and 1 Deputy Director General who participated. AIT is honoured and proud to have had the opportunity to host such this program for such high-level officials from the Royal Thai Government, and we are delighted by the very positive feedback which we have received from them on the quality of the program. Given the successful manner in which it was conducted, we are confident that this program will continue into the future.

° AIT Joins International Consortium for Low Carbon Society (ICLCS)” Among the initiatives to further strengthen AIT’s thematic knowledge area of “Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change”, AIT joined an International Consortium for Low Carbon Society (ICLCS) held in Hayama, Japan during 26-27 June 2009, which was first convened during the International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP) 2009. The other members of the consortium include Stony Brook University and the State University of New York, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Hayama, Japan, Geneva University, Switzerland, Imperial College, London, The Energy and Environment Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India, Peking University, Tongji University, China, etc.

° World Observatory for Agriculture: The French Centre for Research in Agriculture in Developing Countries plans to set a “World Observatory for Agriculture” with partners from all over the world. They are in the process of building the executive secretariat which may be hosted by FAO (Rome) and CIRAD (Montpellier). CIRAD with its longstanding research relationships with AIT would like us to join them in this effort. The initial activity in this region will include support for some students for their study at AIT.

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° Africa: A team from AIT went on a follow up fact finding mission during 3-6 August, 2009, for possible distance education for university faculty in Ethiopia. The meetings were facilitated by the Education Capacity Building Program (ECBP) of the Government of Ethiopia and GTZ. The AIT team met with the Minister of State of Education responsible for Higher Education H.E. Dr. Adhana Haile. The Minister requested for a proposal which would include distance education, conventional face to face education, sandwich and integrated programs. The Minister indicated that the Ethiopian government is keen to upgrade the academic qualifications of faculty of the nine existing universities and 13 new universities in various stages of development. He indicated that as the number of faculty who will need a higher degree is high they are focusing on distant education and exploring the possibility of working with a number of universities besides the Indian Institute of technology (IIT) Delhi who have already started in a few streams. Various alternate hybrid methods of distance education including the VClass platform were discussed.

° Visit of Mr. Jeremy Bird, CEO of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat: On 13 August, Mr. Jeremy Bird, CEO of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat visited AIT to discuss possible areas of collaboration with AIT. Mr. Jeremy Bird was given a briefing on some of AIT’s new initiatives such as the “Yunus Center at AIT”, the undergraduate, unified and professional programs, the new thematic areas focusing on sustainable development in the context of climate change, etc. Mr. Bird was also briefed on the ongoing activities being conducted by the AIT Extension, GMSARN and the Water Resources Management Field of Study which are relevant to the focus of MRC, an example of which is the ‘E-Learning Program on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)’ conducted by WRM which can help support the human resource development programs of MRC.

A MoU between AIT and MRC was signed in 2000 which expired in 2005. The agreement aimed to establish the overall framework for strengthening inter- institutional relationship and cooperation in the areas of water resources modeling, watershed management, environmental management and community-based development through the following activities: capacity building and human resource development, information exchange, research collaboration and consultancy/advisory services. Funding for some of the activities came from Sida and Danida. In order to renew the partnership between AIT and MRC, Mr. Bird will discuss with his office the results of the meeting at AIT and prepare a draft agreement for AIT’s review.

The possible areas for collaboration between AIT and MRC identified are: 1) Internships, 2) Joint research projects, 3) Professional master’s programs, 4) Information (reports/findings) sharing, 5) Seminar participation, and 6) Co- branding through joint seminars. We plan to organize a brainstorming meeting between AIT and MRC to discuss an action plan for the implementation of the new MoU which will be signed.

° Erasmus Mundus EuroAsia Kick-off Meeting at AIT: The Erasmus Mundus EuroAsia mobility project 2009-2013 held a Steering Committee meeting in AIT on 10-11 August 2009. Sixteen representatives from the 11 partner universities

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from Europe and Southeast Asia gathered to launch the project and discuss the policies and mechanisms of project implementation. The Steering Committee agreed on a Partnership Agreement, an Information Strategy and elected Working Committee members which include AIT.

Dr. Hans Björk, Dean of Engineering at the University of Borås, highlighted the partnership and cooperation between AIT and Borås through the years that provided the foundation of the present cooperation. Prof. Rakshit, VP-Research, AIT added that the desire to start a mobility exchange with Borås spurred AIT to mobilize its resources to prepare a proposal and realize the project.

Mr. Joachim Fronia, head of the EACEA Unit responsible for the project, and Mr. Mads Korn, Attaché (Cooperation) from the EC Delegation, were both present for the launch. Mr. Fronia congratulated the group for a successful proposal and emphasized that the hard work of implementing the project will now begin.

The mobility project’s website can be accessed at www.em-euroasia.org. The website has facility for candidate application, links to partners, and contains all relevant information about the project. Application will be open starting August 20, 2009 for the 2010 cohort.

° HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graces AIT Exhibition booth at the Thailand’s National Science and Technology Fair 2009: HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, graced the AIT Exhibition Booth on 9 August, after the formal opening ceremony of the Thailand National Science and Technology Fair 2009. The Fair was organized by the National Science Museum (NSM) from 8-23 August 2009, at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center. HRH Princess Sirindhorn viewed all of the AIT projects, and was particularly interested in the construction materials developed by AIT’s Habitech Center. The Fair, the biggest science and technology fair ever organized in this year, aims to showcase science and the advanced technology and use it to inspire and increase awareness towards science and technology.

° Report on “Energy Security and Climate Change” Workshop, AIT, Bangkok, Thailand, August 11, 2008 : The workshop on “Energy Security and Climate Change”, sponsored by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was organized through the project entitled “Networking with Norwegian and Regional Institutions in Energy Issues” on 11th August 2009 at AIT. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss issues related to Energy Security and Climate Change and to increase cooperation between Norwegian and ASEAN institutions working in this area.

Prof. Gerard L. Doorman from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway, Mr. Ivan Ismed from ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Jakarta, Indonesia, Dr. Punjaporn Weschayanwiwat from the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), Bangkok and AIT faculty colleague Professor Ram Shrestha made presentations at the workshop. A total of about 40 participants including Mr. Chatri Moonstan and Mr. Jon Henry Rosseland from the Norwegian Embassy, government, utility, educational institutions and AIT students, attended to the workshop. The workshop provided a platform to

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exchange experiences, activities and interests in the area of Energy Security and Climate Change. The presentations and discussions are expected to open up opportunities for academic and research collaborations in the future.

° 50th Anniversary Related Events: Highlights of events marking AIT’s 50th anniversary are provided below:

- Launching of “Yunus Center at AIT”: Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and AIT formally launched the Yunus Center at AIT with the signing of the charter on 19 August at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), the first of its kind outside of Bangladesh for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

The signing of Charter of the Yunus Center at AIT has been applauded by both the media, both local and International, and Professor Yunus’ visit to Bangkok, directly followed his visit to the United States of America where he was personally honored with the 2009 US Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama at the White House on 12 August.A video of the FCCT Press Conference can be viewed on AIT’s YouTube site at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nS18E5Hy_s

I was a panelist at the FCCT press conference along with Prof. Muhammad Yunus; Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, HE Dr. Tej Bunnag; Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Peter Haddawy. AIT’s Vice President for Resources and Development, Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, was the moderator for the opening Charter signing session and speeches and News and Specialist, Mr. Shawn Kelly, moderated the question and answer session. The event was graced by AIT trustee HE Mustafa Kamal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of Thailand.

Over one hundred media and guests attended and covered the event, including agencies such as Associated Press (AP), BBC, Financial Times, Thompson- Reuters, Deutche Presse-Agentur (DPA), Inter Press Service (IPS) and Channel News Asia, among others. During his short stay, Prof. Yunus was extremely gracious to consent to one-on-one interviews with Thailand’s national PBS TV, Prachachart Turukij newspaper, Bangkok Post, The Nation, and the AP.

Further details on launching of the “Yunus Center at AIT” are available at the below links:

Yunus Center at AIT launched by Nobel Laureate Media applauds Yunus Center at AIT

- Gala Dinner: A 50th anniversary Gala Dinner was held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in the evening of 19 August, which was presided over H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees. On behalf of AIT, I took the occasion to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all the honoured guests and to the distinguished speakers H.E. Fidel V. Ramos, former President of the

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Philippines; Prof. Muhammad Yunus; Khun Vikrom Kromadit, Chairman of the Amata Foundation; and to Dr. Bindu N. Lohani, ADB Vice President, Finance and Administration. It was indeed a great honour and privilege to have had an opportunity, to listen, reflect and learn from their words of wisdom.

All four distinguished speakers have close links and association with AIT. President Ramos is the recipient of an AIT honorary doctorate degree, and also an honorary AIT alumnus, who continues to help support and promote AIT and its cause. Prof. Yunus is also a recipient of an AIT honorary doctorate degree, and the setting up of a “Yunus Center at AIT” is the most recent testimony of his keen interest to engage and partner AIT. Khun Vikrom’s Amata Group and AIT are currently exploring concrete areas of collaboration, and we are also proud by the fact that the Amata Vietnam operations are headed by an AIT alumnus and former AIT faculty member. Dr. Lohani, who is a distinguished AIT alumnus is also a former faculty member at AIT, and has helped AIT in many ways such as the 3R Regional Knowledge Hub – ADB, UNEP, and ESCAP initiative, which he was instrumental in launching.

I also took the occasion of the Gala Dinner to thank all of AIT’s partner governments, organizations and individuals, who have helped contribute in so many different ways to the mission of AIT, and also for their strong and continued support. I also conveyed our thanks and gratitude, for all contributions that were received in relation to AIT’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

- Unveiling of AIT’s 50th Anniversary Landmark, at Chulalongkorn University: On 20 August, we had an event at Chulalongkorn University, the birthplace of AIT and its home for the initial fourteen years of its existence, from 1959-1972, with an unveiling of AIT’s 50th Anniversary Landmark by President Ramos. H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Kua Wongboonsin, Vice President, Chulalongkorn University, Assoc. Prof. Boonsom Lerdhirunwong, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and I also delivered remarks on the occasion of the event.

- Opening of AIT’s 50th anniversary exhibition: “Partnering Asia’s Future” at Gaysorn Plaza: The same day, after the event at Chulalongkorn University, we opened AIT’s 50th anniversary exhibition: “Partnering Asia’s Future” at the Gaysorn Plaza, in downtown Bangkok. This event was also inaugurated by President Ramos, and presided over by the Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, H.E Dr. Tej Bunnag.

Aside from the above events, a welcome dinner was hosted for President Ramos and Professor Yunus, at the Dusit Thani Bangkok on 18 August, by the General Manager of the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel; and a lunch in honor of Professor Yunus at the Four Seasons Hotel, on 19 August, by the General Manager of the Hotel.

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- 8th September Birthday Celebrations: On 8 September we commemorated AIT’s 50th birthday with different events throughout the day. A Roundtable Workshop on “AIT – the Next 50 years” was held in the morning which was presided over by H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees and moderated by Mr. Jean-Pierre Verbiest, Country Director, Thailand Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank; and Vice-Chairperson, AIT Board of Trustees; and Chairman, Executive Committee of the AIT Board of Trustees.

The panelists included Prof. Martien Molenaar, Rector ITC Netherlands; Prof. Hubert Gijzen, Director UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; Ms. Carmen Tavera, Deputy Director, Division of Regional Cooperation, UNEP; Dr. Bindu Lohani, Vice President (Finance and Administration), ADB; and Mr. Guy Ellena, Director, Health and Education, IFC.

The workshop saw participation from Prof. Ricardo P. Pama, President, Angeles University, Philippines and former AIT Vice President and Distinguished AIT alumnus; Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman, Southeast Asia Technology Co., Ltd (SEATEC), Bangkok and distinguished AIT alumnus; Mr. S. Srinivasan, Senior Executive President, Head - Pulp Operations, Grasim Industries Ltd.; H.E. Mrs. Vijaya Latha Reddy, Ambassador, The Embassy of India and AIT trustee; Mr. Watanabe Masatake, Managing Director, Thai Nippon Steel Engineering and Construction Corporation Ltd.; Dr. Ajva Taulananda, Vice Chairman, Charoen Pokphand Group Co Ltd, Thailand and Member of the School of Management Board; Mr. S. Roy, CEO, Asean Affairs; Mr. Anders Granlund, Counsellor (Director of Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia); Prof. Gajendra Singh, Former AIT Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Bernard C. Jiang, Vice President, Yuan Ze University, Taiwan; and Mr. Chaovalit Ekabut, PRO, newly appointed AITAA Mother Chapter, President, SCG Paper PLC, Bangkok.

Further details are available at the below link:

AIT is 50 - a new era dawns

° Visit of UNEP Executive Director and UN Undersecretary General, Dr Achim Steiner: On 21 August, Dr Achim Steiner inaugurated the low carbon office at the AIT-UNEP.RRC.AP Office, penning the words "The Future has Arrived". He was accompanied by UNEP Regional Director, Dr Young Woo Park and colleagues from UNEP's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. After interactions with RRC.AP staff, Mr. Pradhan escorted UNEP Executive Director to the AIT Administrative Building where he informally met with AIT Faculty and Administration. These discussions covered the existing partnership between AIT and UNEP, the new Charter of AIT, and the proposed Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change at AIT. Prior to departure, Dr Steiner graciously recorded two video messages for AIT's 50th Anniversary Celebrations and the launch of AIT's Centre of Excellence on Climate Change, for which we are very grateful.

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Related news on the visit of the UNEP Executive Director is available at the below links:

I admire AIT, says UNEP Executive Director Low carbon office inaugurated at AIT-UNEP Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP)

° AIT-Thammasat University (TU)-National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Executive Meeting: I along with Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development (VPRD) and Dr. H. L. Tien, Associate Head for Administration, participated in the second AIT-TU-NSTDA Executive meeting which was hosted by Thammasat University on 18 August. The TU delegation comprised of Professor Surapon, Rector, Dr. Siriporn, Vice Rector for Administration, Rangsit Campus, Dr. Preecha, Vice Rector for Research Development, Prof. Siriluck, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Dr. Cattleya, Assistant to the Rector for international affairs. From NSTDA, Prof. Sakarindr, President, Dr. Thaweesak, Vice President and CIO, Dr. Prasit, Vice President, Dr. Janekrishna, Director of Thailand Science Park and eight other officers joined.

The progress of the following works and issues were reported and discussed, namely Knowledge City sign, joint ToR for supplying stable and cheaper electricity and chilled water, sharing of the libraries and databases, establishment of a Research Committee, co-organizing open houses and seminars.

° Brainstorming Meeting between AIT and the Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific (RUSHSAP), UNESCO Bangkok: A brainstorming meeting between AIT and the Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific (RUSHSAP) was held on 17 August at the UNESCO Bangkok office. I along with Senior Executive Advisor to the President, Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein who also is the member of the Ethics of Energy Technologies in Asia and the Pacific (EETAP) Project at UNESCO, participated from AIT.

From UNESCO RUSHSAP, the Regional Adviser for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific: Prof. Dr. Darryl Macer; National Programme Officer: Dr. Sarinya Sophia; Consultant: Mr. Amarbayasgalan Dorjderem,; chairs of EETAP Working Groups: Ms. Raine Boonlong, Ms. Lindsay McGraw; and interns: Ms. Claire Alice Parfondry, Ms. Zahra Ibrahim Qureshi, Mr. Nauman Aqil Khan, Mr. Rameez Ahmed Sheikh, and Mr. Colum Graham; attended the meeting.

I presented the major outcomes of AIT and some new initiatives such as the planned Asian Center for CSR, MDG Center, Yunus Center and also gender related activities. Prof. Dr. Darryl Macer showed great interest in those issues for future cooperation between UNESCO networks and AIT networks. UNESCO could also offer internship opportunities for AIT students.

Prof. Dr. Darryl Macer also presented the main theme and work of UNESCO RUSHSAP programmes (http://www.unescobkk.org/rushsap/), including work on

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the ethics of science and technology. Recently, the World Commission of the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) held its sixth session in Malaysia in June 2009; which had also stimulated the EETAP programmes. The discussions on EETAP also included ongoing reports and possible future cooperation on the ethics and social issues of Nuclear Technology and Hydropower. There was also discussion of Bioethics, Environmental ethics etc. The way that UNESCO RUSHSAP implements programmes to encourage research and policy evaluation is to include such value added knowledge and education is to work through universities in the region.

The UNESCO RUSHSAP is interest in exploring possible joint project opportunities through above mentioned AIT Centers and persons, further details of which will be communicated directly by the concerned persons, leading or coordinating the activities of the Centers. Prof. Dr. Darryl Macer requested the list of contact persons assigned by AIT, to begin the more in depth discussions.

° AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) Related Events: The AITAA held their 38th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) and related events at AIT during 6-8 September 2009. On Sunday, 6 September, I joined the dinner cruise which arranged by the AITAA Mother and Thailand Chapter. It was a real pleasure to welcome back to AIT so many of our distinguished alumni, former senior administrators and faculty, some who came all the way from the Colorado State University, and were part of the faculty body that taught at the Institute during its founding years.

The meeting of the AITAA GBM took place on Monday, 7 September at the AIT Conference Center Auditorium. It was a record in terms of participation with the attendance of 18 chapters, with the event being hosted by the Mother Chapter and Thailand Chapter. I made a presentation similar to the one I had done at our recent Institute Forum, reporting on the financial situation, student enrolment trend as well as ongoing and planned activities and initiatives including an elaboration on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concept which we are currently exploring for AIT.

I would like to congratulate alumnus Mr. Chaovalit Ekabut, President of the Siam Cement Group (SCG), Paper Public Company Limited, Thailand, who was elected as the new AITAA Mother Chapter President, effective from 1 January 2010, and wish him the very best. At the same time I would like to thank the current AITAA Mother Chapter President Mr. Somprasong Boonyachai, for the dedicated manner in which he has served the AITAA body and also the Institute through various activities and initiatives which is greatly appreciated. The future meetings of the AITAA GBM will be hosted by the following chapters, namely, Vietnam (2010); Malaysia (2011); India (2012) and Myanmar (2013).

° Visit of Laureate Education, Inc.: On 7 September, we welcomed to AIT Mr. Douglas L. Becker, Chairman/CEO of Laureate Education, Inc. and delegation which consisted of Mr. Michael Mann, Managing Director of Asia Pacific Laureate International Universities; Dr. Sam Yong, President of Laureate Asia; and Mr. Scott McKinley, Senior Vice President of Laureate Asia. Mr. Guy Ellena, Director of Health and Education Department, International Finance Corporation

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(IFC) of the World Bank Group, which is partnering with Laureate in some of their initiatives, also joined the meeting.

Prior to their visit to AIT, H.E Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, hosted a lunch for them in Bangkok which was joined by Mr. Jean- Pierre Verbiest, Chairman of the AIT Executive Committee; Mr. Maris Samaram, Chairman of the Audit Committee; Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp, Member of the Board of Trustees; Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, Member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee; and Prof. Prida Wibulwas, Member of the Executive Committee. Distinguished AIT alumnus Dr. Bindu Lohani, Vice President of Asian Development Bank who was at AIT for the 50th anniversary celebrations also joined the lunch.

During their visit to AIT, the delegation made a tour of the campus, first visiting the UNEP.RRC.AP office where they were received by its Director Mr. Mahesh Pradhan. The delegation was impressed by the new initiative at the UNEP.RRC.AP in establishing a low carbon office and also had a chance to meet with H.E. Deepak Bohara, Minister of Forests and Soil Conservation, Nepal who was visiting the UNEP.RRC.AP Office. The group was then provided a tour of the Mechatronics Laboratory and the Regional Tsunami Warning Facility by Dr. Manukid Parnichkun and Dr. Pennung Warnitchai respectively.

Following the campus tour, a meeting was held between the delegation and AIT Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, Unit Heads, Faculty Representative, Student Union President and other concerned staff. The purpose of the meeting was to hear from Laureate about their plans for the Asian region and also provide an opportunity for members from AIT to put forward their comments and questions. The Laureate Chairman Mr. Becker provided an overview of Laureate, noting that it is a new kind of organization which has a combination of a company and NGO concept ‘welded’ together. Laureate provides academic institutions in its network all over the world, investment and support in terms of boosting the quality of education towards better addressing the needs of specific regions, which is a best practice for its promotional and operational activities, and a link to source of capital. Laureate’s vision is to have strong bases in each country / region and they view AIT as having strong potential in becoming a ‘center of excellence for engineering and environmental management’ given its half a century of proven track record and reputation. Mr. Becker informed the meeting that he is very impressed by AIT and that AIT has all the qualities he looks for in a strategic partnership. As recommended by the Executive Committee we will be conducting a further study on the prospects for such a strategic partnership under the PPP model.

Laureate hosted a dinner in the evening which was attended by AIT trustee H.E. Mr. Mustafa Kamal, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand; distinguished alumnus Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Honorary Advisor, GMS Power Public Company; distinguished alumnus Dr. Chainarong Na Lamphun, Former President of the AIT Alumni Association; me and Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President, Resource Development.

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° Extramural Lecture by Distinguished AIT Alumnus and ADB Vice President Dr. Bindu Lohani: Dr. Lohani delivered an extramural lecture on the topic “Key Issues for a Successful Copenhagen Climate Change Summit: The Role of Emerging Countries in Asia and the Role of AIT” at the Milton Bender Jr. Auditorium on 7 September. The talk is especially relevant to all of us at AIT since we are positioning ourselves under an Institute-wide thematic research area of “Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change” as part of the ”AIT Strategy 2013”. I would like to thank Dr. Lohani for his strong and continued support to AIT. He was also one of the speakers at the 50th anniversary roundtable discussions on 8 September, and I very much agree with him when he mentioned that AIT should be regarded as “the” place which provides “"Asian solutions to Asian problems with global knowledge and in a global context ".

° Visit of High-level Delegates from Pakistan: During 7-9 September, government agency and academic institution partners from Pakistan visited AIT to explore further collaboration as well as to attend the 50th Anniversary celebration at AIT. Among the 5-member delegate was Dr. Shamsudin M. Qureshi (AIT alumni SEC'65) Chairman of the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee, Education Department of the Government of Sindh, Karachi, Pakistan. Dr. Qureshi was requested to attend the AIT celebration upon the request of Dr. Javaid R. Laghari, new Chairperson of Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan. Dr. Qureshi was accompanied by Mr. Rana Shafiq Admad, Project Director-Overseas Scholarships, HEC whose visit was to strengthen the existing AIT-HEC partnership. Also among the delegates were Prof. Dr. Anwar H. Siddiqui, President, International Islamic University (IIU), Islamabad and Dr. Muhammad Irfan, Chairman-Department of Environmental Science, IIU, Islamabad. In 2008, AIT signed an agreement with IIU and the present visit was made to know more about the programs at AIT where faculty members of IIU could be sent for doctoral degree programs as part of the capacity building initiative. Lt. General Muhammad Asghar, Rector of National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Rawalpindi was represented by Major General Muhammad Shahid. AIT also has an agreement with NUST and the visit was to explore the potential areas for further cooperation.

I also met with AIT alumnus Mr. Abdur Rahman, Deputy Chief, Planning Commission, who was at AIT in connection to the AITAA GBM meeting and 50th anniversary celebrations.

The delegation also met with the Pakistani students studying at AIT. Dr. Qureshi informed AIT that under the new leadership at HEC, the module of an AIT center in Pakistan will be pursued and that in 2010 August intake, more HEC scholars will be sent to AIT, approximately 30-50. Some highlights of the discussions also included further collaboration in research, faculty secondment / exchange, post- doctoral positions for Pakistani nationals, split doctoral programs and suggestion for AIT to increase its the visibility in Pakistan.

° Grand-Opening of New Facilities of the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology: On 8 September we opened the new facilities of the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology which is a joint and strategic partnership between NANOTEC of the National Science and Technology Development Agency

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(NSTDA) of Thailand and AIT. We are honoured and proud of our partnership with NANOTEC and NSTDA and to open this new facility on the occasion of AIT’s 50th anniversary. Although the nanotechnology program at AIT is a relatively new undertaking, what it has been able to achieve during this short period is most impressive. True to the spirit of a “Regional Network Institute” and the recently launched “AIT Strategy 2013” the Center has been most proactive in the development of collaborative research projects both nationally and internationally through the extensive networks it has built in the field of nanotechnology.

° AIT launches Center of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change (SDCC): AIT’s new Center of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change (SDCC) was launched on 24 September, in conjunction with a two-day international conference held at AIT during 24-25 September.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary- General and UN/Environment and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific UN/ESCAP Executive Secretary and AIT Executive Committee member, who also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AIT.

The conference gathered together a large number of international scholars and stakeholders to discuss emerging, urgent issues and to plan joint research efforts. The launching ceremony was also attended by other distinguished guest speakers, namely H.E. Mr. Lennart Linner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Thailand and AIT trustee; Mr. Yann Pradeau, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of France to Thailand; and Mr. Cholathorn Dumrongsak, Director, Total Quality Production Center, Siam Cement Group (SCG).

United Nations Development Programme (UNEP), Executive Director-General, Achim Steiner, delivered a videotape address to the conference in which he mentioned that “the United Nations Environment Programme shares the objectives of the AIT Center of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change and we hope to be able to contribute and build on the long tradition that we have developed in working together in partnership with AIT”.

We have also signed a MoU with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of the UN/ESCAP based in Delhi, which is headed by AIT alumnus Dr. K. Ramanathan, and Dr. Heyzer indicated that we could explore the possibility of having an umbrella agreement with two other similar centers under UN/ESCAP.

Further details on the event are available at the below link:

AIT launches Center of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change, signs MoU with UN/ESCAP

CanalAVIST streamed the international conference to audiences at the AIT Vietnam (AITVN), Hanoi, and to Polytech Nice, in France, further details of 29 | P a g e

which are available at the below link. There were more than 60 participants in Vietnam and 20 in Nice, France who remotely joined the conference.

CanalAVIST streams AIT’s international climate change conference to Vietnam and France

On 25 September and as part of the international conference, a Stakeholder Forum was organized which gathered 10 donor and research institutes in the Asia-Pacific Region to share their plans and programs on thematic areas touching on sustainable development and climate change. Some of the notable participants who presented their climate change outlook and priorities were USAID/RDMA, EC Delegation, SIDA/SENSA, UNDP, UNEP/RRC.AP, GTZ, IFD, AFD among others.

The forum began with a brief summary of the SDCC conference by AIT faculty highlighting the research directions suggested by the distinguished invited speakers and from the subsequent discussions. Each of the invited stakeholders then presented the priorities, programs and plans of their organizations in sustainable development and climate change. There was a short question and answer portion after each stakeholder presentation. Mr. Anders Granlund , Director of the Swedish Environment Secretariat in Asia (SENSA), and Members of the SERD Board, presented the Swedish concerns and urgent actions as the Copenhagen negotiation nears. The presentation of Mr. Winston Bowman, Regional Director of USAID/RDMA, was received warmly when he started by saying that the USA is now back in the climate change discussion. Mr. Mahesh Pradhan, Director of the AIT-UNEP/Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific mentioned the various opportunities of working with AIT including the Carbon Neutral Network of which AIT is the first university member from Thailand. There were also opportunities for exchange of students with the CIRAD Regional Office at Réunion and the Indian Ocean Commission as well as research opportunities that focus on sub-national and local level activities.

The launch of the AIT Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change at the International Conference at AIT was covered by the Thai-ASEAN News Network, an English television channel under ASTV Cable Television and under the umbrella of Manager Daily newspaper. The TAN Network report includes interviews with myself, Vice President Prof. Sudip Rakshit; Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, UNESCAP Executive Secretary; and Mr. Cholathorn Dumrongsak, Director, Corporate Total Quality Promotion Center of the Siam Cement Group (SCG) PLC. It was broadcast today, September 28, at 12.00 noon through ASTV Channel and on http://www.tannetwork.tv

I would like to commend Vice President for Research Professor Rakshit and colleagues, for all their hard work and efforts, on the very successful organization of the conference and launch of the Center of Excellence on SDCC, which is indeed a most important and timely initiative.

° Eco-friendly Publication of AIT Research book: The Center of Excellence on SDCC was symbolically launched with the release of the AIT Research document initiated by the Office of the Vice President for Research. The unique feature of

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this document was that it indicates the six research subthemes of the thematic knowledge area, present and future research of the fields study at AIT and the expertise of the faculty and staff involved.

This initiative was undertaken in partnership with SCG Paper as corporate sponsors which donated Green Series paper which is one of SCG Paper's Eco Products. AIT Research is also an eco-friendly publication and uses soy ink without special techniques to ensure that it is recyclable. Discussions between MCU/ERCO and SCG Paper's Corporate Relations Office offer possibilities for more collaboration in the future.

3.4 Recognition of AIT Faculty, Staff, Students and Alumni

Faculty

° Professor Joydeep Dutta, Associate Dean, SET and Director of the Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, was invited to join the Advisory Board of Texas State University System’s Nano-Safety Program. ° Dr. Mukand S. Babel, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Water Engineering and Management (WEM), SET, who was invited by the Chairman of the World City Water Forum 2009, to join the World City Water Forum International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB). ° Dr. L A S Ranjith Perera was invited by the Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN) to serve as an expert reviewer for an assessment report with a current working title of “Climate and Cities, First UCCRN Assessment Report.”

Alumni

° AIT alumnus, Mr. Yu Xiaogang, was selected as one of the recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2009. The award announcement was made by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), and in honouring Yu Xiaogang, the Foundation said, “He is being recognized for his fusing the knowledge and tools of social science with a deep sense of social justice, in assisting dam-affected communities in China to shape the development projects that impact their natural environment and their lives.”

Mr. Yu Xiaogang acquired his M.Sc. degree from the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) in 1993. He also worked as a research associate at SERD. It is only befitting that an alumnus of AIT should be bestowed this award on the occasion of the Golden jubilee celebrations of the Institute, and this is the second time that AIT has been associated with the Magsaysay Award, with the Institute having been received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1989.

° AIT alumnus Mr. Madhav Prasad Ghimire from Nepal, was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Nepal, which is the highest position in the Civil Service. Similarly another AIT alumnus Mr. Yuba Raj Bhusal was also promoted to the position of Permanent Secretary.

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3.5 Other News

° Passing Away of Former Trustee and former Chairman of Executive Committee: H.E. Mr. Laurent Aublin, AIT trustee and former Ambassador of France to Thailand who passed away this year, was a true friend of AIT and had contributed significantly to the welfare of AIT during his tenure in Thailand. He served in the AIT Board of Trustees from April 2003 to June 2007, and chaired the Executive Committee of the AIT Board of Trustees from September 2005 to March 2007.

° Sodexo Cocktail Reception and Update on Progress: on 3 July, Sodexo hosted a reception to celebrate the official launch of the partnership between AIT and Sodexo. The reception was very well attended by colleagues from AIT and senior officials and staff from Sodexo, which included among others Mr Nicolas Japy, the Chief Operating Officer of Sodexo who flew in from their headquarters in Paris and Mr. Stuart Winters, Regional Director, Sodexo Thailand, Malaysia and Laos.

° Interview in “The Report: Thailand 2009” by BOI and Oxford Business Group: “The Report: Thailand 2009”, which has been produced by Oxford Business Group (OBG) www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com in partnership with the Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), has included an article based on an in- depth interview conducted with me earlier in the year. OBG publishers decided (for the first time) to focus on education in Thailand, and chose AIT as their sole authoritative source for an analysis of the situation of international higher learning in the country.

The Report was launched on 29 June at the Royal Thai Government House, Santi Maitri Building in the presence of the Prime Minister of Thailand, HE Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Minister of Industry, HE Chanchai Chairungruang, and other key representatives from both the public and private sectors.

The Report includes a wide range of interviews with prominent political, economic and business figures, including Taro Aso, Prime Minister of Japan, Korn Chatikavanij, Thailand’s Finance Minister, and Supachai Paniitchpakdi, Secretary-General of UN Conference on Trade and Development and Former Director-General of WTO. Former US President George W Bush also gave his views on Thailand’s economic development.

° MCU’s new Media Specialist: Mr. Bajinder Pal Singh joined AIT as the Institute’s new Media Specialist based at the Media and Communications Unit (MCU), External Relations and Communications Office. Mr. Singh brings a wealth of experience in journalism to AIT, having worked as a journalist for more than a decade at The Indian Express, one of India’s leading newspapers, Before joining AIT, Mr. Singh was the Communications Manager of the Office of the Finance Minister, Government of Punjab, India. Mr. Singh holds a Bachelor of Engineering and an MSc degree in Environmental Management. He has been an Erasmus scholar, having studied at the University of Southampton (UK), Lund University (Sweden), University of Warsaw at Poland and the ITC (The Netherlands).

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° Interview on TV Talk show “Thai-OZ Talk with Jaye Walton”: As part of the promotional activities for the AIT’s 50th Anniversary Celebration this year, I was interviewed for an English-language TV talk show called “Thai-OZ Talk with Jaye Walton” in Bangkok on 30 July 2009. During the interview, I took the opportunity to highlight AIT’s mission and core work, how relevant AIT’s educational courses are to the modern world, how we envision AIT in the coming fifty years, and AIT’s new Charter among other topics.

° AIT in the News: Over the past few months there has been a lot of positive publicity in the local and regional media on AIT related activities. One is on the topic “Team AIT emerge champions in Thailand Intelligent Vehicle Challenge 2009” AIT’s intelligent vehicle team, Kuen-Chai, won all the races and has become the champion of Thailand Intelligent Vehicle Challenge 2009. Kuen- Chai received Baht 300,000 cash prize and championship trophy. At the same competition, the other AIT’s intelligent vehicle team, Pak-Shee received the excellent creativity award with Baht 50,000 cash prize. On July 29 2009, the final round of Thailand Intelligent Vehicle Challenge 2009 (TIVC2009) was organized at Bangkok Racing Circuit.

The opening ceremony of TIVC2009 was presided over by the Minister of Science and Technology of Thailand, Dr. Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, along with Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, AIT Vice President for Resource Development, Dr. Jackrit Suthakorn, Thai Robotics Society President, Mr. Jefferey D. Nygaard, Vice President, Seagate Technology (Thailand), and AIT faculty colleague, Dr. Manukid Parnichkun, Chairman of the organizing committee. My congratulations to all members of the AIT team on their hard work and success.

Another article “AIT offers to support government in promoting country as a hub” is based on an interview of AIT Vice President Professor Worsak by The Nation newspaper on the role of AIT in Thailand. The article highlights the important role AIT is playing for Thailand and the region, in which Professor Worsak notes that “The government should appoint AIT as a centre collaborating with Thai universities, such as Chulalongkorn and Mahidol. I want AIT to share experience, teaching techniques and lecturers with them, giving these lecturers a chance to work with foreign lecturers in the international atmosphere at AIT. I believe this will promote the region's education hub policy".

° Appointment of New Deans for the School of Engineering & Technology (SET) and School of Environment, Resources & Development (SERD): Following the search and recruitment process for the positions, Dr Nitin Afzulpurkar was appointed as Dean of the School of Engineering & Technology (SET) and Dr Weerakorn Ongsakul as Dean of the School of Environment, Resources & Development (SERD), with effect from 1 September 2009.

I am most grateful to Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai and Professor Sivanappan Kumar for their services rendered to the Institute in their capacity as

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Dean of the School of Engineering & Technology (SET) and Dean of the School of Environment, Resources & Development (SERD), respectively.

° New Student AIT welcomes new Students on Orientation Day: On 13 August we had an Institute-wide Orientation Program for our new students joining this August 2009 intake, which was held at the AIT Conference Center Auditorium.

° 10th Anniversary Celebrations of IEMBA Vietnam: On 14 August, I met with the IEMBA Vietnam alumni and students over lunch, who were at AIT, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the program. Joining me at the lunch were the Dean of SOM, Dr. Barbara Igel, Dr. Do Ba Khang and other colleagues. The program was attended by students and alumni from the programs at Hanoi, Ho Chi Min City, Vung Tau and Dong Nai. A total of 70 members participated in the event and some were accompanied by their family. This event was organized to mark a home coming celebration . The total number of participants of the IEMBA Vietnam program is more than 600 with 440 graduates.

° Extramural Lecture by Professor Sir Drummond Bone, Chair of Laureate’s International Advisory Board former Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool: On 17 August, Professor Sir Drummond Bone, Chair of Laureate’s International Advisory Board former Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, delivered an extramural lecture at AIT on the topic “University Management in the 21st Century”. One important element highlight in Professor Bone was that Universities need to diversify their income streams for better university management in the 21st century, and should not be over reliant either on government support, private support or tuition fees for their financial management.

Universities need to diversity their income streams : Prof Sir Drummond Bone

The same day, H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees and I hosted a lunch for Professor Bone, which was attended by Mr. Michael Mann, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Laureate International Universities; and AIT trustees Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp; Professor Yongyuth Yuthavong; and Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham. We discussed the PPP concept over lunch and I am grateful to Professor Yongyuth, Dr. Tongchat and Khunying Jada, for their support, and for advising us of important issues that need to be considered in the context of the PPP undertaking, and how best we could pursue this further.

° Yunus Center at AIT in New York Times, CNBC, Forbes and more press around the world: Word of AIT's new partnership with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus to launch the “Yunus Center at AIT” has spread around the region and the world. The New York Times published a syndicated article from the Associated Press (AP) titled "Grameen Shows Poorest of the Poor Can Be Creditworthy", which makes reference to the newly-launched Center. The same Associated Press article was published by numerous leading media outlets around the world, including The Huffington Post, CNBC Online and Forbes Online. Further details are available at the below link:

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News coverage on Yunus Center at AIT

° Institute Forum: An Institute Forum was held on 28 August for members of the AIT Community. A copy of the presentation I made at the Forum is available at the below link.

Institute Forum Presentation

During my presentation I provided a status update on AIT’s financial situation, student enrolment trend, as well as realities, challenges and opportunities, for the Institute’s short and long-term future. During my presentation of the proposed PPP model for AIT, I outlined that it would entail a strategic partnership wherein the AIT brand name would be further strengthened; investments towards campus upgrading; new investments for additional facilities to scale up the main campus operations; building up of an Endowment Fund; investments in 7-8 new campuses abroad; provision of management expertise, with marketing, finance, HR functions; all of which would be detailed out in a Management Contract.

° Extramural Lecture by Dr. Francisco Gutierrez, Laureate Education Inc.’s Senior Vice President for Medicine and Health Sciences and the Chief Consultant for Health Navigation in Washington, D.C.: Dr. Francisco Gutierrez, Laureate Education Inc.’s Senior Vice President for Medicine and Health Sciences and the Chief Consultant for Health Navigation in Washington, D.C. delivered an extramural lecture at AIT on the topic “Global Health Trends and Their Impact on Medical and Health Sciences Education” on 26 August 2009. Dr. Gutierrez was accompanied by Mr. Michael Mann, Managing Director (Asia- Pacific) for Laureate. The lecture was very informative and generated a lot of questions from the audience. Further details on the lecture is available at the below link:

44,000 US patients die every year due to medical errors: Dr Gutierrez

Several of our neighbours from the Thailand Science Park, also attended the lecture.

° AIT Community School (AITCS) welcomes a new Principal: Ms Kaisa Pudas joined as the new AITCS Principal with effect from 24 August 2009. The AITCS Principal is responsible for overseeing the overall management of the AIT Community School. Ms Pudas, a Finnish national, has University Master's degrees in Class Teacher Education (principal subject on Education Pedagogy) and in Education and Globalization (principal subjects on Issues in Globalization, New Education Environments, and Education Policy & Leadership). She also has Certificates in Finnish Education Administration and in Diversity & Equality Training. Ms Pudas is not new to Thailand, having lived here from 1996 to 2005, and again since July 2008. In Finland, she has worked as a class teacher in primary and secondary levels in Finnish public schools and in an international IB World school. In Bangkok, she has previously worked as a principal teacher in the Finnish School of Bangkok and as a Finnish language teacher in the New International School of Thailand (NIST).

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° New Faculty Orientation Program: On 10 September, the Human Resources Office (HRO) organized a faculty orientation program for new faculty members, and was participated by the following four regular faculty members, Dr. Roland Cochard (SERD-NRM); Dr. Anil Kumar (SERD-FEBT); Dr. Mongkol Ekpanyapong (SET-ISE); and Dr. Arun Kumar Gopalaswamy (SOM); while the seven visiting faculty members were Dr. Sangeeta Sahney; Professor Druv Dev Sharma both from SOM; Dr. Shailendra Kumar Shukla (SERD-Energy); Professor Siba Shankar Mahapatra; Professor Pran Hari Talukdar; Professor Perumal Dananjayan, all from SET-ISE; Professor Gabor L. Hornyak from the Nanotehnology Program and Dr. Evangelos Afendras, Director of CLIQ.

° Farewell to K-water Intern: On 11 September, we arranged a farewell meeting with Six K-water interns. They presented a short video presentation about K-water and also shared their experiences during their 4 weeks of internship at AIT.

This is the second time that K-Water has sent its employees for internship to AIT. It is noteworthy that K-Water has provided internships in Korea for AIT students for four consecutive years. The returning AIT students from the internship have expressed the usefulness of the internship. We are grateful to K-Water for providing paid internships to AIT students. With the ongoing internship of K- Water employees at AIT, we look forward to further strengthening the partnership between AIT and K-Water.

° Election of New Academic Senate Chair: congratulate Professor Vilas M Salokhe, a senior faculty member in the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), was elected as the new Chair of the Academic Senate (AS) upon the completion of the two-year term of Professor Ram M Shrestha, a senior faculty member in SERD.

The Academic Senate serves as an important platform or forum for deliberating issues related to academics, the core of any academic institute. It is responsible for making recommendations on policies for developing and conducting academic programs and policies, reviewing and establishing curricula etc. I have always tried to participate in the Academic Senate meetings as it provides first hand information on the issues discussed, and it also gives me an opportunity to update members on the various ongoing activities at AIT and to respond to question and concerns in a face-to-face or direct manner.

I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Professor Shrestha for his able chairmanship of the Academic Senate and the dedicated and committed manner in which he served this important body.

° 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the School of Management (SOM): SOM celebrated its 20 year anniversary on 5 September 2009. The event was attended by over 60 alumni including family members from various batches, coming from Sri Lanka, Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and other countries. The SOM 20th anniversary was not only a celebration but an opportunity for the school to reach out to its alumni. The Dean introduced the mentoring program and requested the alumni for their involvement. Current SOM students also took this opportunity to

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meet with alumni and share with them their future plans. The alumni have expressed strong interest for closer involvement in SOM programs and activities.

° intERLab Contribution of Juniper Router to AIT: Professor Kanchana Kanchanasut, Director, intERLab, and her team made a generous contribution of a Juniper Router (Juniper 7) worth 650,000 Baht, to the Institute. The router will be used to connect AIT’s campus network and research networks (Uninet, Thaisarn Thairen, Internet2, TIEN) replacing the current aging router which is no longer capable of handling heavy traffic.

° AIT Partnership with ASEAN Affairs Magazine: Mr. S. Roy, Founder, CEO and Editor of the ASEAN Affairs magazine www.aseanaffairs.com who is a close friend of AIT, has invited me to a write a regular column in the magazine. The cover story of the next issue is “Enter the Green Era” and I have contributed an article on the topic “Universities as Facilitators for Dialogue in the Green Era”.

° AIT joins UN Climate Neutral Network: AIT along with the University of California, Berkeley, Universal Postal Union, the International Union of Railways and Japan Airlines have joined the UN Climate Neutral Network. The UN News Centre highlighted this in a recent article, details of which are available at the below link:

AIT joins UN Climate Neutral Network

° AIT in the News: An opinion piece which I wrote on the topic “Tough talk needed as the doomsday climate clock nears its high noon” was published in The Nation newspaper on 29 September.

Mr. Imtiaz Muqbil, a columnist at the Bangkok Post who attended the Yunus Center press conference at the FCCT has also written an opinion article that was published in the Bangkok Post on 27 September, in which reference to AIT and in particular the Yunus Center at AIT has been made.

° First Edition of "Hot Seat": As part of a new initiative of our Media and Communications Unit, I was interviewed by Media Specialist Mr. Bajinder Pal Singh as the first guest on the “Hot Seat” program. The “Hot Seat” will feature an important functionary of the Institute, a visiting dignitary (alumnus or a partner), or a prominent personality associated with AIT. My interview is online and can be read at the below link:

http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2009/news/ait-president-said-irandoust-on- the-hot-seat/view

It is also available in pdf format at the below web link

http://www.ait.asia/news-and-events/2009/news/hotseat.PDF/

We look forward to many interesting “Hot Seat” interviews into the future as well.

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° Meeting with Former AIT Board Chairman H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun: On 25 September, I along with AIT Board Chairman H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, met with former Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, during which we updated him on the progress of AIT’s new Charter, “AIT Strategy 2013” as well as some the Institute’s major initiatives. We received H.E. Mr. Anand’s advice and guidance on several issues, which we will be actively following up on.

4. Conclusion

The entire landscape of higher education and research within Asia and in the globe has changed. When AIT was established in 1959, the region was completely different. AIT was one of the very few, if not the only institute of higher learning in the region which focused on a developmental and capacity building mission at advanced level for the region. It more or less enjoyed a monopoly.

Today, the political environment and context in which AIT was shaped and existed has radically changed. Change is not just a challenge, but also a source of inspiration and opportunity. Compared to a situation where we were the only one enjoying a monopoly in this sector, we are now confronted with a scenario in which many nations in the immediate neighborhood are actively inviting top international universities to establish campuses in the country. To quote one example − Vietnam already has universities with strong international profiles, such as those from Australia and Germany. The government is facilitating the entry of more international players, and in a short time Vietnam will have five or six full fledged international university campuses. It is not difficult to imagine the effects on AIT in terms of having students from Vietnam apart from projects from Vietnam.

Since Asia is changing, AIT which is an Asian Institute of Technology must also change. In order to prepare for the next 50 years AIT must radically change its direction and its strategy. Our financial and business model must reflect the changing times. We have to put in place a new financial or business model, while strengthening our existing linkages and forging new ones. We now have to move from the donorship model to a partnership one. The previous model worked well earlier, but not anymore. We have to respond quickly to the needs of the market. If we do not, others will take our role and place. Those organizations which can respond faster to needs emerge as winners. The ability to respond to market needs will be very important. I refer to AIT as a flexible institute. We are much better equipped than other universities and institutions to respond to changes quickly.

Our new Charter will further accord the Institute full-fledged international organization status, thus enabling us to take on a much stronger and proactive regional as well as global role into the future, together with its partners. The Charter is a recognition of AIT as a regional international platform for collaboration in areas of higher education, research, capacity building and outreach. But it is not a financial model. It is rather a political and legal model, but not a financial model. It invites countries and international organizations to collaborate using AIT as a platform. The Charter defines the vision and role of AIT and provides a legal framework for it. Combined with a business model, it will be very powerful.

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In comparison with national universities in the emerging economies like those in many parts of Asia, AIT has never been able to compete in terms of sheer size and physical infrastructure. Yet, a regional, networking institution like AIT has maintained special advantages. AIT gathers students, faculty and staff from many different nations, which gives an early international experience. It enables networking over frontiers and promotes greater understanding of other perspectives than national.

We are very fortunate to be situated at the very epicenter of growth. The maximum potential of growth in education lies in Asia, and the AIT is ideally situated to benefit from it. The other region of growth is Africa, where AIT will utilize its capacity building potential to share knowledge. AIT strongly believes that with its 50 years of proven academic excellence and commitment of service to the Asian region and beyond, it is in a position to effectively partner governments, organizations and other stakeholders, serving as an effective capacity building tool or arm for them.

In the late 1950s, a special collection of visionaries from around the globe laid the groundwork for the creation of AIT which was among the pioneering institutions at that time, set up with the noble cause of uplifting the people and countries of the Asian region through capacity and institutional building initiatives, teaching and learning, research and outreach. As we look towards the next 50 years, AIT’s hope is to continue to matter in ways seen by our visionary founders, for the benefit of Asia and beyond. It is my firm conviction that AIT is taking firm steps, moving forward, to fully achieve the wonderful dreams of its founding fathers.

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