table of contents AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 2

One year after the devastating flood inundated the pristine campus of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 21 October 2011, the Institute continues to traverse its journey relentlessly and undeterred. Despite its worst crisis in history, the Institute continues to win laurels. This document provides a representative sampling of AIT’s work and achievements during the past eight months.

Graduations 3

Events 4

New initiatives 10

Charter 13

Partner support 15

Visitors/Meetings 16

Honors 19

Book releases 21

Alumni 23

Donations 24

Outreach/Projects 26

Reconstruction 28 graduations AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 3

AIT celebrates 116th Graduation, three months after flood devastates campus

A total of 243 students from 25 countries representing Asia, Africa, Europe and South Ameri- ca were conferred with graduate degrees. The delay in graduation was only four weeks.

117th AIT Graduation, first under International Intergovernmental Organization era

A total of 425 students from 25 countries in Asia, Africa, Eu- rope, and North America were conferred with postgraduate degrees. The delay in graduation was only two weeks. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 4

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits AIT exhibit

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously visited the AIT booth during her official tour of the annual National Science & Technology Fair at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) on 22 August 2012.

Nepal PM reaffirms support to AIT Council, says country is proud to be a member

Prime Minister of Nepal H.E. Rt. Hon. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai reaffirmed Nepal’s support and commitment to the AIT Charter. The AIT President met the Nepal PM twice, in July and October 2012.

APMUN - where people enter as junior delegates, and leave as diplomats

350 young college and university students from 48 countries participated in the Asia-Pacific Internation- al Model United Nations (APMUN) event organized in the precincts of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ES- CAP) in Bangkok on 20 September 2012.

TNA Project meeting with AIT as Asia-CIS Region Lead Organization

AIT hosted the global-level Technology Needs As- sessment (TNA) Project’s “Experience Sharing Workshop” as the Asia-CIS Region Lead Organiza- tion from 10-12 September 2012. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 5

53rd Anniversary

Highlighting its special linkages to South-East, South and East Asia, AIT celebrated 53 years of operation in Thailand on 7-8 September 2012.

SAARC

AIT President met Secretary- General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), H. E. Mr. Ahmed Saleem, at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, Nepal on 11 October 2012.

Kurunegala Municipal Council Mayor compliments AIT for Low Carbon initiative

Mayor of Sri Lankan Kurunegala Municipal Council Hon. A. Gamini Peramunage complimented the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for initiating the Low Carbon Cities project in his city. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 6

400 students from 28 countries join AIT

Four hundred postgraduate students from 28 countries, spread across five continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and South America) joined AIT on 10 August 2012.

40 Myanmar students arrive under Norwegian scholarship

Forty new postgraduate students from Myanmar under a landmark scholarship program of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) kicked-off their academic careers at AIT by attending a special orientation program on 16 July 2012.

AIT welcomes its newest undergraduates

One hundred and fourteen undergraduates from six countries (Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal) joined AIT officially at its Orientation held on 3 September 2012. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 7

AIT President called on President of Nepal Rt. Hon. Dr. Ram Baran Yadav during a visit to Kathmandu.

Vietnam Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Ngo Duc Thang reviews AIT rebuilding work, meets Vietnamese community.

‘Smart Province’ Nakhon Nayok partners with AIT AIT is an undisputed pioneer in the field of education: Bhutan AIT signed a MoU on 26 June 2012 Minister with Nakhon Nayok Governor Dr. Surachai Srisaracam, supporting its Minister of Labor and Human Resources, bid to become Thailand’s first “smart Government of Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Dorji province” and intelligent community Wangdi described AIT as a “great seat of prototype for the fast-emerging learning,” and an “undisputed pioneer in ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) the field of education.” in 2015. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 8

International Women’s Day AIT seminar presents lessons from the celebrated Thailand flood

The theme for International Women’s Experts presented their views at a seminar on “Lessons from Day this year was “Empower Rural the Thailand flood,” which was jointly organized by AIT and Women – End Hunger and Poverty.” ASEAN Affairs in association with the Center for Advanced Infrastructure Technology, University of Mississippi.

Mini Olympics at AIT

Graduation Night by AIT AIT Marathon and Mini Olympics were organized by the AIT Student Union Students Union in April 2012.

“The Night of Stars” was the theme of the graduation night party. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 9

AIT students give to Thai orphanage

AIT’s Student Union opened up its wallet and heart by donating 16,000 Thai Baht to a rural orphanage in Thailand run by the organization “Baan Unrak” or House of Joy.

Spirit of togetherness marks AIT Cultural Show 2012

The auditorium of AIT’s Conference Center, which was deluged in October 2011, became an arena where togetherness and interna- tionality was on display during the AIT Cul- tural Show held on 21 April 2012.

AIT’s top talent draws interest at Career Fair 2012

Professional recruiters from 31 en- SU Research Poster Showcase shines terprises set up booths across the spotlight on AIT students’ work expanse of the vacant ground floor of the library at the AIT Career Fair 20 research posters from AIT’s three Schools were displayed on 25 April 2012. on 29 May 2012 showcasing students’ research work. events AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 10

AIT Returns Home

Experts discussed about sustainability at the program “AIT Returns Home: Towards a Sustain- able Future,” which was organized to mark AIT’s return to its home campus on 24 February 2012.

Completion ceremony of Professional Master's in Banking and Finance Adaptation Forum 2012 Twenty-one students were awarded professional AIT and UNEP’s Regional Resource Centre transcripts at the completion ceremony of the for Asia and Pacific (RRC.AP) were prominent Professional Master’s In Banking and Finance partners in organizing Adaptation Forum 2012 at (PMBF) program by AIT on 9 March 2012. UN ESCAP headquarters in Bangkok on 12-13 Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand, H.E. March 2012. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossian graced the occasion. new initiatives AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 11

AIT has always been known for its new initiatives. Despite the flood, AIT has continued to move ahead, be it dual doctoral programs, scholarships or its new Research Strategy.

New AIT Research Strategy 2012-2016 will change AIT, VP Research assures

AIT launches its first dual doctoral program with Sokendai, Japan

iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle versions of AIT Newsletter launched

AIT unveils 40 annual Norwegian QR Codes for AIT scholarships for Myanmar students launched new initiatives AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 12

AIT launches Bachelor’s Remote Sensing Technology program in Bio-systems Center of Japan (RESTEC) signs Engineering and Environmental MoU with AIT Engineering

Remote Sensing Technology Center of AIT launched a four-year collaborative Japan (RESTEC) signed a MoU promote international Bachelor’s degree programs in research and dissemination of remote sensing Bio-systems Engineering and Environmental technology in the region. Engineering with SAITM, Sri Lanka.

Deal with China’s GESIE Tian AIT and CSR Asia renew He Center positions partnership for ten more years AIT inked a MoU with Guangdong Edu- cation Service of International Exchang- Hong Kong based CSR Asia Ltd. and es TianHe Center (GESIE) to establish AIT extended their existing partnership a foothold for academic partnerships in for the next ten years. Guangdong province. new initiatives AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 13

AIT the hub for international effort to map Philippine flood from space

As the Philippines struggled with devastating floods, Dr. Masahiko Nagai of AIT’s SET emerged as the focal point of an international effort to produce satellite imagery and high resolution maps to aid disaster relief operations.

SU welcomes you to Your AIT story

“Familiar strangers” is how Ms. Wang Lin, a Master’s student at AIT describes a lot of AITians as she launched a weekly know your fellow AITians column titled “Your AIT story.” Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur ties up

Colorado State University and AIT to develop joint research Indian Institute of Crop Processing program Technology tie up Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology Collins, Colorado, USA and AIT signed an (IICPT) signed an MoU on 25 June 2012. MoU on 10 August 2012. Charter AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 14

Government of Bangladesh Viet Nam joins AIT Council ratifies the AIT Charter Viet Nam became the fifteenth signa- tory and the eighth country to ratify the Bangladesh became the seventh country to AIT Charter. It became the first ASEAN ratify the new AIT Charter at the meeting of country to ratify the Charter. the Council of Ministers of Bangladesh held at the capital city of Dakha on 2 January 2012.

Cambodia joins AIT Council

Cambodia deposited the Instrument of Acceptance to the AIT Charter with the Royal Thai Government on 3 September 2012 becoming the ninth country to do so. Partner support AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 15

AIT's partners continued to support the Institute in the post-flood scenario.

University of British Columbia hosts four AIT post-flood students

Almost 300 such positions have been offered by various partner institutions to AIT students.

Télécoms Sans Frontière chief assures AIT of support, keen to continue partnership

Eight AITians participated in an AIT training in September 2012.

FAO to strengthen engagement with AIT

Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific at AIT. visitors/meetings AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 16

Thailand Deputy PM Yongyuth and Justice Minister Pracha Promnok express support

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Hon. Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit expressed his full support for AIT in two separate meetings held on 9 December 2011 and 15 March 2012.

Timor Leste Ambassador assures help to AIT

Ambassador of Timor Leste to Thailand, H.E. Mr. João Freistas de Câmara, visited AIT on 25 April 2012 and assured support for its capacity building in his country.

AIT is a Center of Excellence in many fields: Indonesian Ambassador

Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Thailand, H. E. Mr. Lutfi Rauf complimented AIT during his visit to the Institute on 22 March 2012.

US Embassy official visits AIT, Myanmar outreach and LMI discussed

Mr. Joseph Bagga-Taves, Thailand Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officer, Economic Section, U.S. Embassy, Bangkok discussed America’s Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) and outreach with Myanmar in a visit to AIT on 13 September 2012. visitors/meetings AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 17

Former Thai PM speaks at Plenary Session

Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Hon. Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered the plenary speech at the conference “Changing Asia - Changing Governance: Governance Academy” on 25 April 2012.

Nakornnayok Governor courts AIT for creating a smart province

Governor of Thailand’s province of Nakornnayok, Dr. Surachai Srisarakham offered 100 rai of land free of cost during a visit on 10 May 2012.

Japan Govt Scholarship Program to AIT contributes to regional development: Ambassador Kojima

Ambassador of Japan to Thailand H.E. Mr. Seiji Kojima hosted a function to honor AIT’s Japanese Government Scholarship Recipients on 25 May 2012.

Social Business Symposium is a good effort by AIT: Prof. Muhammad Yunus

Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus delivered the keynote address at the Social Business Symposium jointly organized by AIT on 8 May 2012. visitors/meetings AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 18

Sri Lankan President inquires Oman Minister at AIT about satellite center H.E. Dr. Fuad Bin Jaafar Al-Sajwani, Minister Sri Lanka President H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Sultanate of expressed interest on the status of AIT plans to Oman, visited AIT on 30 May 2012 to explore open a branch campus in his country in a meet- collaboration in the areas of agriculture and ing with the AIT President on 31 May 2012 in aquaculture. Bangkok, Thailand.

German Ambassador assures Kenya Ambassador visits AIT support H.E. Dr. Richard Titus Ekai, Ambassador of Ke- Ambassador of Germany to Thailand, H.E. Mr. nya to Thailand, visited AIT on 29 February 2012 Rolf Schulze visited the AIT temporary office in to witness the signing ceremony of a Memoran- Bangkok in the immediate aftermath of the flood. dum of Understanding (MoU) with Multimedia University College (MMU) of Kenya. honors AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 19

AIT students win BicyRobo Thailand Championship

AIT’s “MECHA BIKE” team of Rewat Bunchan and Surachat Chantarachit won the first position at the 2nd annual BicyRobo Thailand Championship.

AIT student awarded IPCC grant

Ms. Rizwana Subhani was one of the nine recipients of a grant from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Governor honors AIT President for exceptional leadership during the flood

Prof. Said Irandoust was presented with a commemo- rative plaque by the Governor of Bangkok, Hon. M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra at the Fifth Save our Planet Conference organized on 5 January 2012.”

AIT professor AIT professor featured in featured in special 'COP' Asian Water newsletter Prof. Chettiyappan Prof. Sivanappan Visvanathan was Kumar was fea- featured in the mag- tured in special azine ‘Asian Water’ COP Newsletter in its four-page fea- of the Technology ture on Bangkok’s Needs Assess- water problems. ment (TNA) pro- gram. honors AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 20

AIT President awarded for outstanding contribution to education

AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust was honored at the First World Education Congress at Mumbai on 29 June 2012.

Dr. Teerapat selected member of Our man in the UNDP Asia-Pacific Board of Governors of Thai Public Human Development Report 2012 Broadcasting Service Asst. Prof. Cle- Dr. Teerapat San- mens Grunbuhel guankotchakorn, contributed the- has been selected matic case stud- as a member of ies on Ganges- Board of Gover- Brahmaputra nors of Thai Public and Mekong Broadcasting Ser- River delta re- vice (TPBS). gions in the Asia- Pacific Human Development Report 2012, published by the United Nations Development Programme.

AIT student Ashik Rajbhandari AIT Researcher honored takes prize at 14th APNG Camp Dr. Alfredo Anceno Presenting his re- was awarded the search entitled “Topic World Water Con- - Geo Mapping of Di- gress fellowship by saster Information Us- the International Wa- ing Ontology,” at 14th ter Association (IWA). APNG Camp held in Seoul, South Korea, new PhD student Mr. AshikRajbhandari (RS/GIS), impressed the Asia Pacific Networking Group (APNG) com- munity and was awarded the runner-up prize for best research presentation. book releases AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 21

Despite immense pressure, relocation and post-flood trauma, AIT’s dedicated faculty continued to flourish producing research papers, publications and books.

AIT faculty’s book on groundwater released

A book titled “Kathmandu Valley Groundwater Out- look”, edited by Dr. Sangam Shrestha was launched dur- ing the ‘Nepal National Water Week 2012’ celebrations on AIT professor 22 March 2012. publishes book on air quality management

Professor N. T. Kim Oanh published a book titled “In- tegrated air quality man- agement: Asian case stud- ies.” Published by the CRC Press (USA), it reports some of the major results of AIT research coopera- tion in Asia. Book by Dr. Sundar Venkatesh

Dr. Sundar Venkatesh, Advi- sor, AIT Extension, published a book on “Fundamental Accounting Principles.” Pu- bished by McGraw Hill, the book covers both financial accounting and managerial accounting. book releases AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 22

Two books by Dr. Kyoko Kusabake

AIT Associate Professor Kyoko Kusakabe has contributed mightily to the field of gender studies in Asia with the release of two scholarly pub- lications that are destined to become required reading.

A faculty member of the School of Environment, Resources and De- velopment’s Gender and Development field of study, Assoc. Prof. Ku- sakabe recently co-authored one book titled “Thailand’s Hidden Work- force: Burmese Migrant Women Factory Workers” and edited another titled “Gender, Roads and Mobility in Asia.” Both works have received considerable favorable reviews from experts in academia, nongovern- mental organizations and the media.

Book by Dr. Siddharth Jabade

A book coauthored by Dr. Siddharth K. Jabade, AIT’s Director of In- novation and Intellectual Property Rights, has been released by CRC Press. Titled “Nanotechnology Intellectual Property Rights: Research, Design, and Commercialization,” the book dwells on the evolving pat- ent landscape in Nanotechnology.

Book by Dr. Philippe Doneys

A book titled “Mainstreaming Human Security: Asian Perspec- tives” edited by a team including Dr. Philippe Doneys of the Gender and Development Studies (GDS) field of study at AIT’s School of Environment Resources and Development (SERD) has been released. alumni AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 23

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn confers National Outstanding Person Award to Alumnus Prof. Wongwises

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as the Representative of His Majesty the King Bhumibol of Thailand, con- ferred the National Outstanding Person (Science and Technology) pin to Prof. Somchai Wongwises, an AIT alumnus.

Alumnus chosen best CFO in Thailand

AIT alumnus Mr. Chaovalit Ekabut has been selected as the best Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Thailand.

AIT alumna made Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Education

An alumna of AIT, Ms. Panita Kambhu Na Ayutthaya, has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Royal Thai Government.

AIT alumnus elected to public office in Australia

Dr. Shahadat Chowdhury won the local government election in New South Wales (NSW), Australia He has been elected to the Parramatta City Council, and will serve for four years. Donations AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 24

AIT received help from numerous friends after the flood. This is an overview of some of the donations.

Japan’s University of Yamanashi supports AIT with 1 million Yen

The assistance was extended on 2 December 2011 by Prof. Futaba Kazama, Dr. Kei Nishida, and Dr. Takeshi Nakamura.

AITAA Japan Chapter hands over 2.6 million Yen in flood NEF-CCN donates 300,000 relief from alumni, former Baht for AIT library faculty and AIT friends in Japan Nepal Education Foundation-Consortium of Colleges (NEF-CCN) donated 300,000 Mr. Yoshiaki Shimura, President of AITAA Baht to AIT. Japan Chapter, handed over 2,660,000 Japanese Yen and 10,000 Baht. Donations AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 25

A mother’s gratitude to her son’s alma mater

Among the touching stories in AIT’s post- flood recovery was one on 18 July 2012, when Ms. Chomchai Morya, a proud mother of an AIT alumnus Mr. Kewin Morya (1998), arrived at the AIT campus with a 100,000 THB donation to help the Institute.

Tohoku University gifts 1 million Yen to AIT

Prof. Hideki Harada and Prof. Tatsuo Omura handed over a donation of 1 million Yen on 25 February 2012.

EBARA donates 1 million Yen to AIT

The donation was handed over by a delegation of EBARA Corporation comprising of Mr. Kiyoshi Hi- rono, Executive General Manager; Mr. Katsufumi Nakano, Managing Director; and Ms. Kornkanok Naprasertjkul, Administrative and Office Manager.

University of Borås students begin fund AIT Alumni Affairs Office collects raising drive for AIT 9 million Baht

Students from University of Borås AIT Alumni Affairs Office has collected 9,101,445 Baht in Sweden launched a fundraising so far, courtesy of contributions from various individual drive immediately after AIT was hit alumni, alumni chapters, former faculty and staff, and by floodwaters on 21 October 2011. friends of AIT. Outreach/projects AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 26

World Bank aided training

As part of a World Bank-funded project, AIT will train more than 400 personnel from Pakistan’s electric power distribution sector through a two-month intensive professional development program. Ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Sohail Mahmood, participated in the inaugural program on 29 April 2012.

Capacity building in Timor Leste

Ambassador of Timor Leste, H.E. Mr. João Freistas de Câmara attended the opening ceremony of the University Foundation Program (UFP) under the Human Capital Development Fund (FDCH) program. 22 students arrived at AIT to participate.

Reinventing the Toilet

Dr. Thammarat Koottatep received two projects from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, namely “Sustainable decentralized wastewater management in developing countries” and “Innovation on Sanitation.” The projects are worth THB 149,991,660 and THB 26,124,360 respectively. Outreach/projects AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 27

Post Flood Projects

Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh

Successfully received a grant of THB 5,542,800 from U.S. Agency for International Development and National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the project “Assessment of impacts of the emission reduction measures of short- lived climate forcers on air quality and climate in South East Asia”

Dr. Sutat Weesakul

Received a research grant of THB Dr. Erik L.J. Bohez 6,297,196 from Team Consulting & Engineering Management Co.Ltd. The Received a research grant from the Provincial project is titled “Physical Hydraulic Model Electricity Authority (PEA) Thailand for the project Study of Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power “Optimal design of Turbine Geometry for small Project Lao PDR”. hydroelectric Power plant of PEA”. reconstruction AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements 28

Post-flood Reconstruction

AIT International School AIT Consulting

Renovated buildings of AIT International School and AIT Consulting.

AIT Auditorium Architect’s rendition of reconstruction plans for various AIT buildings.

AIT Library

AIT Lecture Theatre

Produced by the Media and Communications Unit of the Asian Institute of Technology. [email protected]