Fwd: [Alumnibody] Alumni Scholarship Fund - Update

It has been almost two months since we launched the Alumni Scholarship Fund. We have received some donations from our alumni so far. Our target for the August 2021 intake is to raise USD 10,000 which would be sufficient to provide scholarship support to a few academically  bright and qualified master's students who face economic challenges. Now we have received USD 3,611. We still need another USD 6,389 to reach our goal.

We need YOU to promote this fund amongst your networks to make this campaign a success.

If you would like to give a gift and support the Alumni Scholarship Fund, you can fill up the pledge form attached and send it directly to me at ploypailin@ait.asia

RTG approves Double Tax Incentive for AIT's Donor

Dear Alumni and Potential Donors of AIT

I write to inform the community and friends that AIT is able to secure a double-tax incentive for donors of AIT effectively from 28 March 2018. This means that any Thai corporate/individual who donates to AIT can deduct 200% of the donated amount in the tax calculation. For example, a person with tax bracket at 35% who donates 100 Baht will be able to save an income tax of 70 Baht.  

I have been working on this sensitive issue since 2014 after all Thai universities, public or private, were given the double-tax incentive for their donors. AIT was not included because it is neither a Thai private or public university. By its Enabling Act, "the Institute shall be exempt from compliance with the law on private schools and the law on the National Education Council".

I have been in consultation with the Prime Minister Secretariat on this matter since 2014. Only last year, thanks to the strong support of the PM's Secretary General, a solution was found. A proposal was submitted to the RTG Cabinet on 17 October 2017 (Attachment #2) to issue a new Royal Decree specifically for AIT, under another category of higher education institutes set up in cooperation with Specialized Agencies (SEATO). Hence, this new Royal Decree (Attachment #1 in Thai) was issued on 24 March 2018 to be effective on 28 March, one day after the RTG Gazette was announced.

I did not announce this good news earlier, as we should, by courtesy, wait for the Official Announcement from the Revenue Department (RD) first. After checking last week, the RD confirmed that the double-tax incentive for AIT's Donors was already effective since 28 March and run until 31 December 2018. Then next year, under a new Royal Gazette, the original list of eligible universities will be expanded to include AIT. They suggest that the AIT's official receipts for donors should always make reference to this specific Royal Decree.

I would like to thank Khun Chalita Lertpinyo, Director of the Host Country Relation (OHCR), who has persistently helped follow up on this particular issue for the last 3 years until its success.

With kind regards,

Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai

AIT President

21 August 2018

Goodbye Message from AIT President ​Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai

Sent on August 31, 2018

Dear Members of AIT Community

Today is my last day in office as President of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Thus, this will be my last message to you as President.

Yesterday, in the meeting of the Board of Trustees followed by the hand-over ceremony, I took the liberty to make a wide-ranging presentation covering the 'big picture' of history, present and future challenges of AIT. I am pleased to share a copy with you for your information.

As you know, I have served AIT as President for exactly 5 years and 2 months, initially as Interim President for 1 year, and later as President. A period of 5 years and 2 months is considered to be short when you are having a good time. However it could be terribly long during a tough stressful period. My presidency includes the mix of both. I was recruited basically to save a wrecked ship called AIT in 2013. I believe it was the most challenging period of AIT, with a life-or-death situation. Even under such situation, I have been blessed with the tremendous supports from the great majority of the AIT faculty and staff, who stayed with me to save the ship. Thus I would like to record my sincere appreciation to them all.

During the first 4 years, I have spent most of my efforts in resolving our financial issues, normalizing our relationship with the host country as well as reviving AIT's public image, positioning our academic standing on the world map, and renovating our campus environment and facilities. As William Gibson a famous novelist said: "When you want to know how things really work, study them when they're coming apart." By now, I believe I know very well how things work and do not work at AIT. With this knowledge, I decided to spend my last year trying to comprehend the future challenges of AIT, and how to ensure that AIT has a role to play in the future world of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity). I have communicated to you earlier that AIT must advance its mission from regional to global roles. As we all recognize, AIT is not a conventional university. Thus, we must not actively join the red-hot competition game of university world rankings. In other words, we should not go all the way trying to compete with other national universities who have unlimited resources from their governments. We must play to our strength, i.e., the proud 'international dimension' of AIT. We must take pride on these 2 key products, producing our graduates to be global citizens, and focusing on research for the sustainable future of mankind.

While I have gratefully received supports from all Trustees, I want to make special reference to my deep gratitude to the Chairpersons of the Board, the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee. In my administration, I have been very fortunate to enjoy working with dedicated members of the Management Team, including VPs, Deans, Directors of Responsibility Center and Service Centers. They not only implement our joint management resolutions, but also constantly provide me their honest opinions and independent views. In particular, I want to record my appreciation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof Sivanappan Kumar, who has been on my side for the entire period full of tough challenges. I am blessed to have a very dedicated and most reliable 'Director of President Office' and 'President Executive Secretary' in Ms. Chotiros Mongkolchotirat (Nam), who has made my daily life as President much easier than I could imagine. Finally, as they said, behind every successful man stands a woman in the background. I must thank my wife, Ms. Nongnat (Nora) for her great patience and understanding, and hopefully I will have plenty of time for her after my retirement.

I will miss the satisfaction of seeing how we can make a difference for AIT. However, I will be much satisfied if you could continue the good work and support President Eden Woon in his vision to take AIT to a new height. Thank you all for making the last 5 years and 2 months of my career a real pleasure. Just yesterday, I am thankful to the Board for appointing me "Emeritus Professor", so I can be associated with AIT in my new capacity, even though I may not come to AIT regularly. You can continue to reach me at the same mobile phone and my email, worsak@ait.ac.th.

With appreciation to all,

 

Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai

AIT President

"My View of AIT" from the Board Chairman H.E. Dr Subin Pinkayan

The AIT Board Chairman H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan wishes to share the attached outline of his views towards a "Future AIT Roadmap" as the Institute welcomes the new AIT President Dr. Eden Y Woon, who has taken office from today, September 1, 2018.  

Sincerely,

Office of the Board of Trustees
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

Faculty Position Available in Water Engineering and Management AIT

Faculty Position in Water Engineering and Management 

 

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is an autonomous, international and inter-governmental post-graduate institution that promotes technological change and sustainable development in the Asian-Pacific region and beyond through higher education, research and outreach activities. Established in Thailand in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution and is actively working with the public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some top universities in the world. It offers Bachelors, Master's and Doctoral degrees, diploma and certificate programs in engineering, science, planning and management, and serves over

2,300 students from many countries across Asia and beyond. For more information please visit website  www.ait.ac.th .

 

The Water  Engineering and Management (WEM)  is a program of Department of  Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) under the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) at AIT. It imparts education and training towards understanding the complexity of water cycle, utilization, and management. It offers a balanced curriculum in both engineering and management aspects of water resources in five focal areas: agricultural water, coastal water, urban water, water resources, and extreme events and risk management.

 

The Asian Institute of Technology (www.ait.ac.th) is inviting applications from well qualified candidates for a direct-hire faculty position in the Water Engineering and Management program. Applications will be considered at the Assistant Professor level with specific qualifications and expected responsibilities as follows:

 

Qualifications

1.   The candidate must have a doctorate degree in Civil or Hydraulics Engineering or related fields with specialization in Hydraulics and Flood Control and Management, Urban Water Management from a well- recognized institution.

2.   Must have competence in teaching courses related to Hydraulics Engineering and Flood Management and ability to supervise research at postgraduate level and to carry out sponsored research projects.

3.   Must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

4.   Experience in Flood Management and Urban Water Management practices in the Asian region will be considered an advantage.

Responsibilities

1.   Teaching post-graduate courses in subject areas including but not limited to Hydrodynamics, River Engineering and Management, Flood Modeling and Management and Urban Water Engineering and Management.

2.   Supervising master and doctoral students' thesis research.

3. Conducting or participating in sponsored research projects, short training courses, seminars/conferences, and other professional activities at the Field, School or Institute levels.

4. Attracting sponsored research projects and developing partnerships with industry, government and international agencies.

5.   Participating in promotional activities to recruit students.

 

Application Process and Appointment Details

After following the established procedure of screening and evaluation of all applications received, the successful candidate is expected to join the Institute at the start of January 2019 semester. The initial appointment is for a period of two years and is renewable depending on performance and productivity.

 

The salary offered to the successful candidate is regionally competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits include provident fund, air travel, settlement grant, education subsidy for dependent children and medical benefits according to provisioned Institute policies and procedure. It is also possible to earn additional income from honorarium by carrying out sponsored research projects and consulting services.

 

Interested applicants must submit either by post or e-mail a letter of intent, complete CV, transcripts for BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees, publication lists and names and addresses of three Referees to the following address.

 

Application deadline: 20 September 2018.

 

The Dean

School of Engineering and Technology

Asian Institute of Technology

P.O. Box 4 Klong Luang 12120

Pathum Thani, Thailand

E-mail: deanset@ait.asia

Tel no. (66-2) 524-6054

Fax no. (66-2) 524-6432