WEEK #16: 18 – 24 April 2016
In this issue:
Announcements
AIT'S U-MULTIRANK RANKING RESULT FOR 2016
Dear Members of AIT Community
I have the pleasure to share with you the results of the performance of the 2016 U-Multirank multi-dimensional ranking of universities worldwide.
One may recall that the 3 major ranking systems (namely ARWU, QS, and THE) did not allow postgraduate institutes like AIT to participate in the world ranking of universities, except the ranking by subject areas, in which AIT is world-ranked in 3 areas. Also earlier this year on March 1, the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) announced that, among all universities located in Thailand, AIT bagged the highest number of perfect score Rating 5, and rated top in 7 of the 10 disciplines that it officially entered for the first time
U-Multirank is a new multidimensional ranking of higher education institutions, funded by the European Commission. In contrast to existing global rankings which focus on research activities only, U-Multirank is broader and provides information on institutions with different missions. U-Multirank includes more than 300 institutions which have never been visible in global rankings before, a number of them, AIT included, showing very good performance in particular indicators. One may recall that AIT was the only one in Asia among 41 universities worldwide to rank top in the dimension of International Orientation.
U-Multirank system is not confined to research only but takes into account five broad dimensions of university activity: (1) teaching and learning, (2) research, (3) knowledge transfer, (4) international orientation and (5) regional engagement. In 2016, more than 1,300 universities worldwide from 90+ countries participated in the exercise.
In summary, AIT received a full score of A (Excellent) in 8 components, mostly in International Orientation. Due to some criterion change, AIT narrowly missed A grade in "Student Mobility". By far, especially in the “International Dimension”, AIT is well ahead of all universities in Asia.
With this email, I ask that each of us appreciates the diverse roles of all members of the AIT Community, who together have brought AIT to where it is today. However, I must humbly in saying that what we have achieved so far is only a small step, with a long bumpy road ahead of us. Nevertheless, it is an important step that has put us in the right direction. It’s time AIT looks toward the global arena, where the landscape of higher education is even more cloudy.
Happy Songkran New Year to all.
With regards,
Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
AIT President
Special Condolences to Our Japanese Friends on Kyushu Earthquakes
Dear Board Members, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends,
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) offers its deepest condolences to the deceased and those affected by two earthquakes that struck the city of Kumamoto on Thursday and early Saturday last week.
It is saddening to learn that after the moderate 'foreshock' of magnitude 6.2, search and rescue operations were repeatedly disrupted by aftershocks, until the main quake of magnitude 7.3 occurred early on Saturday morning. The epicenters occurred around the city of Kumamoto in Kyushu island at the depth of 10-11 kms. From the news this morning, so far the quakes killed at least 20 people, injured approximately 1,880 and more than 40,000 were evacuated.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our AIT alumni and former AIT faculty colleagues, as well as our Japanese friends and institutional partners.
AIT enjoys a longstanding and close relationship with Japan which has been one of the largest supporters of AIT since its founding in 1959. AIT stands ready to provide any cooperations and whatever assistance that it can in this time of need.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
President
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
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Campus Updates
5 May 2016, Coronation Day Holiday
Based on the confirmed AIT Management Notes on 5 November 2015, agenda 4.2, AIT Official Holiday for 2016, please be informed that 5 May 2016 is a holiday for Coronation Day, replacing the Buddhist Lent Day on 20 July 2016.
Thus, the Buddhist Lent Day on 20 July 2016 is deleted from AIT Official Holiday for 2016.
Trial of Knovel to be extended to 30 April 2016
Please be informed that Knovel, engineering information database will be extended to 30 April 2016.
For more information, please visit the Library's website at this URL: http://203.159.6.13/trialdatabases.htm .
Pizza Promotion at AITCC
The AIT Conference Center (AITCC) welcomes AITians to join its "Pizza with special more cheese" Promotion starting 11 April 2016 until further notice.
Two menus are available for serving - Hawaiian and Chicken Ham.
Buy 1 Get 1 Free!
Price: 129 Bht. at the restaurant; 149 Bht. For take away.
Cancellation of Talad Thai Trip last weekend
Greetings from the AIT Campus Sustainability Club!
Due to Songkran holidays, the trip to Talad Thai during last weekend was cancelled.
The weekly trip to Talad Thai will resume on Saturday, 23 April 2016.
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Events
Collaboration for Innovation
AIT is hosting an AIT Solutions event under the theme Collaboration for Innovation, on 12-13 May 2016 at the AIT Conference Center to highlight its expertise in providing integrated solutions and services to the industry and community, apart from providing a platform for collaborative innovation.
More details: http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2016/events/consultation-for-innovation/#.Vv3l48v-IdU
http://collaborationforinnovation.solutions.ait.asia/
AIT Research Competition 2016
Call for Ideas: AIT Research Competition 2016
Do you have a research / business idea that has the potential to be a scalable solution?
Join the AIT Research Competition, a platform for AIT researchers to develop their research/ business idea to scalable solutions by working with industry experts and venture capitalists. Winners will have the opportunity to access adequate funds, technical assistance, and guidance required to bring your innovative ideas to life.
More details at these links : http://collaborationforinnovation.solutions.ait.asia/download/Poster_event.pdf
http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2016/events/ait-research-competition-2016/#.VwHXKcv-IdU
TU Symphony Orchestra to present “In the Orchestra Pit” Concert
Thammasat University Symphony Orchestra proudly presents “In the Orchestra Pit” concert to be held on Thursday, 21 April 2016, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the auditorium of Lecture Complex 4 Building - LC.4 (part of the Faculty of Science) at Thammasat University, Rangsit Center.
Free Mini Bus services at 6:20 p.m., 6:40 p.m., and 9:15 p.m. are available in front of Thammasat Hospital to concert goers from AIT. See more details from Facebook / Instagram: tuorchestra #IntheOrchestraPit #Tuorchestra
ADMISSION is FREE!
For more information, please see from the following link:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5UcFNjCxXSTcFVQMzloMlRkeGc
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Visitors
- Delegation from Khairun University (Unkhair), Indonesia / 19 Apr. 2016 / to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between AIT and Khairun University, Indonesia
- Delegation from Theun-Hinboun Power Company (THPC), Lao PDR, led by Mr. Robert R. Allen, Jr. General Manager / 25 Apr. 2016 / to hand over a cheque for the full scholarship
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Faculty and Staff Travel
Dr. Nophea Sasaki / Phnom Penh, Cambodia / 4 – 6 April 2016
Mr. Keerati Tunthasuwatana / Dhaka, Bangladesh / 6 – 8 April 2016
Dr. Matthew Dailey / Singapore / 7 – 8 April 2016
Ms. Colleen Curran / Yerevan, Armenia / 10 – 18 April 2016
Mr. Sanjeev Pradeep Jayasinghe / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 17 – 23 April 2016
Prof. Sivanapan Kumar / China / 20 – 22 April 2016
Dr. Masahiko Nagai / Manila, Philippines / 20 – 23 April 2016
Dr. Shinichi Nakamura / Chiang Mai, Thailand / 22 – 24 April 2016
Dr. Noppadol Phienwej / San Franscisco, California, USA / 22 April – 1 May 2016
Ms. Colleen Curran / Suva, Fiji / 24 April – 5 May 2016
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
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Classifieds (Jobs)
Administrative Officer (Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific)
Ref No: 13/16
Deadline: 23 April 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/369
Administrative Officer (Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific)
Ref. No: 14/16
Deadline: 23 April 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/370
Assistant or Associate Professor Positions (School of Engineering & Technology)
Ref No: 7/15
Deadline: 30 April 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/322
Head, Human Resources Office (Human Resources Office)
Ref no: 7/16
Deadline: April 30, 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/363
Assistant or Associate Professors Positions (School of Management)
Ref. No: Fac 5/15
Deadline: 30 June 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/309