WEEK #21: 22 – 28 May 2017

 

 In this issue:

 

A. Announcements

B. Events

C. Campus Updates

D. Visitors

E. Faculty and Staff Travel

F. Classifieds (Jobs)

 

 A. Announcements

 

 

(i)    2016 Teaching and Researcher Awards

 

Message from VPAA: 16 May 2017

Dear AIT Faculty and Staff,
I am pleased to announce the selection of the following faculty for the

1. Teaching Awards:
    a. Dr. Pham Huy Giao (GTE/SET) for <15 students category
    b. Dr. Vimolwan Yukongdi (SOM) for ≥ 15 students category

The teaching award is entirely based on student evaluation/feedback of the courses taught in 2016.
2. Researcher Awards:
    a. Dr. Mongkol Ekpanyapong (ISE/SET) in the Junior category
    b. Prof. M. S. Babel (WEM/SET) in the Senior category

The researcher award is based on the evaluation of faculty's sponsored activities and publications.
All faculty who had completed(submitted) the details in the Annual Summary of faculty activities were considered for the award.

Our warmest congratulations to these colleagues on this recognition.
The awards will be presented during the coming May 2017 graduation ceremony.
The members of the evaluation committee for both the awards were: VPAA (Chair), VPA, VPD, Dean SERD, Dean SOM and Dean SET.
My sincere thanks to the members of the evaluation committee for their participation, comments and inputs in making this selection.

With best regards,
Professor S. Kumar
Vice President for Academic Affairs

(ii)    Farewell Message from SU President

Dear AITians,

Warm Greetings from the Student Union,

The semester has come to an end. First of all I would like to congratulate all the graduates for the successful completion of your degree. It is the big day we have been living for. Yet, it is not the end but the new beginning towards the next goals, to your dreams.

Same as the semester, the Student Union team of January 2017 has done its part for AIT. It has been an invaluable memory and experience of 8-9 months of planning and working since I had become SU Vice President. The great privilege of becoming the representative of more than 2000 students from all around the world, was indeed an out of the world feeling, and responsibility too.

I would like to thank the students and the AIT Community, staffs and faculties for making our all events successful. Had it not been you, the SU would have no meaning. A student's concern, need and involvement was and will always be a SU Team's primary objective. We tried to deliver our best by organizing activities to bring the students together.

I would like to also thank AIT Administration and OFAM for their continuous support towards the students and SU. We have had many new events and initiations, yet they have never failed to serve the community with willing hearts.

Throughout all these months, the volunteers have been giving their time & sweat for the SU, I would like to thank them from the deepest corner of my heart. If it was not them, any activity would not have been possible. A big thank you from each and every member of the team.

One very important set of people that if I don't thank, would be a crime, are the SU Team members. The SU Team was on full swing the entire semester running around to give you the max. I would sincerely thank them and wish that in future if I have to work in a team, it be with people like them, friendly and hard working. Thank you and Congratulations to the SU Team.

I would like to turn over the tenure to Mr Sudheer Yadav from this very moment, your new SU President and wish him for a very successful and effective tenure.

Thanks once again for believing in me, for electing me to be your representative and today I am not proud that I was a SU President but I am proud that I could be a representative of more than 2000 students from across the world and to serve you.
 
Wishing you and your family a great holiday!

Best Regards,

Piraya Lueprasitsakul,
SU President,
Asian Institute of Technology

(iii)    Condolence - Passing away of the father of Prof. Jayant K. Routray, Professor in the DDS

AIT Community wish to express our condolences and sympathies to Prof. Jayant Kumar Routray of  the Department of Development and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) and his family over the passing away of  his father on 15 May 2017 in India.

(iv)    Invitation to attend the LUT Summer School at Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland

Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), AIT’s partner university in Finland is organizing a Summer School from 17 July – 11 August 2017
Application is now open and will end on 21 May.  The summer school is an academic event, offering 16 Master’s level courses in the fields of technology and business.

LUT accept final-year Bachelor’s and Master’s level students with background in technology and business.

There will be two available slots with free accommodation, 1 lunch/day and all social activities, and tuition fee for students who will get selected for LUT Summer School. However, the student has to cover the visa, travelling and personal costs during stay in LUT.

To apply, please follow the procedure below:

1)    Students submit the online application form (http://www.lut.fi/web/en/admissions/lut-summer-school/application-and-fees )
2)  Send an official transcript of records to summerschool@lut.fi .
3) Send a copy of the application and transcript to oexr@ait.asia  and carol@ait.asia

For further  information about the LUT Summer School, please see at: www.lut.fi/summerschool
Course: http://www.lut.fi/web/en/admissions/lut-summer-school/academic-guidelines/courses;jsessionid=E22935025F89946C869EA40001BDB231.wwwlut2

(v)    ASEAN-US Women's Science Prize Launched

The third annual ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women was launched on 3 May 2017 by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global safety science company.

This is a great opportunity for support and recognition for women scientists in Thailand. For further information, please see the links below.

Press release: https://asean.usmission.gov/launch-asean-u-s-science-prize-women/ - shortened link: https://go.usa.gov/x5V9r
Application website: https://asean.usmission.gov/2017-asean-u-s-science-prize-women/  - shortened link: https://go.usa.gov/x5V9G

(vi)    Schwarzman Scholars Now Accepting Applications for Third Batch of Future Leaders

New York & Beijing, April 17, 2017 – Schwarzman Scholars has opened their global application for the third cohort of young leaders. The highly selective, fully-funded scholarship program is designed to ensure that the next generation of business, political, and civil society leaders can effectively serve as bridges between China and the rest of the world. Anchored in an 11-month professional Master’s Degree in Global Affairs at Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University, the Schwarzman Scholars experience encompasses unparalleled opportunities inside and outside the classroom, including extensive leadership training, a network of senior mentors, practical training/internships, and travel seminars around China. Scholars will learn about the emergence of China as an economic and political force from world‐class faculty from leading institutions and guest speakers at the state‐of‐the‐art Schwarzman College. The dynamic core curriculum offers the choice of concentrations in public policy, international studies, or business and economics.

The scholarship aims to build a professionally diverse cohort each year and welcomes undergraduates, graduates, and young professionals up to age 28 of any citizenship who are proficient in English and have obtained an undergraduate degree. A Schwarzman Scholar should demonstrate extraordinary leadership potential, the ability to anticipate paradigm changes, strong intellectual capacity, and exemplary character. Eligible applicants from any field are invited to apply.

The application can be found on the Schwarzman Scholars website, www.schwarzmanscholars.org  and will be open until 11:59PM on September 28, 2017.

Learn more at www.schwarzmanscholars.org , like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchwarzmanScholars , and follow us on Twitter at @SchwarzmanOrg .

See more details: https://www.facebook.com/AITasia/posts/10155198729249709

(vii)    CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: TRAINING PROGRAMME ON ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
O

rganizers: the United Nations Development Programme and the United States Agency for International Development Adapt Asia-Pacific Project in cooperation with the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, Asian Institute of Technology, under the Climate Change Asia Initiative.

Dates: 21 August to 1 September 2017
Venue: United Nations Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand

Objective: The training programme aims to equip government officials and other stakeholders in the Asia and the Pacific region with economic tools necessary to identify, prioritize, design and implement climate-resilient projects and policies, formulate national adaptation plans and access climate finance for adaptation action.
Content:

  •     Introduction to key economic principles and review of impacts of climate change in Asia and the Pacific
  •     Assessment of economic impacts of climate change, cost-benefit analysis of investment projects and climate-proofing options
  •     Proposal development

Target audience: (1) Policy and technical staff from line ministries and national agencies who are involved in national adaptation planning process, development of project proposals on climate change adaptation and mainstreaming climate change adaptation issues into national strategies and plans; and (2) Experts in the field of economics or statistics from governmental, non-governmental and academic institutions who are involved in economic analysis of climate change adaptation actions and climate-resilient investments.    

The training programme is limited to 25 participants as follows:

  • Ten participants from target countries of the UNDP “Economics of Climate Change Adaptation” capacity building programme, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, will receive full scholarships covering travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses.
  • Five participants from Thailand and 10 participants from other countries of Asia and the Pacific can attend on a self-funded basis.  

 

Further details on the application process are available at www.rrcap.ait.asia/ecca

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2017.

AIT personnel are welcome to apply and requested to forward this information to other colleagues who may be interested.

For more information, please contact: ecca@rrcap.ait.asia

(viii)    New Locations of the Offices in the Administration Building

The Administration Building will be renovated from Jan – June 2017. Most offices in the building have started moving to AIT Conference Center and other buildings. Below is the list of the new location of Administration Offices:

President: Presidential Lounge, AITCC
VP Administration: Room B138
VP Academic Affairs: Room B136
VP Development: Room B130
Office of the President and Office of the Institute Secretary: Room B144B
Office of Academic Administration: Room B144A
Office of Human Resource Services: Room B109
Office of Internal Auditor: Room B113
Office of External Relation and Office of Host Country Relation: B115
Office of Special Degree Program: B115
Office of Advancement: Room 102 (ground floor), Outreach Building
Office of Finance: Room 225 (2nd Floor)
Office of GRU: Room 223 (2nd Floor)
Office of Purchasing and Inventory Procurement: Admin (No Change)
Office of Student and Affairs: Admin (No Change)

 

 

 

 

B. Events

 

(i)    EVENTS

(a)    Innovation Lab Open House, AIT Solutions: 24 May 2017

AIT Solutions will organize an Open House of its Innovation Lab (ilab) on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at AIT Solutions. There will be the introduction of the lab by Dr. Naveed Anwar, Executive Director of AIT solutions, through the presentation and exhibition of on-going innovation.

More details: http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2017/events/innovation-lab-ilab-open-house/#.WRz47tylaUk

(b)    AIT Day Philippines: 27 May 2017

An AIT Day Philippines will be organized on 27 May 2017, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Performing Arts Theater, 6th Floor, Engineering Complex, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines.

More details: http://www.ait.asia/news-and-events/2017/events/ait-day-philippines/#.WRv69NylaUk

(c)    Blood Donation: 8 June 2017

The Thai Red Cross Society has been working with volunteer students and staff to collect units of blood from the AIT community. The bloodmobile visits AIT every three months, four times a year, hoping to collect enough units to supply the constant demand for blood.

We again would like to ask for your help. The next visit for blood donation is scheduled on Thursday, 8 June 2017, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at the parking lot in front of the AIT Conference Center.

(ii)    LECTURES / SEMINARS / CONFERENCE

(a)    UN Open Dialogue & Press Briefing: 23 May 2017

UN Environment will organize “UN Open Dialogue & Press Briefing” on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, 12:00-15:00 hrs., at The Foreign Correspondents Club, Bangkok

Smarter, Greener, Cleaner?

Market Leaders and Top Experts Rethink Economic Risk & Opportunity as Region Faces Climate Rage

WHO ?

Chairman of Global CEO Alliance, James Donovan; CEO
AXA Insurance, Thailand, Martin Rueegg
Chief Scientist at UN Environment, Jian Liu;
Executive Director APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC-CTF), Surachai Sathitkunarat;  
Global Director of IUCN's Biodiversity Conservation Group, Dr Jane Smart
Director of  UK Energy Research Centre, Professor Paul Ekins
Vice President of the Asian Institute of Technology, Surendra Shrestha

Unprecedented economic growth is putting heavy pressure on natural resources in the Asia-Pacific region.  Unsustainable consumption patterns have led to worsening water quality, air pollution, land degradation and waste generation; threatening human and environmental health and costing the economy billions, annually.  The region is also the most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events and natural disasters, with climate change costing the regional economy an estimated US $1,076 billion and impacting the lives of 4.5 billion people in the last 15 years. Yet, the region continues to be the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Smarter, greener and cleaner investments of around US $2.5 trillion a year, between 2013 and 2030, can transform the region into a hub for sustainability.

So, are we moving in the right direction? Fast enough? Soon enough?

TO PARTICIPATE
Please send an email confirmation to:  rehana.velji@unep.org

Lunch and refreshments will be served during the course of the event

For more information, please contact:
Shereen Zorba, Head, Science-Policy & Knowledge Networks, UN Environment,  shereen.zorba@unep.org  , Tel/Whatsapp: +254 788 526 000, Skype: shereen.zorba

(b)    ELLTA Conference: Perspectives on Leadership, Learning and Social Enterprise in Asia – 25 – 27 July 2017

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and ELLTA, as Co-hosts, welcome you to the fourth International, Academic Conference of ELLTA: ‘Perspectives on Leadership, Learning and Social Enterprise in Asia’ –� Sharpening Focus on Research Collaborations and Publications.
The conference invites original contributions on the following Key Themes:

  •     Leadership in/ and Context (Asia)
  •     Learning Organisation/ Organisational Learning in Context (Asia)
  •     Enterprise-led Development, Social Business and Transformation: Perspectives from Asia
  •      Researching Context/ Context-based  Research
  •     Learning and Change: Asia in Focus

More details: http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2017/events/elta-conference-perspectives-on-leadership-learning-and-social-enterprise-in-asia/#.WNh7SGelaUk

 

 

 

C. Campus Updates

 

(i)    Survey of chiller pipes and AC units in SET and SERD buildings

Please be informed that as part of the Air Conditioning improvement project, Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM) is planning to renovate chilled water pipes in SERD and SET buildings. To plan the proposed improvement,  Subcontractor (VSN) accompanied by TM staff and OFAM staff  will enter SET and SERD buildings and even into the rooms to survey chilled water pipes and AC units to check their current conditions and to propose the plan of renovation.

The survey is planned from Thursday, 11th – Monday, 22nd May 2017.

Please note that survey may include the need to open the ceilings in the corridors and even in the rooms. We request kind support to conduct the survey and apologize for any inconveniences it may cause.

(ii)    Dorm H Renovation

Please be informed that the renovation of dorm H has started since 20 March 2017. The renovation of the dorm H is scheduled to be completed by end of May 2017

During this renovation period, there might be loud noise or disturbance on the pathway near dorm H. In this regard, the Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM) requests your kind understanding.

(iii)    Temporary Relocation of Photo Vending Machine from Administration to Cafeteria

Please be informed that due to the renovation of the ground floor of the Administration Building, the photo vending machine has been moved temporarily to Cafeteria (entrance opposite Korea House).

 

 

 

D. Visitors

 

•    Delegation (46 students and 4 lecturers) from Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia, led by Prof. Dr. Rita Nurmalina, Head of Study Program of the 7th International Agribusiness Field Trip to Thailand  / 24 May 2017 / to visit AIT and meet with faculty members related to Agribusiness Managemen

 

 

 

 


E. Faculty and Staff Travel

 

Mr. Gyanendra Sthaphit / Dehradun, India / 15 – 21 December 2017*
Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi / Hyderabad, India / 15 – 18 February 2017*
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Dubai and Oman / 5 – 13 March 2017*
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 27 – 29 March 2017*
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Singapore / 2 – 5 April 2017*
Mr. Syed Muntasir Husain Bokhari / Denpasar Bali, Indonesia / 8 – 30 May 2017
Mr. Voravate Chonlasin / Vientiane, Lao PDR / 5 May – 5 June 2017
Dr. Joyee S. Chaterjee / Los Angeles & San Diego & New York, U.S.A. / 12 May – 1 June 2017
Dr. Anil Kumar Anal / Vienna, Austria / 13 – 25 May 2017
Dr. Md. Bilal Sadiq / Montpellier, France and Pisa, Italy / 13 May – 5 June 2017
Miss Manisha singh / Liege, Belgium and Pisa, Italy / 13 May – 5 June 2017
Dr. Noppadol Phien-wej / Gilgit, Pakistan / 15 – 22 May 2017
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Gilgit, Pakistan / 15 – 22 May 2017
Mr. Muhammad Amir Izhar / Gilgit, Pakistan / 15 – 22 May 2017
Mr. Supote Thammasithirong / Nakhon Pathom, Thailand / 15 – 18 May 2017*
Mr. Fazle Karim / Denpasar Bali, Indonesia / 16 – 18 May 2017*
Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe / Yangon, Myanmar / 17 – 20 May 2017*
Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe / Phnom Penh / 20 – 23 May 2017
Mr. Voravate Chonlasin / Siemreap, Cambodia / 21 – 24 May 2017
Dr. Thammarat Koottatep / Chennai, India / 21 – 25 May 2017
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dash / Addis Ababa Bole, Ethiopia / 21 – 26 May 2017
Ms. Thaniya Jirasathitpornpong / Hanoi, Vietnam / 21 – 30 May 2017
Mr. Fazle Karim / Hanoi, Vietnam / 22 – 24 May 2017
Mr. Surendra Shrestha / Manila, Philippines / 24 – 28 May 2017
Mr. Voravate Chonlasin / Dhaka, Bangladesh / 24 – 28 May 2017
Ms. Carol C. Guzman / Manila and CDO, Philippines / 24 – 28 May 2017
Mr. Sufian Etea / Dhaka, Bangladesh / 24 – 28 May 2017
Prof. C. Visvanathan / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 24 – 31 May 2017
Dr. Pisut Koomsap / Manila and Cagayan de Oro, Philippines / 25 – 28 May 2017
Dr. P. Abdul Salam / Manila and Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines / 25 – 28 May 2017
Amalia S. Canullas / Manila and Cagayan de Oro, Philippines / 25 – 31 May 2017
Dr. Thammarat Koottatep / Florianopolis, Brazil / 27 May – 5 June 2017

*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)

 

 


F. Classifieds (Jobs)

 

Position: Technical Staff (IT Officer) (Geoinformatics Center)
Ref. No. 16/17
Deadline: 28 May 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/442

Position: Technical Staff (Innovation Lab Technician) (AIT Solutions)
Ref. No. 18/17
Deadline: 31 May 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/449

Position: Administrative Staff (Program Officer) (AIT Extension)
Ref. No. 17/17
Deadline: 31 May 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/443

Position: Administrative Staff (Accommodation Assistant) (Office of Facilities and Assets Management)
Ref. No. 19/17
Deadline: 31 May 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/450

Position: Assistant or Associate Professors Position (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No. Fac. 1/17
Deadline: 30 June 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/434