WEEK #19: 9 – 15 May 2016
In this issue:
Announcements
Hosting of Religious Rites by AIT for Former AIT Board Chairman H.E. Dr. Thanat Khoman, 21 May 2016
The Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees and the AIT President would like to cordially invite you to participate in the religious rites ceremony, which AIT will be hosting in honour of the former Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees H.E. Dr. Thanat Khoman. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, 21st May 2016 from 19:00 p.m. at the residence of H.E. Dr. Thanat Khoman between Soi 3 – 5, New Petchaburi Road, Bangkok.
May we request you to please kindly confirm your participation before 13 May 2016 by email to chotirosm@ait.asia , or pratchanan@ait.asia
Email from AIT President
Individual Contributions to TRF Outcome / Invitation to match TRF Grant of 6 m Baht per discipline
Dear Members of the AIT Community,
I refer to AIT’s success in the latest round of the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) University Rating, in which AIT obtained a perfect score (TRF Rating 5) in five disciplines namely:
1. Civil Engineering
2. Industrial Systems Engineering
3. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
4. Energy
5. Environmental Engineering and Management
Although research is only one function of AIT, it is generally regarded as the most important component of higher education. Only a few years back, when AIT was not visible in the major world rankings, while some local universities were at least in the top 1000, it was already presumed that AIT was not as good as what people used to believe. Even some of our vocal alumni lost their trust.
To me, our impressive performance in the TRF Rating is not at all unexpected even at the time of our rebuilding, as this TRF Rating only applies at a national level. However, taking the top TRF honor helped open the eyes of the higher education community in reassuring our academic standard. Having said that, I trust that we all recognize our weakness as well, which we may not be able to overcome due to our uniqueness. Nevertheless, this benchmark provides us with a clue where we need improvement.
As the outcome of this round of TRF evaluation is based on data collected in the 3-year window of 2011-13, many of the outputs are on account of the momentum of the past. We do not expect young faculty members to be readily productive as those colleagues who have just retired. So we must be prepared for the next round of evaluation. With this reasoning in mind, I have made the raw data of the TRF evaluation, which reveals the contribution of all individuals toward the end results, for your information.
As conveyed earlier, TRF has now invited AIT to submit proposals, one for each of the 5 disciplines that received a TRF Rating of 5, for TRF’s “Three-Year Institutional Research Grant”. The objective of these grants are to support the disciplines with a proven potential to further develop their research capacity, productivity and performance, so they can advance to the global level.
The Research grants aims to fund research activities for a duration of three years (2016-2019). The expected outcomes are accessed every year-end on quantitative and qualitative terms based on the publications in international academic journals. The disciplines, whose proposals are accepted, will receive a research grant from TRF for 3 consecutive years, at 1 million THB per year, thus 3,000,000 THB in total. The recipient institutions are required to match the same amount of fund for the three years. Hence the total research grant for each qualified discipline is 6,000,000 THB for 3 years.
The project proposals would be evaluated by a Selection Committee of reputed experts based on the pros and cons of the proposed research outcomes and the strategy used to attain the objectives. Project Leaders of the proposals will be invited to make a presentation to the Selection Committee. Subsequently the successful projects would then sign the contract agreements with TRF for the award of the grant.
The deadline for the submission of the project proposals is the 20th of May 2016 and need to be submitted online through the following link:
http://academics.trf.or.th/irg
The results are expected to be declared by the 30 June 2016.
In its last meeting, the Management Team has agreed that the matching fund of one million Baht per discipline per year will be shared between the School’s Capital Fund and the Central Administration through the Institute Reserve upon the approval of the Board. Schools short of Capital Fund may take a loan from the Institute Reserve. The relevant Schools have agreed to select the Project Leader, most likely based on his or her contribution to the rating outcomes, who together with a team will prepare a proposal. The Proposal must be endorsed by the School Dean and approved by the Management Team, before it is submitted to TRF before the deadline.
I look forward to the successful proposals prepared by the respective teams of each of the five disciplines and encourage you to strive and make the most of this Research Grant from TRF. This is an excellent opportunity for AIT to showcase its research expertise and reaffirm it position as a Leading Research Institute in these 5 areas for now.
With kind regards,
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
AIT President
Call for Papers for International Journal of Exploration in Science & Technology (iJEST)
International Journal of Exploration in Science & Technology (iJEST)
Call for Papers - Vol. 1 Issue 1 (June - 2016) - Introductory Issue
iJEST is intended to facilitate a forum for academia, technocrats, industrial professionals, researchers and scholars around the globe to share innovative ideas, experiences, practices and research outcomes in science and technology that serves as a catalyst for the academic development. The first issue of Journal will be launched in the month of June. The Journal publishes original research of high quality to attract contributions from the relevant local, regional and international communities. All the accepted papers will be published quarterly, available online.
Research work related to the field of Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Basic and Applied Sciences will be accepted and published.
All the submitted papers will be peer reviewed and checked for plagiarism before publication.
Faculty, students, and researchers are invited to submit your next article of your research/review/study in engineering & science research area for publication FIRST issue of iJEST.
Author Benefits:
- Reliable, easy, transparent & rapid publication process.
- Paper will publish online.
- Indexing of papers will be done in all major online bibliographic journal databases (under process).
- Open Access Journal Database for High visibility and promotion of your article.
- Author Research Guidelines & Support.
You may submit manuscript for review through Email at chiefeditor.ijest@gmail.com , There is NO PUBLICATION FEE.
Last date of article submission - 31 MAY 2016
Author Notification - Within TWO weeks
Issue Publication - June 2016
For more details visit: http://ijest.webs.com
Campus Update
OFAM Outsourced Services & Facilities Survey
AIT’sOffice of Facilities and Assets Management (OFAM) manages and supervises the operation and maintenance of AIT infrastructure and facilities. AIT Management has outsourced the maintenance services for Technical maintenance, Janitorial services, Landscape Services, Security services, AITCC management.
OFAM asses the performance of the contractors and facilities for the services provided on regular basis, based on various Key Performance Indicators (KPI). One of the key indicators for the assessment of the contractors is customer satisfaction level, which could be obtained through this survey. AIT Community’s feedback will help OFAM to evaluate the performance and as well, will guide the office to improve its services.
The AIT Community is requested to fill the survey questionnaires, that could be accessed through the link below
http://goo.gl/forms/L0sJuMfcb4
The Survey will be open until 22 May 2016.
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.
Events
AIT’s 125th GRADUATION
19 May 2016
Morning Ceremony
School of Environment, Resources and Development
School of Management
PROGRAM
Academic Procession
* Introduction by the Vice President for Academic Affairs
* Graduation Message by the President
* Graduation Address by Dr. Doulaye Koné, Deputy Director, WASH Program
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
* Installation of Emeritus Professors
* Installation of Professors
* Conferment of Doctoral Degrees
* Message by a Doctoral Graduate
* Intermission
* Conferment of Master Degrees (SERD) and Awarding of Prizes
* Conferment of Master Degrees (SOM) and Awarding of Prizes
* Conferment of Bachelor Degrees (SERD)
* Message by Dr. Tong Ki Woo, Governor of Education, Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea and AIT Prominent Alumnus
* Message by the Most Outstanding Master’s Graduate
* Academic Recession
125th GRADUATION
Afternoon Ceremony
School of Engineering and Technology
PROGRAM
Academic Procession
* Introduction by the Vice President for Academic Affairs
* Graduation Message by the President
* Graduation Address by H.E. Mr. Jesús Miguel Sanz, Ambassador, Head of Delegation European Union, Thailand
* Installation of Emeritus Professor
* Installation of Professor
* Conferment of Doctoral Degrees
* Message by a Doctoral Graduate
* Intermission
* Conferment of Master Degrees and Awarding of Prizes
* Conferment of Bachelor Degrees
* Message by Dr. Suleeporn Choopavang, Director of Foreign Affairs Department
Office of the Chaipattana Foundation and Prominent Alumnus
* Message by the Most Outstanding Master’s Graduate
* Academic Recession
“Collaboration for Innovation”
Have you registered for the Collaboration for Innovation event to be held on 12-13 May 2016 at the AIT Conference Center?
Limited seats are available for the informative and networking event. Ensure your seat now by registering here. Participation fees will be covered by AIT.
AIT is organizing this event in collaboration with the National Housing Authority (NHA) Thailand; Industrial Estate Authority Thailand (IEAT); Innovation and Technology Assistance Program, Technology Management Center Office of Science and Technology (ITAP-TMC); Siam Cement Group (SCG); Betagro; Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) India; Eight-Japan Engineering Consultant Inc; Xynteo, and many other organizations.
The Governor of Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) Dr. Verapong Chairperm and Acting Governor of National Housing Authority Thailand (NHA) Ms. Ubonwan Suebybal will be Chief Guests while Dr. Somchet Thinaphong, President, AITAA; Chairman, Executive Board, NIA; Chairman and Executive Board, GISTDA will be the Guest of Honor at the event.
The two-day event will feature keynote invited speakers, renowned AIT and Industry experts will present recent development and future trends on themes including: Affordable Housing; Disaster Risk Reduction; Sustainable Development and Planning; Next-Gen CSR- Sustainability through Social Business; Food & Agriculture; Infrastructure & Building; Logistics & Supply Chain; and Robotics & Automation.
Participants will have access to unique and creative ideas emerging from the institute. Finalists from the Innovative Idea Competition will pitch their best strategies, ideas and use of technologies that will provide solutions for community and business challenges to support industries, especially SMEs to increase their competitive edge in the market. The event will also feature an exhibition highlighting the diverse range of research, technologies, and projects previously undertaken at AIT.
For further information, please visit: http://collaborationforinnovation.solutions.ait.asia/
See the program at: http://collaborationforinnovation.solutions.ait.asia/program.html
More information about the speakers: http://collaborationforinnovation.solutions.ait.asia/speakers.html
Faculty and Staff Travel
Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 29 April – 2 May 2016*
Dr. Faiz Shah / Islamabad, Lahore, Pakistan / 29 April – 10 May 2016*
Ms. Warindhorn Wachirasiri / Pattaya, Chonburi / 30 April – 1 May 2016*
Prof. Mukand Singh Babel / Copenhagen, Denmark / 1 – 5 May 2016*
Dr. Surachet Pravinvongvuth / Beijing, P.R. China / 4 – 8 May 2016*
Prof. Mukand Singh Babel / Hanoi, Vietnam / 8 – 10 May 2016
Dr. Anil Kumar Anal / Hanoi, Vietnam / 8 – 12 May 2016
Dr. Sangam Shrestha / Hanoi, Vietnam / 8 – 12 May 2016
Dr. Nguyen Hoang Duc / Hanoi, Vietnam / 8 – 12 May 2016
Dr. P. Abdul Salam / Hanoi, Vietnam / 8 – 12 May 2016
Dr. Ram C. Bhujel / BAJ, Ivory Coast / 8 – 14 May 2016
Prof. Kanchana Kanchanasut / Geneva, Switzerland / 9 – 13 May 2016
Dr. K. R. Salin / Digha, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India / 9 – 13 May 2016
Prof. Manukid Parnichkun / Tokyo, Japan / 9 – 14 May 2016
Dr. Faiz Shah / Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Australia / 15 – 20 May 2016
Mr. Faisal Alih / Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Australia / 15 – 21 May 2016
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)