AIT Campus Bulletin

In this issue:

A. Announcements 

B. Events 

C. Classifieds (jobs)

A. Announcements 

1) Extension of Work-From-Home and Other Updates from the AIT COVID-19 Task Force

Email from the Director, Office of Academic Administration on 24 April 2021.

The recent wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand is showing significant daily numbers of positive cases.  Between 1 April 2021 and 19 April 2021, 14,879 confirmed cases have been reported, of which 10,204 were detected through the routine surveillance system, 4,532 through active case finding, and 143 are individuals who entered Thailand from other countries.  The country recorded a new high of 2,839 cases in a single day on 24 April. 

Extension of Work-From-Home and Online Classes – In light of the above, the Work-From-Home basis for non-mission-essential employees, and online classes and exams, will continue through 15 May.  A decision will be made in the coming weeks to either extend or re-open AIT, depending on the COVID-19 situation and advisory from the Thai Government.  This policy is to minimize contact during this tense period, and we strongly urge you not to use this period to undertake any long travel away from home.  In fact, for those who live on campus, we urge you to stay on campus as much as possible without venturing outside AIT. 

Wearing of Masks – It has been observed that some members of the AIT community, especially students, have begun to let their guard down by not wearing masks.  Masks are mandatory on the AIT campus because they are an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Consistent usage of face coverings can greatly decrease the spread of respiratory droplets produced during talking, sneezing, and coughing.  In response to the new wave of COVID-19 in Thailand, some provinces have started imposing a penalty on people who do not wear face masks in public.  For AIT, anyone observed not wearing masks in indoor public areas on campus may be subject to a fine and disciplinary action.  

Update on Quarantine Period and Phases – Countries with Variants – In our 2 April communication we had provided an update on the “Revised Quarantine Periods” which came into effect from 1 April.  As communicated, and in accordance with the Thai Government policy, travelers to AIT from countries with COVID-19 variants are required to undergo a quarantine period of 14 days.  The list of countries with variant strains will be determined and updated by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand every 15 days.  For your information, at present, passengers travelling from the following countries with cases of COVID‑19 variant strains must undergo a 14‑day quarantine: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Botswana, Zambia, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Rwanda, Congo, Republic of Ghana, and United Republic of Tanzania.

With effect from 21 April, and in addition to the above-mentioned countries, AIT will also be requiring faculty, staff and students, as well as their dependents, coming from Brazil, India, the Philippines, and the UK to undergo a quarantine period of 14 days, as detailed below:

§  If staying at the AIT OQ, they will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine (Phase 1), regardless of the stamp received at the airport, followed by a 7-day self-isolation (Phase 2), as well as a 3-week Phase 3.

§  If staying at an ASQ hotel, after their mandatory quarantine, they will be required to undergo an extended Phase 2 period such that the combined period of both Phases 1 and 2 would be 21 days, followed by a 3-week Phase 3.

Update on Vaccines – We are closely monitoring the vaccine situation.  The Thai Government will give out 61 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the second half of this year, mostly for Thai citizens.  We had informed you that non-Thai members — students, faculty, staff, and dependents — of the AIT community have been guaranteed by MOFA that they would be covered.  And aside from the vaccines administered by the Thai Government, the Government is also working with private partners to import additional doses of vaccines, with dates uncertain.

This week, a vaccine opportunity was presented to AIT for a very limited number of eligible (those aged between 40 and 59 years and 10 months) Thai employees.  The TF worked with Unit Heads to identify mission-essential employees who need to regularly be on campus and who come in frequent contact with students and employees during this lockdown period.  The first tranche of these 33 Thai employees—academic and non-academic—who agreed, which include our OQ staff, received their first dose of Sinovac vaccines for COVID-19 at Thammasat University Hospital on Friday, 23 April.  In anticipation of possible future availability, the TF is working with the Unit Heads to have in place a system to identify the succeeding tranches of the remaining eligible Thai employees, as well as non-Thais from the month of June onwards.

Update on Positive Case of an AIT Student — In our 17 April communication we had reported that an AIT student who resides off-campus had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 11 and was hospitalized.  The student is still recuperating in the hospital and our thoughts are with the student and wishes for a speedy recovery.

We urge you to continue to maintain a very high level of safety and hygiene measures during the current wave, avoiding large crowds, and please visit the AIT Medical Center if you feel unwell.  We thank you for your continued cooperation.

Please take care and stay safe.

AIT COVID-19 Task Force

 

2) AIT - Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021

Email from the Office of Public Affairs on 22 April 2021.

Dear AIT Faculty and Staff:

Good News! 

Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021 results were revealed yesterday, April 21st, 2021.  

With over 1,200 universities from 98 countries participating this year, AIT ranked 15th in the world for SDG 1 No Poverty, with four other individual goals in the global top 100 and overall placed in the top 200 — which is a significant result for our institute.

The THE Impact Rankings assesses universities worldwide against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using indicators in four areas: research, teaching, outreach, and stewardship.    

For the official story, please refer to:

https://www.ait.ac.th/2021/04/ait-ranks-15th-globally-by-times-higher-ed...

To publicize specific results, THE has provided us with Digital Badges for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please adhere to Times Higher Education Requirements / Suggestions, as follows:

1. Only use these on social media or within website news articles

2. Do Not edit the images

3. Do link to our rankings from your website: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/rankings/impact/2021/overall

4. Do use the official hashtags on social media: #THEglobalimpact #THEunirankings 

Please find the link below to view the full results and download the badges and banners:

https://www.ait.ac.th/the-impact-rankings-2021/

*Please note that this is an internal link only.

 

3) AIA Coverage for Covid-19 Vaccine Side Effects

Email form the Office of Human Resources Services on 23 April 2021 

This is to inform you that as an AIA Insurance Policy Holder, you are already covered by AIA in case you are admitted to the hospital for the treatment of side effects resulting from the Covid-19 vaccination. 

In addition, AIA is offering extra coverage for AIA Policy Holders who have registered for the "Covid Vaccine Side Effect" campaign through the AIA iService application.  The additional coverage are as follows: 

Receive 1,000 Baht cash benefit per day up to a maximum of 14 days of hospitalization within 60 days from the vaccination date.

Receive 200,000 Baht in case of death within 60 days from the date of vaccination.

The coverage is only until December 31, 2021. 

The registration period of this campaign is from April 19th until June 30th, 2021. Register to avail of this extra coverage through the AIA iService application.   

Important reminders:  

Create your AIA ID first through their AIA iService Application.

Once you have successfully created your AIA ID, you can register for "Free Covid-19 Vaccination Side Effect Coverage"

 4) Thai Language Courses

Dear AIT Community,

The Language Center is pleased to announce the opening of Thai courses (online via ZOOM). If you are interested, please click the link below to register and email proof of payment to us via languages@ait.asia before May 14th to confirm your attendance.  

Listening and Speaking Level 1

17 May – 5 July 2021, Monday and Wednesday from 18:30 to 20:00 [click here to register]

Listening and Speaking Level 2  

17 May –  5 July 2021, Monday and Wednesday from 17:00 to 18:30 [click here to register] 

Reading and Writing Level 1

18 May – 6 July 2021, Tuesday and Thursday from 18:30 to 20:00 [click here to register]

Reading and Writing Level 2

18 May – 6 July 2021, Tuesday and Thursday from 17:00 to 18:30  [click here to register] 

Course Fee: 2,500 baht (AIT community) and 3,000 baht (outsider)

PAYMENT PROCESS

1) PAY AT THE AIT CASHIER

· Provide your name, ID number and cash to the Cashier.

2) PAY BY BANK TRANSFER

· Account Name: ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Current Account number: 468-046301-2

Saving account number: 405-999567-0

· Bank Name: Siam Commercial Bank Pcl., Ltd.

· Bank Branch: Thammasat University Hospital

· Branch Address: 95 Moo 8, Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand

· Swift Code: SICOTHBK

· Message to Beneficiary: Japanese course

You must pay for any service charge or transaction fee separately.

3) PAY BY CREDIT CARD

click here to pay by credit card 

5) AIT TechTalks focusing on Advance Robotics: from Laboratories to Real Applications

You are welcome to join online on 29 April 2021, Thursday (09:00 - 16:00 hrs, Bangkok Time) for the next AIT TechTalks focusing on Advance Robotics: from Laboratories to Real Applications

Event highlights:
- Keynote presentations from experts in AIT and from the Industry
- Technical talks by AIT faculty and experts
- Interaction with AIT Researchers (showcase of the bots)

AIT has contributed to the field of robotics, automation, and industrial advancement through research, education, and working with enterprises and industry partners supporting their path of industrial competitiveness and innovation. Join this event to learn more!

Please register here: https://bit.ly/2RJ4MXr
Visit Website:
http://www.aea.ait.ac.th/events/tech-talk-series-2/

 

6) Library closure : 17 April 2021 - 1 May 2021

Email from AIT Library on 16 April 2021

Due to the new wave of Covid-19 pandemic, AIT Library will be closed from 17 April - 1 May 2021. Please find below for more information about the Library services during the closure.

To search for Library resources, please find the links below.

Online journal databases and e-books databases: http://library.ait.ac.th or go to direct link of each database.

Library books: https://libopac.ait.ac.th/

e-Theses databases: http://203.159.12.58/ait-thesis

Please note that to download e-resources off-campus, you will be required to access the databases through AIT VPN. For more information about AIT VPN, please click on this link http://library.ait.ac.th/2019/04/20/off-campus-access-to-e-resources/.

For book loans, please send your request to library@ait.ac.th. Library staff will prepare the books for you. You can come to the Library for a loan. (The Book Loan Ride Thru Service is available from 8.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.)

For book return, please return books at the Automatic Books Drop at the side of the Library.

To request articles, e-Books, or past examination papers, please send an e-mail to library@ait.ac.th. The Library staff will find, scan and send you back the e-files.

To request printing at the Library, please send your request to library@ait.ac.th. You can come to use the photocopiers at the Library during 8 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

For Library clearance, please send your request to libraryclearance@ait.ac.th. The library staff will check and process the library clearance online.

Library users who have borrowed books, your books will be automatically extended to 5 May 2021. The overdue book fines will not be incurred during the Library closure. 

The Library will keep you on new library resources and services on the Library website, Library Facebook, and e-mail. If you have any problem with accessing the online databases or require any further assistance, please feel free to contact the Library. 

Website: http://library.ait.ac.th

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3a2ScpZ

 

Training Courses/ Conferences/ Workshops

1) Online Professional Development Course on: Managing Organization change: Integrating Agile for Transformation (Batch 1 )

Online Professional Development Course on: Managing Organization change: Integrating Agile for Transformation (Batch 1 )

Date : 08 - 25 May 2021

https://extension.ait.ac.th/course/1158

Date: 10 - 28 May 2021
Time: 14:00 - 16:00 hrs. (Bangkok time)
Learn from practitioners on how to develop M & E pathways that foster measurement of results and respond to current changes of M&E contexts. Broadening perspectives for innovative ways to develop tools and reporting mechanisms that help to make decisions for project implementation. 

Aims of the program

Enhance practical knowledge and scope for M&E approach and practices during COVID-19.
Be acquainted with appropriate research design and data collection tools.

Apply M &E concept to create information sharing and reporting strategies.

For more information and registration pls. visit https://extension.ait.ac.th/course/1127

 

7) 2nd International  Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development (DRSD) 

We are happy to announce the "2nd International Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development” from 24 -25 June 2021 scheduled to be held at Asian Institute of Technology, THAILAND (In-person and Virtual) [www.disaster-sustainability.org]. The “2nd International Symposium on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development” organized by the Asian Institute of Technology brings together discussion on various dimensions of higher education systems in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development. The International Symposium will focus on various dimensions of existing and future risk scenarios and concerted efforts of the scientific communities to find new adaptation methods. 

The international symposium will be organized from 24 -25 June 2021 in hybrid mode. The program will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, technical sessions, poster presentations, and academic exhibitions. The Symposium is one of the initiatives of ProSPER.Net project “Disaster Education for integrating SFDRR and SDG in Asia” lead by the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand along with the partner universities in the Asia Pacific Region. 

The symposium will also provide an opportunity to develop a Higher Educational Institution Platform on DRR to address the cross-cutting issues on Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development and also understanding regional challenges that result from complex problems generated by natural hazards and human-induced threats.

On behalf of Organising Committee DRSD-2021, I would like to invite your valuable participation and interaction with Global Resilience and Sustainability Experts. 

CALL for ABSTRACT is open 

We will encourage you to circulate the announcement to your scientific and professional netw