WEEK #27: 4 – 10 July 2016
In this issue:
Announcements
Welcoming Mr Surendra Shrestha, New AIT Vice President for Development (VPD)
(Email from President)
I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to Mr. Surendra Shrestha, who has assumed responsibilities as AIT's new full-time Vice President for Development (VPD) with effect from 1 July 2016. Mr. Shrestha's appointment as VPD was endorsed by the AIT Board of Trustees at its meeting held on 18 February 2016.
Mr. Shrestha has had a stellar career with the United Nations, having served in management capacities in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. As the UNEP Director for Strategic Resource Mobilization over a two-year period, his office contributed to the move to a structured annual dialogue with key donors; doubling of the financial resources from about $ 220 million to $ 510 million. He also provided lead role in contributing to new curriculum design in Tongji University (IESD), UNU (SD), collective effort for holistic curriculum on waste management with six universities. In addition, Mr. Shrestha provided intellectual leadership for the establishment of Atmospheric Brown Cloud bringing together 35 institutions and 250 scientists. He also provided institutional leadership for: the establishment/revitalization and growth of ICIMOD in Nepal; RRC.AP at AIT, Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development in Shanghai; Eco-Peace Leadership Centre in Korea; Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilization at UNEP HQ; and IETC in Osaka, Japan.
Mr. Shrestha completed his BSc. Economics and Computer Science from Keele University, Staffordshire, U.K. (1975-1978) and received his MSc. Computer Applications, from AIT (1979-1980). Among the many important positions he has held, include serving as the UNEP Regional Director / Representative for Asia and Pacific, and more recently as Director of the International Environment Technology Centre (IETC) based in Osaka, Japan.
As the newly appointed Vice President for Development (VPD), Mr. Shrestha's areas of responsibilities will include the planning and development of strategic relations with all UN agencies, international organizations, partner countries, and alumni, with the goal to enhance our Institute's resources generation.
Mr. Shrestha's office is located on the 2nd Floor of the Administration Building, Room No. 242, and can be reached through surendra@ait.asia , ext. 5089.
Our warm welcome once again and we wish Mr. Shrestha the very best in his assignment.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
AIT President
Central Administration Restructuring
(Email from President)
Further to my 17 December 2015 communication to all on Administrative Restructuring, I am pleased to update the AIT community of the finalized changes made in the AIT Management Team and re-organization of the central administration, which will take effect from 1 July 2016. The month of July 2016 will be a transition period to the new structures, and we expect the cooperation and full support of all concerned.
A. AIT Management Team (AMT)
At Institute level, the AIT Management Team (AMT) serves as executive body of the Institute. The new AMT will constitute the President as Chair, Vice Presidents, School Deans and (Executive) Directors of all Responsibility Centers (RCs). Associate members of AMT include the Institute Secretary, Secretary to the President, other Directors of all Service Centers (SCs), Compliance Officer, and Senior Advisers to the President. The weekly AMT Meeting serves as a platform for AMT members to consult, communicate and canvass opinions on a range of matters prior to its endorsement for the final decision by the President. In addition, the AMT meeting will provide a forum to discuss on new strategies, initiatives and ideas that may become part of future business.
To enhance the efficiency of AMT Meetings, Standing Committees of AMT will be set up to screen and provide expert advice on specific affairs of AIT. These Committees will be chaired by regular AMT members. Please see Attachment 1 for the composition of the standing committees of the AIT Management Team.
B. Vice Presidents (VPs)
Following the approval of the AIT Board of Trustees, at its meeting on 18 February 2016, I am pleased to announce the new Vice President structure, and their respective appointments with effect from 1 July 2016.
In performing their duties, the emphasis of the VPs should essentially be on the content and quality assurance aspects of research, education and external relations and not on operational matters. They will provide strategic direction to the Service Centers, provide advice on policy-related issues, and also use the services of the service centers.
1. Professor Sivanappan Kumar as full-time Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA); extensively being delegated the authority within his current areas of responsibilities as VPAA, as well as the areas of responsibilities of the Vice President for Research.
I would also like to take this opportunity to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to Professor Kanchana Kanchanasut for her dedicated service rendered to the Institute as VP-Research. Professor Kanchana will remain as Director of the Internet Education & Research Laboratory (intERLab) until the end of the year. We are grateful that the Institute can continue to benefit from her expertise.
2. Professor Kazuo Yamamoto as Vice President for Administration (VPA); his position is still based on a joint appointment between AIT (60%) and the University of Tokyo (40%). He will be delegated to supervise all non-school RCs, including AIT Center in Vietnam (AITCV) and any other administrative duties as assigned by the President.
3. Mr Surendra Shrestha as a new full-time Vice President for Development (VPD); his current areas of responsibilities include the planning and development of strategic relations with all UN agencies, international organizations, partner countries, and alumni, with the goal to enhance our resources generation.
C. Responsibility Center Management (RCM)
AIT will continue its decentralization process based on Responsibility Center Management (RCM), which was created at University of Pennsylvania in the early 1970’s as a response to a financial crisis, and is now widely used in most universities in the US.
RCM provides an incentive structure that encourages and rewards revenue generation and cost saving at all levels. It requires awareness among all faculty and staff members of financial implications of decisions at the policy and operational levels. Under RCM system, a unit in AIT can be categorized as either a responsibility center (RC) or a service center (SC).
D. Responsibility Centers (RC)
A responsibility center (RC) is a unit that is expected to generate sufficient revenue to fully cover its direct and indirect expenses. As a financial incentive, an RC retains part of its net surplus into its Capital Fund.
Currently, AIT has 3 academic RCs (SET, SERD, and SOM), and 12 Outreach RCs (AIT Extension, AIT Solutions, RRC.AP, GIC, CoE‐Nano, SDCC, IntERLab, AITIS, LC, AITCV, Special Degree Programs, and AIT Assets). The current restructure does not affect any change on School Deans, Executive Directors and Directors of all RCs.
E. Service Centers (SCs)
A service center (SC) is a unit whose primary purpose is to provide services and support to President, VPs, Deans and RC Directors within the policy and budget framework established by the Board and the President. At the end of a fiscal year, the cost of all SCs will be allocated among all RC users of services based on pre-determined cost drivers.
In the present administrative restructure exercise, SCs were reorganized to avoid a deep hierarchical structure, in favor of a ‘flat organization structure’, which removes excess layers of management and improves the coordination and speed of communication between operational staff.
Thus, I am pleased to announce the following reorganization, as well as the appointments of their respective Service Center Directors with effect from 1 July 2016.
1. Office of the President (OPRE)
Secretary of the President: Ms Chotiros Mongkolchotirat
2. Institute (INST) – Institute and Board secretariat, campus counselling, campus architect, compliance & risk, internal audit
Institute Secretary: Mr Karma Rana
3. Office of Academic Administration (OAA) – AIT Management Team and Senate affairs secretariat, information office, Institute policies & procedures, administrative coordination, CLIQ, Faculty evaluation, sponsored & contracted projects
Director: Mrs Izel Ann M Dante
4. Office of Advancement (OADV) – alumni affairs, fundraising, industry relations
Director: Mr Sanjeev P Jayasinghe
5. Office of Finance (OFIN) – ledger & receivables, payments & cashier, payroll, reporting
Director: Mr Noppadon Rittipongshusit
6. Office of External Relations (OEXR) – cooperation and alliances, partnerships and agreements, donors, positioning, promotions
Director: Mr Shawn Patrick Kelly
7. Office of Human Resources Services (OHRS) – HR management, staff bus, employees’ relations & development, HRIS, employees welfare, Medical Clinic
Director (interim): Mr Jiraphong Bumpenyoo
8. Office of Facilities & Assets Management (OFAM) – campus maintenance, campus services, management of assets
Director: Mr Wanchai Sophonsakulrat
9. Office of Host Country Relations (OHCR) – RTG-AIT Cooperation Plan, host country relations, government relations
Director: Ms Chalita Lertwinyu
10. Office of Student Affairs (OSA) – admissions, scholarships & invoicing, registry, career center, student affairs, Student Union
Director: Ms Laarni B. Roa
11. Office of Media and Communications (OMCO) – news, social media, media relations & PR, branding, photography, graphic design
Director: Mr Bajinder Pal Singh
12. Office of Procurement, Inventory and Assets (OPIA) – procurement & inventory, Legal Issues, Insurance
Director: Ms Pakkamol Dherapongsthad
13. AIT Library (LIB) – library services
Director: Ms Pranee Kiriyanant
F. New Salary Scale with effect from 1 July 2016
I decided to adopt one of the salary scale models (Model 3) proposed by the Salary Structure and Positions Review Committee, chaired by Professor Sununta Siengthai, but increased the number of steps from 10 to 12 for all Levels. In addition, I classified all staff into 4 categories (Silos) - (1) General Support Staff; (2) Technical Staff; (3) Administrative Staff; and (4) Professional & Research Staff.
The current salaries of all employees will be mapped to the nearest steps (of equal or higher salary) in the new salary scale. The results of the annual performance appraisal, which will commence in the month of July, will be used for the purpose of determining the annual merit increment (salary step adjustments) and staff training and development needs.
Your continuing support to our Institute, especially to our colleagues in their respective capacities, would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
President
Asian Institute of Technology
30 June 2016
Dr Jai Govind Singh promoted to the rank of Associate Professor
Dr. Jai Govind Singh has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD). Dr. Jai Govind Singh joined AIT as an Assistant Professor in December 2009., and his elevation follows positive recommendations of the Faculty Evaluation Panel (FEP) and the SERD Professorial Board.
Prior to working at AIT, he has served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (July 2009-October 2009); and as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Electric Power System Division of the Royal Institute of Technology-KTH, Sweden (April 2008-June 2009).
Dr. Singh obtained his Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India in 2001; his Master’s in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India in 2003; and a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India in 2008.
Dr. Singh’s research encompasses power system planning, operation and control, FACTS controllers, restructuring of electric industry, demand side management, grid integration of renewable energy resources, power distribution systems, smart grid, and microgrids.
More details about Dr Jai Govind Singh are available at these links:
http://www.serd.ait.ac.th/wpserd/faculty/jai-govind-singh/
AIT Newsletter: July 2016
The July 2016 edition of the monthly newsletter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been released. The PDF and EPUB (mobile/tablet) versions can also be downloaded from these links:
PDF: http://goo.gl/0erUhP
EPUB: http://goo.gl/g20zh8
MOBI: http://goo.gl/M1TDox
Performance Appraisal 2016 (covering the period from 1 July 2015-30 June 2016)
(Email from President)
Dear Colleagues,
This email will provide you some background behind the recent call for performance appraisal 2016 by our HRO office.
In the past, I heard so many complaints about unfair, arbitrary and non-transparent salary increments. I discovered how the current practice (that we inherited from the past decade) is open to such complaints.
(1) As the performance assessment was only seriously done at the end of current contracts, and as individual contracts end at different dates of the year, the merit increase of each individual employee was only based on one's own performance without peer comparison. Thus, it is extremely difficult to maintain any uniformity.
(2) In most cases, I found that the sizes of the awarded salary increments were so arbitrary (ranging from 0% to 30%), as they might be subjective to several factors at the time, e.g., the current snap-shot financial condition of AIT, the aggressiveness and the negotiating power of individuals, and the current mood of the President.
(3) The system provides the President too much room to place the salary point anywhere between the salary band.
After observing the shortcoming of our practice, I spent my first two years to carefully prepare the following structural change in order to ensure fairness, uniformity and transparency.
(1) We have gradually transformed all contracts of our regular employees to always end in December 31. So the merit award in terms of salary increment can only be made once a year together in December.
(2) In the new system, every employee can expect an annual salary increment at the end of the year whenever the Institute performs well with a reasonable surplus. As the salary scale is now divided into steps, an employee may at the end of the year receive zero, one or two steps increments, based on one's level of performance.
(3) In order to link the annual salary increment with performance, the exercise of annual performance appraisal of all employees has to be taken more seriously. From now on, your year-end salary increase will be based on the results of this appraisal exercise.
(4) For the performance of faculty colleagues, I have appointed a Task Force chaired by VPAA to propose a matrix of numerical KPIs which include the quantity, quality and/or financial contributions of (1) Teaching; (2) Research; (3) Outreach; (4) Consulting; and (5) Community Services. The TF is expected to recommend a weighing factor for each of the above 5 categories of duties.
(5) All faculty wanting to receive consideration for annual salary increments must submit the list of one-year output of the 5 categories within 15 July, to be available for appraisal by (the Department Head and) the Dean.
For example, all faculty need to submit their one-year output (from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016) to be appraised by Dean and VPAA in July 2016, in order to receive any salary step adjustment on 1 January 2017.
With the above clarification, I sincerely believe that all employees of AIT can fully concentrate on their works with the peace of mind, as the system will take care of your entitlements fairly, uniformly and transparently.
With kind regards,
Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai,
AIT President
Announcement for Online Performance Appraisal 2016 (covering the period from 1 July 2015-30 June
All concerned immediate supervisors and Unit Heads of direct-hire (centrally-funded) staff members, please be informed that the online performance appraisal for this year 2016, covering the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 is now open. The annual online performance appraisal process was implemented since July 2014 following the approval of the AIT Management.
The online system can be accessed through the “PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL” link in the HRIS menu (https://hris.ait.ac.th ). The immediate supervisors can complete the individual Performance Appraisal Reports for all the employees under their supervision, and individually (electronically) submit them. The Unit Heads shall then review and endorse all completed Performance Appraisal Reports not later than 31 July 2016.
The online / web-based system archived the appraisal results since year 2014 (“Appraisal History” link in the HRIS menu) and will build up annual data that will be available to unit heads / immediate supervisors and AIT Management. The process will be carried out in conjunction with the annual budget process. Based on the annual performance appraisal results, which will be used for the purpose of determining the annual salary adjustment and staff training and development needs, financial implications can be taken into consideration in the following fiscal year’s budgets. Please note that those with no performance evaluations will not be considered for any performance-based merit payments and/or salary increments.
If anyone encounters technical problems, please report them to Helpdesk (helpdesk@ait.asia ). Please convey other feedback to HRO (hro@ait.asia ).
Project Opportunities in Georgia
As part of the CTCN project, there is a request for technical assistance received from Georgia entitled:
- Assessment of Suitable Flood Mitigation Measures in Tbilisi, Based on Tsavkisiskhevi River Extreme Flood Analysis.
- Technical Assistance for assessing the feasibility of and building capacity in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Georgia mountain regions.
If the subject areas fit your expertise well, and if you would like to be involved in providing 'technical services' towards the implementation of this request, please contact Victor Shinde (victorshinde@ait.asia ). He will help you in preparing a small application package (2-3 pages) that will be submitted to the CTCN Headquarters in Copenhagen. He will also explain to you the CTCN assistance mechanism. The application package will essentially contain information on:
Capacity to work in the language used by the country requesting assistance.
Work conducted on related topic/technology, if any (optional: provide relevant documents).
Previous work in the country or region, if any (optional: provide relevant documents).
Relationships and partnerships you may have in the country, if any.
Please note that submission of an application package does not guarantee an award. The CTCN Headquarters receives a number of applications from different organizations and it is their prerogative to choose the one they deem appropriate.
Interested persons, please contact no later than 4 July 2016.
Campus Updates
Electricity shutdown in AIT Library on 9 July 2016 (Saturday) from 12.00 – 17.00 p.m.
The electricity in the AIT Library will be turned off in order to connect the solar panels on the roof of AIT Library on 9 July 2016 (Saturday) from 12.00-17.00 p.m.
Thus, there will be no electricity and air conditioning on this coming Saturday from the mentioned period.
Reservation of Sports Facilities
Please be informed that the AIT Christian Fellowship have reserved the Basketball, Volleyball & Badminton Courts in front of Cat 4 dorms (L & Q) on 30 July(Saturday) from 10 AM to 12 noon.
Events
5th AIT Distinguished Adjunct Faculty (DAF) Seminar
The 5th AIT Distinguished Adjunct Faculty (DAF) Seminar will be delivered by Professor Sudip K. Rakshit entitled, "Transition to a Sustainable Bio-economy: Global Perspectives"
Date : Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Time : 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Main Auditorium, AIT Conference Center
Prof. Sudip K. Rakshit is a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Biorefining and Bioenergy Processes at Lakehead University (LU) . He is associated with the Biorefining Research Institute (BRI) and the Department of Chemical Engineering at LU. Professor Rakshit served as the AIT Vice President for Research from September 2005 to March 2012 and Professor in the Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology (FEBT) program from January 1995. His first employment was in the Chemical Engineering Department at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, India. Prof. Rakshit obtained his Master and PhD in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology from IIT, Delhi, India and B.Tech from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. His first degree was Chemistry Honours from the Loyola College, Chennai, India.
Interested persons please kindly confirm your participation by registering through the following link or by emailing Ms. Chotiros (Nam) at chotirosm@ait.asia, Tel. 02-524 6319.
There will be also be a live broadcast of the talk. The link to the live broadcast is provided below:
http://livebroadcast.ait.ac.th/daf2016/prof_rakshit.html
Further details on the DAF initiative is available at the below link:
https://sites.google.com/a/ait.asia/ait-distinguished-adjunct-faculty/home
NSTDA’S Auto Parts Tech Day 2016
The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) through Auto Parts Innovation Cluster, will organize the “AUTO PARTS TECH DAY 2016” with a theme of “AUTO PARTS AND THE FUTURE INDUSTRIES: Driving Thailand through AVIATION AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE” on 28 and 29 July 2016 at Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani. Participants can attend the following activities:
- Keynote and Special Talks in Aviation and Electric Vehicle Industries
- Technical Serviced Providers Exhibition and Technology Showcases
- Laboratory Tours of the Thailand Science Park
- Electric Vehicle Test Drive
To register, please go to: http://goo.gl/ddSwdu
For more information, please contact: 02-564-8000 or email: techday2016@nstda.or.th
AIT Orientation Day for August 2016 Intake
The AIT Orientation Day for the new students of orientation day for August 2016 Intake will be held on 4 August 2016 from 10 am at the AIT Conference Center (AITCC).
Date: Thurday, 4 August 2016
Venue: AITCC
Program
08:30-09:45: Registration of new students
Master of Ceremony: Mrs. Laarni B. Roa, Head, Student Office
10:00 – 11:00 am
Brief Remarks by President, Vice Presidents
Brief Remarks by the School Deans (SERD, SET and SOM) and Introduction of School Faculty
Brief Remarks by Student Union President
11:00 – 11:30 am
Open Forum and Group Photo at the AIT Landmark
LUNCH BREAK
Institute-wide Orientation: Afternoon Session (1:00 – 3:30 pm)
Master of Ceremony: Dr. Tenzin Rabgyal Coordinator, Admissions and Scholarship Unit
- Student Code of Conduct and Ethical Behavior
- AIT Harassment Policy
- Student Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
- Academic Requirements, Languages and Student Welfare
- Academic Requirements and Practices
- Language Center Services and the English Language Requirements
- Student Welfare, Placement and Counseling Services
- Other Services
- Campus wide IT Services
- Student Accommodation and Facility Management
- Educational Visa and Government Relations Services
Training Course on "Accounting for Carbon Emission Reductions and Removals through REDD+ Activities"
Natural Resources Management Field of Study, School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) will organize a training course on "Accounting for Carbon Emission Reductions and Removals through REDD+ Activities" on 27 November – 4 December 2016 at the AIT conference center.
For more information, please see:
http://www.nrm.ait.asia/specialprograms/training/
Closing: 30 September 2016
Faculty and Staff Travel
Dr. Than Lin / Vancouver, BC, Canada / 23 June – 6 July 2016
Dr. Clemens M. Grunbuhel / Vienna, Austria and Washington DC, USA / 23 June – 7 July 2016
Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh / San Francisco, California, USA / 24 June – 1 August 2016
Dr. Djoen San Santoso / Hungary / 25 June – 3 July 2016
Ms. Phyu Sin / Chonburi and Chanthaburi, Thailand / 28 June – 3 July 2016
Dr. Masahiko Nagai / Tokyo, Japan / 29 June – 3 July 2016
Dr. Barbara Igel / Osaka and Nagoya, Japan / 1 – 10 July 2016
Dr. Sangam Shrestha / Kathmandu, Nepal / 2 – 6 July 2016
Prof. Pennung Warnitchai / Japan / 2 – 15 July 2016
Dr. Manzul K. Hazarika / Dehnadun and Delhi, India / 4 – 9 July 2016
Dr. Nalin K. B. S. A. Mudlyansalage / Dehnadun and Guwahti, India / 4 – 23 July 2016
Dr. B. H. W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 8 – 12 July 2016
Prof. Sivanappan Kumar / Tokyo, Japan / 9 – 12 July 2016
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
Classifieds (Jobs)
Position: Assistant Facilities Officer / Facilities Officer (Office of Facilities and Assets Management)
Ref. No. 28/16
Deadline: 10 July 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/385
Position: IT Officer (AIT Library)
Ref. No. 16/16
Deadline: 14 July 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/372
Position: Library Assistant (AIT Library )
Ref. No. 17/16
Deadline: 14 July 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/373
Position: Laboratory Supervisor (School of Engineering & Technology)
Ref. No. 29/16
Deadline: 15 July 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/386
Position: Head of Waste Management Cluster (Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific)
Ref. No. 27/16
Deadline: 15 August 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/384
Position: Assistant / Associate Professor (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No. Fac 01/16
Deadline: 30 September 2016