WEEK #33: 14 – 20 August 2017
In this issue:
(i) LECTURES / SEMINARS / CONFERENCE
(a) AIT Public Lecture 2017 on "Super-Continent, Neo-Renaissance and Cultural Communication：Millennium Mindset Transformation induced by the Belt and Road Initiative' – 18 Aug. 2017
An AIT Public Lecture 2017 will be delivered by Prof. Feng Da-Hsuan, Director of Global Affairs and Special Advisor to Rector of University of Macau (UMacau) on the topic "Super-Continent, Neo-Renaissance and Cultural Communication：Millennium Mindset Transformation induced by the Belt and Road Initiative" on 18 August 2017 from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm at the AIT Auditorium, AIT Conference Center. The event will also include a Public Discussion Moderated by Mr. Suthichai Yoon, Nation Multimedia Group. Topic: What does ‘The New Silk Road’ Mean for Thailand & AEC?
(b) Special Lecture on Principle Component Analysis (PCA): 15 Aug. 2017
Urban Environmental Management (UEM) program under the Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS), School of Environment Resources and Development (SERD), in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Research Institute, will organize a special lecture on “Principle Component Analysis (PCA) ” by Dr. Tetsuya Kamijo, Research Fellow of JICA
Research Institute.
Date: 15 August 2017, from 10:10 – 11:45 a.m.
Venue: S101 (SERD Building)
More details: http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2017/events/special-lecture-on-principle-component-analysis-pca/#.WZJanVGlaUk
(c) Special Lecture on “Sustainability Science: Linking Science, Policy and Society for a Sustainable Future”: 17 Aug. 2017
Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Chair of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan, will give a special lecture on “Sustainability Science: Linking Science, Policy and Society for a Sustainable Future” on 17 August 2017, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at AIT Conference Center Auditorium.
(d) Reminder: Foundation English Program for intake January 2018
Please be reminded that the AIT Language Center is offering an extra Foundation English Program from 28 August – 17 November 2017. This program aims at those applicants with high academic skills potential who were unable to meet the English language entry requirements for admission in August 2017, but who would like to apply for admission in January 2018 instead and need an extra hand in developing their English skills.
In some cases, half fee scholarships are available for applicants with high academic potential. Please contact the Schools and relevant departments for more information.
For more information, please contact the Language Center: Languages@ait.asia
(e) International Expert Forum: Mainstreaming Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction in Education: 1 – 2 Dec. 2017
An International Expert Forum on "Mainstreaming Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction in Education" will be organized at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 1-2 December 2017.
Registration Open: 15 August 2017
Full Paper Submission: 30 September 2017
(ii) COURSES
(a) EL classes for the August 2017 semester
The registration for EL classes for the August 2017 semester is now open. Please choose from the available time slots in SIS: https://sis.ait.ac.th (Register/Enroll menu) before the deadline on 18 August at 16:00 (Adding/Dropping).
CLASSES:
- 28 August – 16 November 2017
NO EL CLASSES:
- Monday 25th to Friday 29th September
- Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October
EL COURSE EXAM:
- Monday 20th to Tuesday 21st November
After registering for an EL course you will not be allowed to change the class time on SIS. Students will only be allowed to change EL class times from Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th August before 15.00 at the Language Center, Room 216.
Students with English scores below AIT’s admission requirements will be automatically enrolled in the mandatory English Language (EL) courses listed below. Students will need to pay a registration fee at the AIT Cashier for EL courses before they can attend. The EL course level will be automatically assigned based on a student’s current English score:
5.0 - EL15 Intermediate English Composition
5.5 - EL19 Academic and Technical Writing
English course fee:
• 5,000 Baht one-time flat fee to all new students.
• Students who have attended EL 15 or EL19 once will be charged an additional 2,000THB; the total amount will not exceed 5,000 THB.
• Students who have attended EL13 and EL15; EL15 and EL19 or who have already paid > 5,000 will not be charged again.
Students who joined AIT before January 2016 are allowed to drop EL courses. If you joined AIT after January 2016, you are not able to drop EL courses. The EL courses should be your first priority, therefore scheduling problems and conflicts are not valid reasons to request to unregister from the EL courses. To unregister from the course, you will need to create a memo requesting the EL exemption on a semester basis. This memo will need to be approved by your advisor and submitted to the Language Center before 18 August 2017 (AIT adding/dropping date). If you fail to drop the EL course you are enrolled in before the 22 September, you will still be graded for the EL course you have enrolled.
As you have been informed during the orientation, AIT maintains a strict policy on English language requirements and if you have not met the English language requirements by the third semester of study, you will not be allowed to register for thesis or research credits. Review the Graduation Requirements here.
(a) Thai, Chinese and French Courses for Beginners
The Language Center will conduct languages courses as follows:
Thai Courses for Beginners
• 21 August – 4 October 2017
• Monday and Wednesday
• Time: 17:00 – 18:30
• Total of 20 hours
• Course Fee: 2,000 baht
Chinese Course for Beginners
• 21 August – 4 October 2017
• Monday and Wednesday
• Time: Group 1 (17:00 – 18:30) Group 2 (12:00-13:00)
• Total of 20 hours
• The course fee is 1,000THB due to the kind support of the Chinese Government through the Confucius Institute. (Refunds are not available.)
French Course for Beginners
• 23 August - 6 October 2017
• Wednesday and Friday
• Time: 17:00 – 18:30
• Total of 20 hours
• Course Fee: 2,000 baht
Register and make a payment at the Language Center, Room 216.
(iii) Events
(a) Blood Donation: 6 Sept. 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.
The next visit for blood donation is scheduled on Wednesday, 6 September 2017, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at the parking lot in front of the AIT Conference Center.
Give blood! You'll experience a fulfilling sense of contribution. And the donation process isn't time-consuming. It only takes about half an hour. For more information about blood donation please see the attached.
(i) Acting President between 10-17 August 2017
Please be informed that the President will be on leave from 10th – 17th August 2017.
Therefore, during the above mentioned period, Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, Vice President for Administration has kindly agreed to serve as Acting President during 10th – 16th August 2017 and Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs on 17th August 2017 to take care of urgent matters related to the Office of the President.
(ii) AIT’s new batch is a unique global microcosm
Ever since its inception in 1959, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been a microcosm of the entire world, and 4 August 2017 was no exception. The incoming batch of August 2017 had students ranging from Canada to Fiji, and from Ecuador to Japan, representing virtually all corners of the world.
As students from all over assembled at the AIT landmark for their first group photograph, they joined the larger AIT family that boasts of a global footprint spread across 101 countries. The latest batch latest batch of AIT students comes from 34 countries and they hail from Oceania, Asia, Europe, Africa, and North & South America. AIT is also proud to welcome its first students from Costa Rica and Ecuador.
“AIT’s role has changed over the past few decades,” President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai told the incoming batch. Focusing on the development of the region during its early days, AIT is now a platform for global collaboration, Prof. Worsak said. A lot has changed since AIT was founded in 1959 - geopolitically, economically and socially. But one thing has not changed, and that is that no other institute in the world can duplicate what AIT has achieved, he added. “Our role is to prepare globally responsible citizens,” the AIT President said as he pointed out that the Institute focuses on innovation and tackling global issues for sustainable future of mankind.
Also welcoming the new students were the three Vice Presidents - Prof. Sivanappan Kumar (Academic Affairs), Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto (Administration), and Mr. Surendra Shrestha (Development), and the three Deans - Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul (School of Engineering and Technology), Prof. Rajendra Shrestha (School of Environment, Resources and Development), and Prof. Lawrence S. Abeln (School of Management).
Incoming students were informed about Language Center services and English language requirements by Dr. Freek Olaf de Groot, Director, Language Center; Innovation and startup opportunities by Dr. Naveed Anwar, Director, AIT Solutions; Academic requirements and practices by Ms. Laarni Roa, Director, Office of Student Affairs (OSA); Career Center and Student Welfare by Ms. Carla Gonzales, Coordinator, Career Center and Student Welfare Unit; IT services and policies by Dr. Harianto, IT Consultant; facilities management and accommodation policies by Khun Wanchai Sophonsakulrat, Director, Office of Facilities and Assets Management; and educational visa and Government relations services by Suda Inta, Sr. Government Officer, Government Relations Unit, Office of Host Country Relations; Mr. Laarni Roa, Head, OSA, and Dr. Tenzin Ragbyal, Coordinator, Admissions, Scholarships/Invoicing Unit were the emcees at the Orientation Day program.
Video Playlist: https://goo.gl/wD3sFM
Photo Gallery: https://goo.gl/b9FiEz
(iii) Online Performance Appraisal 2017 (covering the period from 1 July 2016-30 June 2017)
Please be informed that the online performance appraisal for this year 2017, covering the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 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 23 August 2017.
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.
Should you encounter technical problems, please report them to Helpdesk (helpdesk@ait.asia ). Please convey other feedback to OHRS (hro@ait.asia ).
(iv) Library orientation for August 2017 semester
AIT Library will organize the library orientation for news students who enrol in August 2017 semester from 15th - 18th August. The morning session begins at 9:00 a.m. and the afternoon session at 1:00 p.m. New students please select the convenient date and time and send e-mail to Khun Watcharin, Head of Public Service at watcharin@ait.asia . She can also be reached at Tel. extension - 5853.
If these dates (15th - 18th August 2017) are not convenient for any student, library orientation for a small group can be arranged. Please make an appointment with Khun Watcharin.
(v) New Locations of the Offices in the Administration Building
The Administration Building is under renovation. Most offices in the building have moved 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 223, 2nd Floor of the Administration Building
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: Ground Floor of the Admin Building (beside cashier).
Office of Finance: Admin (No Change)
Office of Purchasing and Inventory Procurement: Admin (No Change)
Office of Student and Affairs: Admin (No Change)
Office of GRU: Admin, located between Financial Dept. and Purchasing Office
(i) Renovation work at AIT Extension Building
Please be informed that Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM) is now renovating the AIT Extension Building with the following schedule.
1. Replacement of floor tile of the walk way on the 2nd floor (18 Jul - 16 Aug'17)
2. Replacement of the office wooden doors to glass doors (8 - 16 Aug'17)
(ii) Dorm F Renovation
Please be informed that Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM)
has started the renovation of dorm F and is scheduled to be complete by end of August 2017.
During this renovation period, there might be loud noise and also some disturbance on the pathway near to dorm F.
OFAM apologizes for any inconveniences that may cause and requests kind understanding from the AIT Community.
(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).
• Delegation from Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF), led by Mr. Toshiyuki Nakai, President, KWEF / 16 August 2017 / to attend Kurita Scholarship Award Ceremony
• Delegation from Beijing Normal University and China Science Mapuniverse Technology Co., Ltd. (MAPUNI), Beijing, China / 17 – 18 August 2017 / to sign MoU between AIT and MAPUNI
• Delegation from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam / 18 August 2017 / to enhance delegates’ knowledge and the expertise from AIT on training and coaching programs; to gain experience in AIT academic environment and from facility, equipment, classrooms visit; and to understand AIT’s operations and organizational structure
Prof. Ganesh Prasad Shivakoti / Kathmandu, Bharatpur, Nepal / 25 June – 3 July 2017*
Mr. Bayasgalan Sanduijav / Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia / 18 July – 14 August 2017
Ms. Pallavi Das / Petchaburi, Thailand / 24 – 25 July 2017*
Mr. Hendra Gupta / Hanoi, Vietnam / 1 – 4 August 2017*
Dr. Jonathan Shawn / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 1 – 5 August 2017*
Dr. Than Lin / Okayama, Japan / 3 – 14 August 2017
Dr. Apichon Witayangkurn / Savanakhet, Laos / 4 – 11 August 2017*
Dr. Sanit Arunplod / Savannakhet, Laos / 4 – 11 August 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 5 – 6 August 2017*
Mr. Furqan Ali Shaikh / Karachi, Quelta, Sukkur, Pakistan / 6 August – 23 September 2017
Dr. Thammarat Koottatep / Kathmandu, Nepal / 8 – 11 August 2017*
Dr. Julaikha Hossain / Dhaka, Bangladesh / 8 – 14 August 2017
Dr. Sangam Shrestha / Vientiane, Laos / 9 – 11 August 2017*
Mr. Voravate Chonlasin / Chonburi and Rayong, Thailand / 10 – 12 August 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 11 – 12 August 2017*
Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi / Delhi-NCR, Greater Noida, India / 11 – 14 August 2017
Dr. Lal Samarakoon / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 15 – 20 August 2017
Mr. Nawarathnage L. Deshapriya / Pohnpel, Micronesia / 18 August – 11 September 2017
Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul / Beijing, P.R. China / 20 – 24 August 2017
Prof. Lawrence Stephen Abeln / Taipei, Taiwan and Shanghai, China, and Seoul, Korea / 20 – 30 August 2017
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
Position: Administrative Staff (Program Officer) (Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific)
Ref. No. 27/17
Deadline: 15 August 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/459
Position: Technical Staff (Laboratory Supervisor) (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No. 23/17
Deadline: 20 August 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/455
Position: Administrative Staff (Assistant Program Officer) (Internet Education and Research Laboratory (intERLab))
Ref. No. 33/17
Deadline: 25 August 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/465
Position: Technical Staff (Laboratory Supervisor) (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No. 32/17
Deadline: 31 August 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/464
Faculty Position: Assistant or Associate Professors Positions (School of Management)
Ref. No. Fac 2/17
Deadline: 30 September 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/451