WEEK#1, 6 – 12 January 2020
In this issue:
(i) President's New Year 2020 Message
Dear AIT Family Member,
Welcome back after the New Year Holidays! I hope you had a good rest during the break, and that you are ready for an exciting 2020! I also welcome the almost 100 new regular and exchange students joining AIT for the January Semester 2020. We wish them luck in the pursuit of their studies at AIT!
Our 60th Anniversary Year may be over, but our work in Transforming AIT continues. To do that, we need everyone to pitch in! AIT cannot be more innovative, more global, more entrepreneurial, more relevant, and more caring without every one of the AIT Family dedicating themselves, from students to faculty to staff to this goal. This year is an important one for AIT because its the first full year that the new leadership team is on board, and this is the first full year that the new Roadmap implementing our I2E2S2 strategy is in effect. How successful we are in Transforming AIT depends to a large extent on what we do over the next twelve months!
Again, I hope you had a Happy New Year, and I wish to extend early greetings for the Lunar New Year coming in less than three weeks! See you around campus!
Dr. Eden Woon
President
(ii) Join Us at AIT Graduates Club Launch on 20.01.20 at AIT
Email from Vice President for Knowledge Transfer (18 Dec. 2019)
Dear AIT Community,
We are pleased to share with you that AIT and AIT Alumni Association have jointly initiated the AIT Graduates Club. This is a platform for long-term professional engagement between AIT graduates and their Alma Mater with focus on continuing education, career development, collaborative activities and connectivity. The club will provide extensive benefits to the graduates and opportunity to contribute to the Institute.
The club will be officially launched on 20 January 2020. This space will be dedicated for providing a home to graduates in AIT and for various activities conducted by the club, together with other units in AIT.
Program:
09:15- 09:30 Guest Arrival
9:30 – 9:35 Ribbon cutting ceremony
· Dr. Eden Y Woon, President, AIT
· Chairman, AIT Board of Trustees (TBC)
· Dr. Chusak Narkprasit, Executive Secretary, AITAA Executive Committee
· President, AITAA Thailand Chapter (TBC)
· Ms. Maria Fe Nuestro Ferriols, President, AITAA
9:35 - 9:45 Welcome Remarks
Dr. Eden Y Woon, President, AIT
9:45 – 10:00 Introduction to AIT Graduates Club
Dr. Naveed Anwar, Vice President for Knowledge Transfer, AIT
10:00 – 10:15 Remarks from AIT Alumni Association
Dr. Chusak Narkprasit, Executive Secretary, AITAA Executive Committee
10:15 – 10:20 Launch of the AIT Graduates Club website
10:20 -10:45 Group Photo session | Coffee break & Networki
Please register online here to attend the launch program.
For more information on AIT Graduates Club, please contact Ms. Shreya Pradhan (graduatesclub@ait.ac.th cc shreya@ait.ac.th)
We look forward to meeting with you.
Dr. Naveed Anwar
Vice President for Knowledge Transfer, AIT
(iii) AIT official public holidays and year-end Break for the Year 2020
Director of Academic Administration (8 Oct. 2019)
In line with Institute policies, the AIT Management agreed to designate the following 13 official public holidays, and 6-day year-end break, for the year 2020.
§ 1 January, Wednesday -- New Year's Day
§ 2 January, Thursday -- Year-end Break
§ 6 April, Monday -- Chakri Memorial Day
§ 13 April, Monday -- Songkran Festival
§ 14 April, Tuesday -- Songkran Festival
§ 1 May, Friday -- National Labor Day
§ 4 May, Monday -- Coronation Day
§ 6 May, Wednesday -- Visakha Bucha Day
§ 3 June, Wednesday -- H.M. Queen Suthida's Birthday
§ 28 July, Tuesday -- H.M. the King's Birthday
§ 12 August, Wednesday -- H.M. the King's Mother Birthday
§ 13 October, Tuesday -- H.M. late King Bhumibol Memorial Day
§ 23 October, Friday -- Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
§ 7 December, Monday -- Birthday Anniversary of H. M. late King's Bhumibol Adulyadej (substitute for 5 December, Saturday)
§ 25 December, Friday -- Year-end Break
§ 28 December, Monday -- Year-end Break
§ 29 December, Tuesday -- Year-end Break
§ 30 December, Wednesday -- Year-end Break
§ 31 December, Thursday -- Year-end Break
Please be guided accordingly.
(iv) Revised P&Ps: FB-4-1-1 and FS-1-2-1
Email from Director, Office of Academic Administration (17 Dec. 2019)
At the 13 December 2019 meeting of the AIT Management Team, on the endorsement of the AIT Governing and Management Teams, the President approved the following revised Institute P&Ps:
§ (revised) FB-4-1-1 Employee Official Travel
• Revised stipulations on DSA for official travel by air (V.B.4.) or by land (V.B.5.).
• Discontinuation of an additional full day’s allowance for travels over 24 hours.
• Reduction of DSA for some countries in line with the lowest UN DSA rates.
• Use of country specific rates and prevailing rate per kilometer for transportation modes (taxis, rented cars, private vehicles) where no official receipt is submitted (embarkation-disembarkation points to be specified).
§ (revised) FS-1-2-1 Campus Housing for Employees
• Added stipulation in III. 3.2 iii.
• Non-provision of employee contracts to OFAM/Accommodation Unit, which shall directly verify employment periods with OHRS
• Clarified eligibility conditions for short-term accommodation (fully furnished) units
• Included the following stipulation in the lease agreement: “where applicable, a notice period terminating the lease”.
• Removed the specified replacement period for furnishings and fittings. The replacement cycle will depend on the condition of each item and on the discretion of the OFAM Director.
These P&P statements are Intranet-published at Policies and Procedures (P&Ps), as well as attached herewith for easy reference.
Please be guided accordingly.
(v) Consultancy Opportunity: Provision of Project Preparation Services through Green Climate Fund Project Preparation Facility
Email from RRC.AP (19 Dec. 2019)
Dear AIT Faculty and Staff,
We are happy to share an exciting opportunity for your immediate review and response, please.
AIT has been invited to submit a proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the delivery of Provision of Project Preparation Services through GCF Project Preparation Facility.
The Green Climate Fund is part of the Finance Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), established with the purpose of making significant and ambitious contributions to global efforts towards attaining the goals set by the international community to combat climate change.
The GCF Project Preparation Facility (PPF) supports project and programme preparation requests especially for projects in the micro-to-small size category. This support includes feasibility studies, gender assessments, and environmental and social assessments, among other inputs required for the submission of a Funding Proposal to the GCF.
Details of the RFP are available on the GCF website via the link https://www.greenclimate.fund/procurements/rfp-2019-c-041
The drafting of the proposal is being coordinated by the AIT Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (AIT RRC.AP). In order to map out institute-wide expertise and interest for inclusion in this proposal, we are happy to invite you to express your interest to be included as an expert consultant. Inclusion will be based on your professional expertise and experience under the impact areas and delivery outputs outlined in this opportunity.
For this purpose, please complete the online form linked below (time to complete 2 minutes) as soon as possible, but preferably by Wednesday 8 January 2020. Given the short timeframe for proposal development, submissions after this date cannot be guaranteed to be included. Staff of the AIT-RRC.AP will be following up with you with instructions for the inclusion of your CV in the proposal.
https://forms.gle/8Js6YZeggXwAZvap6
For any questions, email jonathan@rrcap.ait.ac.th
(i)TRAININGS / COURSES
(a) GNSS for Policy & Decision Makers: 6 – 8 Jan. 2019
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is widely used in almost all systems that require absolute position and time. It is due to its accuracy, availability and reliability. In addition to GPS of the United States, several other systems such as GLObal Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) of the Russian Federation, the European global navigation system (Galileo) of the European Union, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) of China, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC), India and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), Japan are now available. Collectively, they are called GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). Today, a GNSS receiver can provide centimeter level accuracy even with a low-cost receiver, if an error correction technique is used. Thus, availability of low-cost and high-accuracy receivers will eventually increase GNSS related applications and its market. In order to keep the pace with these new applications and technological developments, it is necessary to develop human resources and skills.
Geoinformatics Center of Asian Institute of Technology (GIC/AIT) together with the Center for Spatial Information Science of The University of Tokyo (CSIS/UT) and International Committee on GNSS (ICG) are taking initiatives to create awareness on GNSS and its applications in Asia and the Pacific region. This program is a part of this initiative.
(b) Training on GNSS-Course: 6 – 10 Jan. 2019
Jointly Organized by GIC/AIT, CSIS/UT and ICG
Training on GNSS - Course: T151-40 (06 - 10 Jan 2020)
Geoinformatics Center of Asian Institute of Technology (GIC/AIT) together with the Center for Spatial Information Science of The University of Tokyo (CSIS/UT) and International Committee on GNSS (ICG) are taking initiatives to create awareness on GNSS and its applications in Asia and the Pacific region. This program is a part of the initiatives and organizing the training program for the 3rd time in AIT.
More Information: geoinfo.ait.ac.th/gnss-training-2020/
(c)EL course schedule for the January 2020 Semester
Email from AIT Language Center (7 Jan. 2020)
The registration for Academic English (EL) classes for the January 2020 Semester is now open. Please click here and choose from the available time slots (AIT login is required) before the deadline on Friday 17 January 2020 (Adding/Dropping). Classes start on 22 January 2020.
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. 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: 3,000 Baht one-time flat fee to all newly enrolled students. This is extra from the 2,000 Baht one-time flat fee for Language Support that all new students are required to pay.
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 during a given semester, you will need to submit a memo requesting the EL exemption on a semester basis stating clearly that you intend to join in the following semester. Should you wish to drop the course completely and submit a standardized test score (IELTS or TOEFL), you can do so by submitting a memo stating clearly that you will submit a satisfactory writing score (6 or higher) from a standardized test before thesis credit enrollment. Please note that once you declare this, you will not be allowed to take the AIT English test to fulfil your English requirements.
For January 2020 Semester, memos will need to be approved by your advisor and submitted to and approved by the Language Center before 17 January 2020 (AIT adding/dropping date). If you fail to drop the EL course you are enrolled in before 7 February, you will still be invoiced and 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. Students who have not met the English language requirements by the third semester of study will not be allowed to register for thesis or research credits.
(d) Thai Course
Email from AIT Language Center (7 Jan. 2020)
Dear AIT Community,
The Language Center is pleased to announce the opening of Thai Courses for Beginners. Please find details below,
Speaking and Listening for Beginners
The 20-hour course is an introduction to Thai languages which will cover basic words, phrases, daily and simple expressions and basic grammatical structures to communicate with Thais. The participants develop their Thai listening and speaking skills through role-plays and tasks. The purpose of the course is to introduce participants to the principles and basic of Thai language as used in everyday conversation. Moreover, the course will prepare them to feel confident to communicate with Thais and feel at ease while staying in Thailand.
Course timetable
3 February - 18 March 2020
Monday and Wednesday from 17:00 – 18:30
Reading and Writing for Beginners
This course is an introduction to reading and writing. It is the 7-week course that is designed for those who do not know how to read and write Thai language. The participants will practice reading letters and learn how to spell words and make up words.
Course timetable
4 February - 19 March 2020
Tuesday and Thursday from 17:00 – 18:30
Speaking and Listening for Intermediate Level
This course will cover more vocabulary and grammatical structures to communicate with Thais. Students will learn how to make sentences and practice speaking with a teacher and friends to help them speak naturally.
Course timetable
3 February - 18 March 2020
Monday and Wednesday from 18:30 – 20:00
Course Fee: 2,500 baht for AIT community and 3,000 baht for outsiders
Total 20 hours, 2 days a week
Register and make a payment at the Language Center, Room 216
• Visitors from Colorado State University, USA on 8 January 2020.
Miss Nuntarat Boonlao / Pathumthani, Thailand / 1 December 2019 – 30 May 2020
Mr. Russell Rein / Hanoi, Vietnam / 9 December 2019*
Mr. Noppadon Rittipongshusit / Hanoi, Vietnam / 9 December 2019*
Dr. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen / Hanoi, Vietnam / 16 – 20 December 2019*
Prof. Dieter Trau / Hyderabad, India / 17 – 19 December 2019*
Dr. Kavinda G. Hettiarachhige / Delhi, India / 18 – 20 December 2019*
Dr. Apichon Witayangkurn / Surat Thani, Thailand / 18 – 22 December 2019*
Dr. Sanit Arunplod / Surat Thani, Thailand / 18 – 22 December 2019*
Dr. Wenchao Xue / Shanghai, China / 19 – 21 December 2019*
Dr. Dundar Venkatesh / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 5 – 9 January 2020
Mr. Nawarathnage L. Deshapriya/ Vientiane, Laos/ 5 – 10 January 2020
Prof. Deepak Sharma / Hanoi, Vietnam / 6 – 8 January 2020
Dr. Eden Woon / Hanoi, Vietnam / 6 – 8 January 2020
Ms. Narumon Wangmai/ Phnom Penh, Cambodia/ 7 – 10 January 2020
Prof. C. Visvanathan / Chennai and Vijayawada, India / 6 – 12 January 2020
Mr. Thaileng Thol/ Vientiane, Laos/ 12 – 18 January 2020.
Mr. Tran Thanh Dan/ Vientiane, Laos/ 5 – 9 January 2020.
Dr. Kavinda Gunasekara/ Vientiane, Laos/ 8 – 15 January 2020
Dr. Attaphongse Taparugssanagorn / Brussels, Belgium / 13 – 17 January 2020
Dr. Naveed Anwar/ San Francisco, USA/ 26 – 31 January 2020
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
Position: Assistant/Associate Professor (School Of Environment Resources and Development)
Ref. No. 62/19
Deadline: 31 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/638
Position: Administrative Assistant (The Entrepreneurship Center)
Ref. No. 63/19
Deadline: 20 January 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/639