WEEK# 26, 4 - 10 July, 2022
In this issue:
C. Visitors/ MoU/ Agreement Signing
1) Invitation - Interaction Session with AIT Strategy Task Force, Wed., 6 July 2022, 9 - 10:30 am via Zoom
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As you might be aware, the AIT Board of Trustees has established a task force (Strategy Task Force) to conduct a comprehensive review of all aspects of AIT and to identify a feasible future direction that will ensure long-term relevance and financial viability of the institute. This initiative was motivated by the continuing concerns about the long-term viability of the institute.
Over the last few months, the task force members have had extensive initial discussions among themselves and have also (virtually) met with several external professionals some of whom, although without any formal connection to AIT, are familiar with AIT and, all of them, are known for their knowledge about the big challenges we face as societies, and the role of education. These discussions have produced some useful ideas. We will continue to reflect on these ideas, and we also plan to meet with some more individuals whom we think can provide us with useful inputs.
As these discussions continue, the task force feels that it will be worthwhile, at this stage, to give the AIT faculty and staff an opportunity to provide inputs into the process, so that their viewpoints could also be considered as the Task Force continues with the review. On behalf of the Task Force, I therefore extend an invitation to you to join a virtual (Zoom) meeting (details, as below).
At this meeting, we will seek your views specifically on the following questions:
a) What are the current and upcoming global mega trends, challenges, and issues? What is their relevance for Asia?
b) What kind of knowledge and skills will the professionals of tomorrow need to deal with the challenges and issues identified above?
c) Does the current education model of AIT adequately focus on preparing our students to deal with these challenges and issues?
d) How and where should AIT position itself in that space?
e) What are the key hurdles that AIT may face in achieving its goals?
f) How could these hurdles be removed?
We understand that you may find these questions to be too broad, but the task force is of the view that, at this stage of the review process, it would benefit from your inputs into these issues.
Following this meeting, the TF plans to consolidate its findings, and make preliminary recommendations to the Board either at its August meeting, or a specially convened meeting shortly thereafter. Based on the Board’s feedback, the next phase of this task will involve developing a detailed blueprint for the ‘preferred future model’ for AIT, including detailed strategies to implement change. There will be opportunities, at appropriate times, for further consultations with you and other stakeholders on these details. The final recommendations will be presented to the Board at its January 2023 meeting, and subject to Board’s approval, the process of implementing changes is expected to begin immediately thereafter.
Meeting details:
Topic: Strategy Task Force - Interaction with Faculty & Staff
Time: Wednesday, 6 July 2022, 09:00 to 10:30 AM Bangkok
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ait-ac-th.zoom.us/j/93434780140?pwd=YmRQZVcwK28waGNqYXo2R1Qxdjgw...
Meeting ID: 934 3478 0140
Passcode: 747624
If the proposed date/time for the meeting does not suit you, you are welcome to send me, via email, your thoughts on the questions noted above. If you wish to remain anonymous, please let me know – your name will not be disclosed.
I hope that you will be able to join the meeting – your viewpoints are of critical importance to this review.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Suwit Khunkitti, PhD
Chair – Strategy Task Force
Vice Chair, AIT Board of Trustees
Email – suwit@ait.asia
2) Updates from the AIT COVID-19 Task Force
Email from Director, Office of Academic Administration on 30 June 2022.
Dear AIT Family,
In this email we list the changes of Thailand policy regarding entry during this period when the COVID Pandemic is still with us, though subsiding. And we list the changes of AIT policies regarding entry and on campus access. Please take note, and always consult the Intranet for the latest information.
Thailand – Entry requirements from 1 July 2022 and further relaxation of measures:
With effect from 1 July 2022, the Thailand Pass registration for all travellers, both Thais and foreigners, has been removed along with the lifting of the US$10,000 health insurance requirement. All travellers with proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR or professional ATK test result, for those who are unvaccinated, can enter the country.
All provinces in the country will be designated as surveillance areas or “Green Zone” and entertainment venues can be opened according to relevant regulations. Temperature screening in buildings is no longer required, unless in high-risk areas. The wearing of a mask is a voluntary practice from now onwards. The Ministry of Public Health only recommends that the general public wear a mask in a crowded or poorly ventilated place or if they have symptoms. However, private property owners and public transport have the right to continue with a mask mandate if they want. So, even though one does not have to wear a mask outdoors, one may still be required to wear it to enter a shop, government building, or on public transport. As an example, wearing of masks on the BTS continues to be mandatory. There are different requirements for specific groups and the general public. Vulnerable groups who are not fully vaccinated, are highly encouraged to wear masks when present with others. COVID-19 infected and high-risk groups are strongly suggested to always wear masks when with others.
As the country approaches the “endemic stage”, the Government has reiterated the importance of universal prevention and universal vaccination. The Government continues to stress the importance of taking the booster shots to ensure the safety of the public and considering the reopening measures. The Central Vaccination Center at the Bang Sue Grand Station is open ‘every day’ for walk-in, from 9AM to 4PM, for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th shot. To be considered as fully vaccinated, incoming travellers must be vaccinated in accordance with the list of MoPH/WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines, in the right dosage and recommended interval between their 1st and the 2nd dose, at least 14 days before their travel plan.
AIT – Changes in COVID-19 related measures and campus arrangements
Work Arrangements – In our earlier announcement, it was mentioned that we will monitor the situation closely to see when we could eventually transition to full workforce reporting to the office and would make the necessary adjustments. Although the Thailand State of Emergency has been extended until 31 July 2022 and the country is still in Pandemic status, some faculty members have requested the resumption of full workforce reporting to office as soon as possible. After deliberation, the TF decided that starting from 4 July 2022, full in-person workforce reporting to office will be in effect. However, for the month of July only, since 2-3 positive cases still occur on AIT campus per week, immediate supervisors have the flexibility to allow their employees to work-from-home (WFH) some days, say 2 days per week, provided that their Unit's mission can still be accomplished. The necessary safety precautionary measures must always be ensured at the workplace. We all must be careful when COVID is still with us, but yet appearing to be receding.
Instruction – For the Fall 2022 semester, in-person classes will be the normal mode of instruction although hybrid arrangements would still be available for those who are unable to come into Thailand for reasons difficult to control. All students should take note and be ready to be on campus starting in August. For Intersem in July, hybrid instruction continues.
Updated Measures on Entry to AIT (from overseas) from 1 July 2022 – In light of the new Thailand entry measures, the following will be the AIT protocols for travelers from overseas arriving on campus:
For vaccinated travelers – Fully vaccinated travelers from overseas coming to AIT will no longer be required to take an ATK upon arrival in Thailand and on AIT campus.
For unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers – Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to do a 3-day Self-Isolation (SI), but will be required to take an ATK upon arrival in Thailand, before coming to AIT campus.
International Travels – Members of the AIT community must notify the AIT COVID-19 Task Force (covid19tf@ait.asia) of any inbound and outbound international travel. This is for information purposes only and not for approval.
Food outlets – Full seating capacity is already allowed in all eateries on campus. When serving food, organizers should consider sit-down set meals instead of a buffet. In case a buffet is organized, self-service is not yet allowed, and food servers must be well protected with masks and gloves. Organizers must ensure that the TF is informed of gatherings of 25 or more participants.
Gatherings – For indoor and outdoor gatherings, maximum participation is already allowed, but social distancing must still be observed. The Task Force must continue to be informed of gatherings of 25 or more participants so that the Task Force can provide advice/guidelines, as appropriate.
Updated Mask Mandate on Campus – Everyone is still required to wear a face mask when in the company of others, most especially when social distancing cannot be strictly observed.
Sports and other Facilities
Swimming Pool – There is no need for advance registration to use the swimming pool, but walk-in registration is required, with not more than 10 users at a time, and not more than an hour of use per user. Wednesdays are reserved for women users as practiced earlier.
Other Sports facilities – Outside visitors and non-AIT residents are now allowed to use the cricket field.
Hair Salons – The hair salons will be allowed to accept up to two (2) walk-in customers and up to two (2) waiting customers.
Precautionary Measures and COVID-19 Intranet Page – We continue to urge our community to maintain the safety and health measures under the universal prevention. It is important that we not let our guard down and remain vigilant and adhere to the COVID-19 precautionary measures and protocols.
For full details on the relaxed or liberalized as well as current/continuing measures please consult the COVID-19 Intranet page where all COVID-19 related information and updates from the Task Force are available.
Thank you.
AIT COVID-19 Task Force
3) The Visionary Entrepreneurs Talk of Ms. Lee Swee Lin (Forbes 30 under 30) of PichaEats
We are pleased to invite you to attend a very inspiring talk by the Co-founder of PichaEats, a platform that provides sustainable employment opportunities to the refugee community in Malaysia by empowering the refugee mothers to cook and sell their delicious authentic meals online. In her talk, Social Impact and Entrepreneurship: The Journey, Tips, and Challenges, Ms. Swee Lin Lee who is also on the list of Forbes 30 under 30, will take us on her entrepreneurial journey from having an idea to pursuing her startup and never giving up. Her story and the story of PichaEats might inspire our community to make whatever small idea we have turn into an entrepreneurial endevour that can change the lives of others, a positive impact for the society.
Swee Lin is also currently the Head of Enterprise in Leaderonomics, a cause-driven leadership development firm whose primary purpose is to solve society’s problems through leadership development. Topic: Social Impact and Entrepreneurship: The Journey, Tips, and Challenges
Date: 08 July 2022 (Friday)
Time: 4:00 PM ICT
Speaker: Ms. Lee Swee Lin
Head of Enterprise, Leaderonomics (Community)
Co-founder and COO, PichaEats
Forbes 30 under 30 2018 Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/ecvisionarytalk
C. Visitors/ MoU/ Agreement Signing
Dr. Christopher J. Garnier, AITEX/ Colombo, Srilanka/ 17 - 27 July 2022
Ms. Nadia Mohammadali Almarri, AITEX/ Pakistan/ 24 Kime - 20 July 2022
Dr. Visut Koomsap, ISE/ Ireland & USA/ 25 June - 14 July 2022
Prof. Mukand S. Babel, CIE-SET/ Singapore/ 2 - 10 July 2022
Dr. Adisorn Lertsinsrubtavee, intERLab/ Maesot, Tak/ 4 - 7 July 2022
Ms. Nisarat Tansakul, intERLab/ Maesot, Tak/ 4 - 7 July 2022
Prof. Sangam Shrestha, WEM-SET/ Nan, Thailand/ 3 - 6 July 2022
Mr. Lerdmanus Bumrungsup, SET/ Loas/ 2 - 17July 2022
Dr. Lai Nguyen Huy, SERD/ Vietnam/ 3 - 16 July 2022
Prof. Nguyen Thi Kin Oanh, SERD/ Vietnam/ 25 June - 16 July 2022
Dr. Ho Huu Loc, SET/ Vietnam/ 3 - 14 July 2022
Position: Administrative Officer, AI Center
Ref: 02/ 22
Deadline: 31 July 2022
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/782
Position: Media and Communications Officer, Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
Ref: 36/ 22
Deadline: 12 July 2022
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/786
Position: Research Assistant, EC
Ref: 37/ 22
Deadline: 31 July 2022
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/787
Position: Lab Supervisor, EEM-EEC
Ref: 25/ 22
Deadline: 31 August 2022
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/775