WEEK#2, 13 – 19 January 2020

 In this issue:

A. Announcements

B. Events 

C. Visitors

D. Faculty and Staff Travel 

E. Classified (jobs

A. Announcement

  i)     New AITCV Director

E-mail from AIT President on 13 January 2020.

Dear AIT family members,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dong Van Phung as the new Director of AIT Centre in Vietnam (AIT-CV), effective 1 February 2020. 

Dr. Dong - a Vietnamese national - is currently Director of the Department of R&D Software Solutions for Smart Cities, AIC Group, projects invested by Government, Ministries, many provinces and cities in Vietnam. He also holds an academic position at Hanoi University. 

Dr. Dong received his Ph.D. from the University of Technology Sydney in the area of Information Systems; Master of Science degree in Information System Design from the University of Central Lancashire (UK); Master of Arts degree in Education Management from the National Institute of Education Management, Vietnam; and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Sciences, Vietnam. 

Dr. Dong will be responsible for promoting AIT mission in Vietnam and will work with myself and with the Vice President for Academic Affairs closely.  All of us, whether in the AIT main campus or in the Vietnam offices of AITCV, should give our utmost support to Dr. Dong as he works on positioning AITCV in a more relevant way with respect to the host country Vietnam and in a closer mutually beneficial relationship with AIT main campus.  

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Dong in his new role.

The previous AITCV Director, Dr. Fredric Swierczek, stepped down from that post and ended his relationship with AIT on 31 December 2019.  We are grateful to Dr. Fredric for his long service to AIT and for his leadership at AITCV in recent years. I wish him the best of luck in the next phase of his life. 

Thank you very much

Dr. Eden Woon

President

 ii)     AIT Medical Clinic Services

E-mail from Office of the Human Resources Services on 7 January 2020

The mission of the AIT Medical Clinic is to provide the best possible medical care, disease prevention and health promotion to AIT students, employees and their dependents.  To enable the AIT Clinic to provide a broader and longer service, starting from January 2020 the clinic will have an extended clinic hour up to 5.00 p.m.

In addition to the general medical care and health counseling given by the general practitioners, the clinic also provides consultations in ENT (ear, nose, throat) and Rehabilitation Physician (physical rehabilitation). The Clinic hours are as follows: 

Date

Time

Type of doctors

Name of the Doctors

Monday

09:00 – 12:00

General Medicine

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatnarin Metheekul

14.00 – 17.00

General Medicine

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatnarin Metheekul

Tuesday

09:00 – 12:00

General Medicine

Dr. Visanee Srivisal

14.00 – 17.00

General Medicine

Lect. Lt. Col. Krittin Silanum

Wednesday

09:00 – 12:00

General Medicine

Dr. Thanu Komolsai

13:00 – 17:00

General Medicine

Dr. Chatree Jongsirilerd

Thursday

09:00 – 12:00

General Medicine

Dr. Visanee Srivisal

14:00 – 15:00

ENT Specialist

(Ear, Nose, Throat)

Dr. Amornwan Nilsuwan

Friday

09:00 – 12:00

General Medicine

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chatnarin Metheekul

15.00 – 17.00

Rehabilitation Specialist

Dr. Chuenchom Chueluecha

 *Remark: Any changes to the above schedule are announced via email.

The AIT Medical Center can be reached at 02-524-5286 during office hours (from 7.30 to 17.00 hours), from Monday to Friday; and through 02-524-5555 for 24-hour medical emergency service.

Laboratory: 

Employees can avail of a free standard blood test from the AIT Medical Clinic.

Blood tests for blood sugar, lipid profile, liver function, uric acid and renal function (BUN, Cr) as routine (standard) blood chemistry; hemoglobin (anemia) and urine examination (no pregnancy test) are available.  Other necessary tests can be referred to the Thammasat University Hospital laboratory service. Electrocardiogram is also available.
     
Medical appliance/apparatus:

Crutches, canes and wheelchairs can be borrowed from the AIT Medical Clinic.  A refundable deposit will be required.  The nurse on duty can be contacted for borrowing these appliance/apparatus.

Student’s Insurance:

Those insured under the Generali Medical Insurance should present their Generali Card before consulting with the doctor for the diagnosis of any illness. Any medical expenses incurred will be charged to the Generali Insurance.  If a doctor is not consulted, students will be required to pay in cash.
 
Medical Emergencies:

Emergency medical care is available at the AIT Medical Clinic at all times. In case of a medical emergency, please call 5555, the Nurse will call the guard to take her to the patient’s location using the golf cart. If the patient needs to be taken to the hospital, the Nurse will call the ambulance through 1669.

The AIT Medical Clinic’s emergency care service is not a hospital emergency room.  Emergency illness conditions such as suspected heart attack, stroke or poisoning require immediate treatment at the nearest hospital emergency room.  If anyone is too ill to come to the Clinic or to go to a hospital without assistance, please call 5555 or 1669 directly for Emergency Medical Service (provided by the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand).

Night-Shift Nurse:

 A night-shift nurse, who is on duty from 19:30 to 07:30 hours is reserved for medical emergencies.  For safety and security reasons, the door of the Medical Clinic is locked from 22:00 to 07:30 hours.  In medical emergency cases or if any medical emergency assistance is required, the nurse on duty can be contacted at 02-524-5555. 

  iii) New AIA insurance medical cards are now available

E-mail from Office of the Human Resources Services on 8 January 2020

Dear AIT Faculty and Staff,

This is to kindly inform you that your new AIA insurance medical card is now available and ready to be picked up at the Office of the Human Resources Office. 

You can come or send your Secretary on your behalf to collect your insurance card anytime at your convenience during office hours.

Important reminders in using AIA insurance cards.

·  If you are a foreigner, please bring your passport and show it along with your AIA insurance card at the hospital reception before seeing a doctor.

·  If you are a Thai person, please provide your Thai identification card.

·  Laboratory coverage is up to a maximum of Baht 5,000.  To claim your reimbursement for your laboratory expenses, please submit to OHRS the original receipt and the original medical certificate.

·  For consultations done with a none-network hospital, you must pay the hospital bill first, then submit the original receipt and original medical certificate to OHRS to process your reimbursement at AIA.

Submit all these documents to OHRS within 90 days from the date of your consultation/discharge, otherwise, AIA will not process the reimbursement.

 

The list of affiliated hospitals is intranet available at HRIS . Please click " About the Medical Plan " to view the details. 

 

(iv)    Join Us at AIT Graduates Club Launch on 20 January 2020 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

 

(v) 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 Da

 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.

 

   (vi) 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).
• 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.
 
B. Events
    (i)TRAININGS / COURSES
 
     (a) 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 pays. 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.
     
(b) 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
 
(c) Joint Mid-Term Science and Stakeholder Workshop
Joint Mid-Term Science and Stakeholder Workshop on "ENRICH: Enhancing Resilience to Future Hydro-Meteorological Extremes in the Mun River Basin in Northeast of Thailand" & "STAR: Strengthening Thailand's Agricultural Drought Resilience" Projects on 16 January 2020 at AIT Conference Center.
 
 
C. Visitors
  • Signing agreement between AIT President and Dr. Thongchat Hongladarom, KMUTT.
 
D. Faculty and Staff Travel
Miss Nuntarat Boonlao / Pathumthani, Thailand / 1 December 2019 – 30 May 2020
Dr. K. R. Salin/ Kochi, India/ 23 December 2019 – 11 January 2020*
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
Ms. Thaniya Jirasathitpornpong/ Phuket/ 14 – 18 February 2020
Ms. Nadthakant Suklap/ Phuket/ 14 – 18 February 2020
Prof. Joyashree Roy/ Bangladesh/ 6 – 9 January 2020
Mr. Clifford M. Gasillos/ Khon Kaen, Thailand/ 20 – 23 January 2020
Dr. Oleg Shipin/ Khon Kaen, Thailand/ 7 – 10 January 2020
Mr. Thanit Pattana/ Khon Kaen, Thailand/ 20 – 23 January 2020
Dr. Huynh Trung Luong/ Khon Kaen, Thailand/ 20 – 23 January 2020
Mr. Hoang Hung Manh/ Khon Kaen, Thailand/ 20 – 23 January 2020
Dr. Pisut Koomsap/ Khon Kaen, Thailand/  20 – 24 January 2020
Prof. Thammarat Koottatep/ Jakarta, Indonesia/ 19 – 22 January 2020
Mr. Don Rajitha Malshan Athukorala/ Vientiane, Laos/ 9 – 18 January 2020
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
 
 
E. Classifieds (Jobs)
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