WEEK #32: 7 - 13 August 2017
In this issue:
(i) AIT Newsletter: August 2017
The August 2017 edition of the monthly AIT Newsletter shares stories about four major donations, an ambassadorial visit, bilateral testimonies from India and Bangladesh, conferences and camps and much more.
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(ii) Condolences
It is with great sadness to announce that the father of Khun Narumon Wangnai passed away on Wednesday, 2 August 2017 in Phrae Province. The religious rite took place at Boonraksak Temple, Amphur Muang, Phrae Province from Wednesday, 2 August 2017 until Friday 4 August 2017. The cremation was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 at 12:00 hrs.
The AIT Community wish to express our heartfelt condolences to her and her family during this time of bereavement.
(iii) Survey on banning plastic bags in AIT
On an average a person living in Thailand uses 8 plastic bags per day, and the rate of dumping plastics in collected garbage is growing at 10% per year. A report from American Ocean Conservancy estimates that five Asian countries (China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand) are responsible for 60% of the plastic waste dumped into ocean. (https://phys.org/news/2016-09-threat-plastic-bags-clog-bangkok.html)
In 2015, Thammasat University has requested students and staff members to join the zero plastic bags program by not to take plastic bags from 12 branches of 7-11shop in the University. It was later found that within 6 months, the shops could save plastic bags more than 800,000 bags (Source: ISCN 2017 Report). February 2017 onwards the stores at Chulalongkorn University were banned from providing free plastic bags for shopping goods, which followed a drive to donate clean and usable plastic bags at various drop-boxes across the campus.
Instead of recycling and reusing, if we try to stop the use of plastic bags, we would be able to save a lot of energy and water, along with reducing the burden on landfill.
AIT Community are encouraged to fill the below google form from campus sustainability club regarding ban of plastic bags in AIT.
(iv) 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 ).
(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 B109
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: Room 102 (ground floor), Outreach Building
Office of Finance: Room 225 (2nd Floor)
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) EVENTS
(a) Orientation Day for Undergraduate students: 11 Aug. 2017
11 August 2017, 08:00 am to 12:00 pm, AIT Ext. Bldg. Room 115
REGISTRATION (08:00 am - 08:30 am)
Master of Ceremony: Mr. Freek Olaf de Groot, Director, Language Center
08:30 am - 09:00 am
- Welcome Address by Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, AIT Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Brief Remarks by Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul, SET Dean
- Brief Remarks by Mr. Sudheer Yadav, AIT Student Union President
09:00 am – 09:15 am
- Group Photo
09:15 am - 10:00 am
- Introduction to SET Undergraduate Program
by Assoc. Prof. Matthew Dailey, Coordinator, SET Undergraduate Program - Introduction to Information & Communication Technology, Telecommunication, Computer Science, and Information Systems Programs
by Assoc. Prof. Matthew Dailey, Department Head, ICT - Introduction to Mechatronics, Electronics, and Industrial Engineering Programs
by Assoc. Prof. Pisut Koomsap, Department Head, ISE - Introduction to Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Programs
by Prof. Pennung Warnitchai, Department Head, CIE
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Pep Talk
by Dr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Coordinator, Admissions & Scholarships Unit - Language Center Services and the English Language Requirements
by Mr. Freek Olaf de Groot, Director, Language Center - Career Center and Student Welfare
by Ms. Joan Carla Gonzales, Coordinator, Student Welfare Unit and Career Center - Campus-wide IT Services and Policies
by Dr. Agus Harianto, IT Consultant, ITServ - Educational Visa and Government Relations Services
by Khun Suda Inta, Senior Government Relations Officer, Government Relations Unit - Facilities Management
by Khun Wanchai Sophonsakulrat, Director, Office of Facilities and Assets
(b) 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.
(ii) (i) LECTURES / SEMINARS / CONFERENCE
(a) 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.
(b) Special Lecture on “Super-Continent, Neo-Renaissance and Cultural Communication: Millennium Mindset Transformation induced by the Belt and Road Initiative”: 18 Aug. 2017
Prof. Da Hsuan Feng, Scientist & Director of Global Affairs and Special Advisor to Rector, University of Macau, will deliver a special lecture on “Super-Continent, Neo-Renaissance and Cultural Communication: Millennium Mindset Transformation induced by the Belt and Road Initiative” on 18 August 2017, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at AIT Auditorium.
(c) 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
(d) (a) 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
(i) Unbalanced tree branches trimming - access to few area closed - 5th to 9th August
Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM)’s landscape team has surveyed the campus for unbalanced big trees. The office found that it needs to hard trim the branches of few trees to avoid any accidents. So please be informed that OFAM has started the work of tree branches hard trimming from 5 August 2017. There are some areas that need to be closed as follows:
Date: 7 - 9 August 2017
Time: 07.30 am – 4: 30 p.m.
Area effected: Bridge between Student Village 1-2, Road beside AIT Main Ground Field Pavillion
(ii) 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.
- Replacement of floor tile of the walk way on the 2nd floor (18 Jul - 16 Aug'17)
- Replacement of the office wooden doors to glass doors (8 - 16 Aug'17)
(iii) 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.
(iv) 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 Beijing Normal University and China Science Mapuniverse Technology Co., Ltd. (MAPUNI), Beijing, China / 17 – 18 August 2017 / to sign MoU between AIT and MAPUNI
Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh / San Francisco, California, USA / 1 June – 7 August 2017
Mr. Bayasgalan Sanduijav / Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia / 18 July – 14 August 2017
Miss Sirinapha Srinonil / Nan, Thailand / 26 – 27 July 2017*
Dr. Nophea Sasaki / Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand / 28 – 29 July 2017*
Ms. Slanee Meeto / Chonburi, Thailand / 28 – 29 July 2017*
Ms. Shreya Pradhan / Chiangrai, Thailand / 30 July – 1 August 2017*
Ms. Jiraporn Kudeerak / Chiangrai, Thailand / 30 July – 1 August 2017*
Ms. Pitiruedee Angkhananuchat / Chiangrai, Thailand / 30 July – 1 August 2017*
Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe / Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia / 2 – 5 August 2017*
Dr. Shah Syed Faizul Hassan / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 3 – 5 August 2017*
Nisarat Tansakul, Preechai Mekbungwan and Nunthaphat Weshsuwannarugs / Tak, Thailand / 3 – 8 August 2017*
Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 4 – 6 August 2016*
Dr. Masahiko Nagai / Fukuoka, Japan / 7 – 10 August 2017
Ms. Chatchata Prasongsuk / Chonburi and Rayong, Thailand / 10 – 12 August 2017
Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi / Delhi-NCR, Greater Noida, India / 11 – 14 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: 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