WEEK #46: 13 – 19 November 2017
In this issue:
(i) 45 ROYAL SCHOLARS RECEIVE AUDIENCE WITH HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN
Message from President: 6 Nov. 2017
Today, I brought 24 King's Scholars, 11 Queen's Scholars, and 10 GMS Scholars, to have royal audience and receive certificates from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Chitralada Palace. These are top students of August 2015 Intake who have graduated in May 2017 and still available to attend this honorable event.
The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Sahas Bunditkul, Chair of the Executive Committee, and my two Vice Presidents, Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, and Mr. Surendra Shrestha.
In an informal conversation after the ceremony, I have reported to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, also AIT Alumna in 1984, of the healthy situation of AIT today after recovery from its severe financial crisis in 2012-13. As I have declared not seeking for my second term, I informed HRH that we can look forward to the new President in July 2018 (under international search now) to come with fresh ideas in order to further AIT to a new height. The Board Chair also informed HRH of the planned celebration of AIT's 60th anniversary in 2019.
Note that since 1967, AIT and its host country (Thailand) have entered a series of 5-year cooperation plans, mostly in the form of capacity building for Thailand and other Asian Countries. Along with scholarships from other donor countries, Thailand has generously allocated 30 King's Scholarships, 15 Queen's Scholarships, and 15 GMS Scholarships for top students to study at AIT each year. Roughly, one half of these scholarships are earmarked for Thais and the other for international students. To be eligible, recipients of these scholarships must have a GPA over 3.5 or equivalence.
AIT President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
(ii) Congratulations to New AITAA President
Email from President: 11 Nov. 2017
Dear Alumni
It is my pleasure to recognize and congratulate Ms. Maria Fe Nuestro Ferriols (CA'82), the new President of Asian Institute of Technology Alumni Association (AITAA) based on the result of the election at its 46th Governing Board Meeting of AITAA in Taipei on November 4, 2017. The election was witnessed by Dr. Subin Pinkayan, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees.
Maria Fe Nuestro Ferriols graduated from Division of Computer Application (CA) of AIT in 1982. She is based in Manila, running her own IT consulting company and with other companies, for the last 37 working years. Her companies do work onsite and off-site. Her clients are not all in Philippines, but also in the USA, Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Japan.
During the last 4 years, AIT as an Institute has undergone many reforms under the guidance of the Board's Audit Committee, especially towards good governance and decentralization of administrative authorities. Before this AITAA-GB Meeting, I felt I had the obligation to challenge the alumni on the reform of AITAA in line with the changed landscape of our alumni.
With this outcome, I urge all alumni to give "Fe" your strong supports. She is the first AITAA President who is not a resident of Thailand. It is my belief that "Fe" is the right person, at this open era of globalization, especially to lead AITAA to a major reform based in her election manifesto, which includes:
"For us alumni, we need to be prepared to transform ourselves and our organization for this task of building the buttress for our beloved AIT. And this transformation will need re-architecting our structural design. Should changes be made, the Statutes Committee will be tasked to disseminate the changes and its impact to the operations of the AITAA."
Thus before I leave AIT, this is a best gift from AITAA. Now I am able to anticipate the planned invigoration of AITAA so it can reconnect and represent the interest of the 22,000 individual alumni at large.
I urge all individual alumni who have ideas and suggestions on reform to offer yourselves for this service. I am sure Fe would be happy to hear from you. You may contact Fe via her email: feferriols@yahoo.com
With regards,
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
AIT President
(iii) Confirmed Notes AIT Management 5 October 2017 and Revised P&P AA-9-4-1
Email from Director, Office of Academic Administration: 9 Nov. 2017
At its meeting this morning, the AIT Management confirmed the notes of its 5 October 2017 meeting, which are now Intranet-published at AIT Management Confirmed Meeting Notes , as well as attached herewith for easy reference.
Through the recommendation of the IT Committee and endorsement of the AIT Management, the President approved the following revised Institute Policy and Procedure (P&P) Statement:
§ (revised) AA-9-4-1 Use of Computing and Network Services at AIT
Added missing and incomplete information; and Structural and other changes for consistency and readability.
This revised P&P statement is Intranet-published at Policies and Procedures / (AA) Academic and Administrative Affairs .
Please be guided accordingly.
(iv) Graduation Schedules and Reminders
Email from Registry Unit, Office of Student Affairs: 2 Nov. 2017
For your information and reference, below are the graduation schedules and other deadlines:
Friday, 1 December 2017: Deadline to submit all graduating files to Registry;
Monday, 4 December 2017: DPRC progress meeting and review of candidates for graduation. No other meeting will be scheduled after this one.
Wednesday, 6 December 2017: Deadline for inputting final grades in SIS; Schools' Grades meeting
Monday, 11 December 2017: Academic Senate (Review of Students) meeting; Grades out (Please note that this is a revised schedule due to the declaration of 11 December as a regular working day).
Wednesday, 13 December 2017at 1:30 pm: Graduation Rehearsal in AITCC Auditorium.
Graduating students, Advisors of doctoral graduands, Marshals, and Deans to assemble in the AIT Conference Center Auditorium for the actual Graduation Rehearsal.
Thursday, 14 December 2017: Photo Session and 128th AIT Graduation Ceremony
8:00 am: Group Photographs: Graduating students and Faculty to assemble in the AIT Conference Center Auditorium in the following order:
1. SET
2. SERD
3. SOM
(Note: Picture taking will take around 2-3 minutes per field of study.)
10:00 am:128th AIT Graduation Ceremony
All faculty members are invited to attend the ceremony. Please fill up and send the graduation attendance form to Registry on or before Friday, 8 December 2017 so that we can make the necessary arrangements. If you wish to borrow an AIT gown (Rental 300.00), please inform Registry in advance. Your FoS Secretary can get your gown on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 from 9:00 - 11:00 am in Room 222 of the AIT Extension Building.
(v) AIT Fun and Sports Day to be held on 11 December 2017 (Survey)
Email from HRO: 9 Nov. 2017
Dear AIT Family,
The AIT Fun and Sports Day event will be moved to 11 December 2017 due to the urgent mission trip of the President abroad from December 7 to 10, 2017.
In this regards, we would like to survey who can join this event on 11th December in order to make necessary food preparations.
T-shirt and souvenirs will be distributed in advance, so this survey is only to know the exact number of food to order. (i.e. Chinese, Halal and Vegetarian).
Those who have earlier registered are requested to take the survey, please use your ait.asia email account. This online survey sent by HRO is open up to 24 November 2017 at 3.00 p.m. only.
Unit/Department Secretaries are requested to assist their colleagues who may not have computer access to register them by submitting their names and complete details to the Office of the Human Resources Services (hro@ait.asia ).
Only those who participated in the survey will be able to join our lunch and raffle draw.
(vi) AIT Fun and Sports Day 2017
Email from OHRS: 29 Sept. 2017
It's the time of the year once again that we hear drums and cheers as we gather together as one big family.
Yes! this is it, we are going to have an AIT Fun and Sports Day 2017. Aren't you excited?! Then let's come together on 11 December 2017 and let us shake the AIT grounds with our laughter, dances and spirit of sportsmanship!!
This year's team colors are: SERD- green; SET - Orange; SOM and Centers - Purple; Central Administration – Pink
Come to participate or just cheer your teammates in the games we have especially prepared for you and experience Unity in Diversity through sports!
Theme: Unity in Diversity
What: AIT Fun and Sports Day
When: 11 December 2017 starting at 8:00 a.m.
Who should attend: AIT employees
Where: Morning events will be held at the small football field behind the Administration Building. Lunch and raffle draw will be at the area beside the Administration Building.
Watch out for more announcements!
(vii) OTOP products on display during IFERT Forum
Email from Director, Office of Academic Administration: 12 Nov. 2017
In conjunction with the International Forum on Education for Rural Transformation event, we would like to inform that the Institute for Small & Medium Enterprises Development (ISMED) has set-up booths outside the AIT Conference Center (AITCC) from 13-14 November 2017.
Products such as Tiny Khon Mask, ornament from rice, scarves & hand woven shawls, decors, gifts, ornaments, Thai traditional sweets & snacks and many more OTOP products are on display. Therapists will be on hand to those who wants to try and experience Thai massage using Thai herbal balm & oils.
You will also find exhibit booths inside the AITCC lobby showcasing different schools and universities from China, more booths from SMEs, Disability Association of Thailand and Chaipattana Foundation.
You are all invited.
(viii) December 31, 2017 closing announcement
Email from Finance Department: 7 Nov. 2017
To ensure that AIT completely record the 2017 transactions in this year and not delay to 2018, please strictly follow the guidelines:
1) 2017 Payments cut off
● All “approved” 2017 Payment Requests/ Cash Payment Summary with attached supplier invoices/receipts (dated within 2017) should be received by Finance Office by 22nd December 2017.
● Please avoid any delay submission of the above documents since Finance has deadline to close the yearly account. Delay submission means your request for payment will not be able to charge to 2017 budget and neither to 2018.
2) Payroll
● Overtime cut off is 13th December.
● Actual overtime up to the cut-off date plus estimation of overtime for the remaining weeks up to 31st December 2017 must reach Finance Office by 13th of December 2017 for reserving in 2017 account.
● Failure to submit estimated overtime within the deadline means there will be no budget to pay the overtime.
3) Purchase Requisition (PR) and Purchase Orders (PO)
Before issuing Purchase Requisition and Purchase Order in December 2017, please check whether works/services can be delivered/completed within the year 2017 or not. If yes, Purchase Requisition must be approved before 13th December 2017 and all Purchase Orders must be approved before 19th December 2017.
Any work/service which cannot be completed within 2017, Purchase Requisition and Purchase Order must be issued in 2018 and will be charged to 2018 budget. External Auditor will not accept to record goods /services delivered in 2018 in the year 2017.
For materials/ services to be delivered in 2017, please request suppliers to submit their Suppliers’ invoices to Finance office by December 31 for recording in 2017 account.
Note: There is a frequent misunderstanding that by placing Purchasing Requisition (PR) or Purchase Order (PO) in 2017, it is sufficient to utilize the 2017 budget. This is not possible unless goods/services are delivered in 2017, not 2018.
4) Settlement of outstanding Promissory Note and RTA
Please settle your Promissory note and RTA within 22nd December 2017.
5) Invoicing Income
● Schools/Units are requested to submit all billing requests pertaining to work/services performed for third parties in 2017 (e.g. fees recoverable from donors, income due from project sponsors) to Finance Office by 22nd December 2017.
6) Internal Charges
● All Units which have authority to update Internal Charges through ERP must ensure that the charges of 2017 have been completely updated by 22nd December 2017. Units which do not have the authority must submit the Internal Charge Form to Finance Office by 22nd December 2017.
Other issue
7) Sponsored Projects under Fund 30
Schools/cost centers to ensure Form E has been completely issued for all closing projects within 2017. Please also provide the list of the completed projects (both Academic and non-Academic projects) to Finance office. Khun Vandee, Administrative Staff, will contact schools/units for the list.
For further enquiries please contact:
● Ms. Orawan Kosaipolkul, Senior Accounting Manager Ext # 6346
● Ms. Chirapar, Finance Manager Ext # 6342 (for Payment)
● Ms Pakkamol, Director, Procurement, Inventory and Assets Ext # 5029 (for Purchase Requisition and Purchase Order)
(ix) Regular working day on Monday, December 11, 2017
Email from OHRS: 30 Oct. 2017
As agreed by the AIT Management Team, the holiday on 11th December 2017 (substitute for Constitution Day) will be cancelled.
This is done to provide an optimal balance of numbers of holidays as AIT already has 2 unexpected additional holidays for this year.
(x) Staff English Development
Email from OHRS: 21 Sept. 2017
Please be informed that Staff English Development still exists. The Language Center is now available to provide such in-needed training, starting from Friday, 12 January 2018 from 09.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs on every Friday, continuously until completion of 20 sessions.
(xi) Free trial access to SAGE Premier for AIT from 25 September 2017 - 5 January 2018
Email from Library: 26 Sept. 2017
AIT Library has been offered a free trial access to SAGE Premier from 25th September 2017 - 5th January 2018. Please access this URL link: http://journals.sagepub.com/ . Full text download is allowed.
(i) LECTURES, / SEMINARS / CONFERENCES
(a) International Forum on Education for Rural Transformation: 13 – 15 Nov. 2017
AIT and the UNESCO International Research Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) is organizing the International Forum on Education for Rural Transformation (IFERT) during 13-15 November 2017, at the AIT Campus.
More information are available at www.ifert.ait.asia
(b) Career Talk by Action Aid International: 15 Nov. 2017
AIT Career Center will organize a Career Talk by Action Aid International, an international non-governmental organization whose primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide. Those who wish to work with communities to strengthen efforts to throw off poverty please come and meet organization representatives who will visit the campus to share information about what they do and their career opportunities.
Program:
Date : 15 November 2017 (Wednesday)
Time : 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue : Room 115, Ground Flr, AIT Conference Center
To pre-register, please fill up the link below :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7Zy3bCRsYRT3TAg_HP1Er0ttDyUTZO94jKj1HYtjl1D_42w/viewform
About Action Aid International : Action Aid International is an international organisation, working with over 15 million people in 45 countries for a world free from poverty and injustice.The head office is in Johannesburg. They are the only international development organisation with head office based in Africa. They also have offices right across Asia, the Americas and Europe.
To know more about Action Aid International, please visit:
http://www.actionaid.org/
(c) 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 AIT on 1-2 December 2017.
(ii) COURSES / TRAININGS
(a) Foundation English Program for intake January 2018: 28 Aug. – 17 Nov. 2017
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
(b) EL classes for the August 2017 semester: 28 Aug. – 16 Nov. 2017
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.
(i) New Service provider for AITCC dining from 1 November 2017
Email from OFAM: 31 Oct. 2017
Starting from t 1 November 2017, management of AITCC will be handled by two service providers, namely, VP Services will manage and operate AITCC Hotel and Conferences SN Services for AITCC Dining.
Please also be informed that AITCC dining was closed on 31st Oct 2017 from 15:00, to transfer the operations to new service provider.
(ii) New AITCC Annex & renovation of car park near Arcade
A new AITCC Annex building will be constructed opposite to AIT swimming Pool/AIT Solutions. The construction work will start from 1 October 2017 and expected to be completed by April 2018. To prepare the area for construction, the car park area opposite to swimming pool/AIT Solutions will be demolished partially and a new sewage line will be laid from Arcade area.
During the process of this work, the area will be barricaded and there might be some disturbance as well as noise.
Please be also informed that currently partial section of car park area opposite to Arcade is being renovated. It may take a week to complete the work and the area will be closed.
(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).
Susana Guerreiro / Bonn, Germany / 25 October – 18 November 2017
Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 27 – 29 October 2017*
Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 3 – 6 November 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 3 – 6 November 2017*
Alla Metelitsa, Bonn, Germany / 3 – 18 November 2017
Lyan Baybay Villacorta / Bonn, Germany / 3 – 18 November 2017
Dr. Faiz Shah / Paris, France; Ambsterdam, Netherlands; and London, U.K. / 4 – 17 November 2017
Mr. Syed Muntasir Husain Bokhari / Jakarta, Denpasar Bali, Surabaya, Indonesia / 4 – 20 November 2017
Dr. Shobhakar Dhakal / Paris, France / 5 – 9 November 2017*
Ms. Rowena alcoba / Paris, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and London, U.K. / 7 – 17 November 2017
Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul / Bengaluna / 6 – 9 November 2017*
Mr. Syams Nashrrullah / Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar / 7 – 9 November 2017*
Ms. Shelden Ayeisha Isabellah / Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia / 7 – 9 November 2017*
Dr. K. R. Salin / Surabaya and Malang, Indonesia / 7 – 11 November 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 8 – 9 November 2017*
Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe / Phnom Penh, Cambodia / 8 – 12 November 2017*
Dr. Manzul K. Hazarika / Busan, South Korea / 9 – 11 November 2017*
Prof. C. Visvanathan / Kunming, China / 10 – 16 November 2017
Mr. Thusitha Rathnayake / Kunming, China / 10 – 16 November 2017
Mrs. Adelaida B. Roman / Siem Reap, Cambodia / 11 – 15 November 2017
Ms. Charina May Lepiten / Siem Reap, Cambodia / 11 – 15 November 2017
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Singapore / 12 – 15 November 2017
Ms. Ashwin Ashok Mysore / Uttaradit, Thailand / 12 – 15 November 2017
Dr. Manzul K. Hazarika / Bangaluru, India / 13 – 18 November 2017
Mr. Surendra Shrestha / Kathmandu, Nepal / 13 – 19 November 2017
Mr. Surendra Shrestha / Kathmandu, Nepal / 13 – 19 November 2017
Dr. Pham Huy Gial / Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Vietnam / 16 – 21 November 2017
Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat / Chiba City, Japan / 17 – 21 November 2017
Dr. K. R. Salin / Cochin Kerala, India / 18 – 26 November 2017
Ms. Pallavi Das / Delhi, India / 19 – 24 November 2017
Mr. Surendra Shrestha / Delhi, India / 19 – 25 November 2017
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
Position: Technical Staff (Technician) (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No. 45/17
Deadline: 27 November 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/477
Position: Administrative Staff (IT Officer) (Internet Education and Research Laboratory (intERLab))
Ref. No. 44/17
Deadline: 30 November 2017
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/476