WEEK #49: 4 – 10 December 2017 | AIT Campus Bulletin

WEEK #49: 4 – 10 December 2017

In this issue:

A. Announcements

B. Events

B. Visitors

C. Campus Updates

D. Faculty and Staff Travel

E. Classifieds (Jobs)

A. Announcements

(i)AIT President’s Message of Condolence: Passing of Dr. Surin Pitsuwan Email from President: 1 Dec. 2017

On behalf of the Asian Institute of Technology, I wish to express my deep condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, following his shocking passing in Bangkok, Thailand on November 30, 2017.

As a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Kingdom of Thailand and Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin was a greatly admired diplomat and international statesman. Indeed, his influence certainly extended to the AIT campus at various times during his stellar career in academe, media, national politics and international affairs.

Dr. Surin’s powerful intellect, effortless communication skills, and charming, easy personality endeared himself to many people in Thailand and around the Asia-Pacific region. His contributions to public life are widely recognized and his presence in the public arena will be greatly missed.

May Khun Surin Pitsuwan forever Rest in Peace.

Yours Sincerely,

Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
President

(ii)HORASIS ASIA - INSPIRING OUR FUTURE

Message from President: 29 Nov. 2017

26-27 November 2017

The annual Horasis Asia Meeting is one of Asia's foremost gatherings of the region's most senior leaders from business and public sectors.

This year the meeting in Kolkata had attracted over 400 visionary leaders, all by invitation only. During the 2 days, participants choose to attend different Dialog Sessions to discuss “hot issues of the world” today. Topics includes - Unity in Diversity, Asian Values, Family Businesses, Global Expansion, Smart Cities, Start-ups, Digital Economy, Climate Change, Capital Markets, Venture Capital, and Artificial Intelligence.

I had the honor to serve as the Chair of one Dialog Session on “Asian Smart Cities”. The following summary reflected the gist of the dialog in my Session:

Smart Solution for Smart Cities

(1) There is no doubt that the wise use of ICT can lead to a more efficient use of resources, energy savings, and a higher quality of life in the cities. However, one must put ‘Inclusiveness’ and ‘Sustainability’ into ‘smart’.

(2) In Asian cities, 600 million people still do not have 24-hour access to electricity and sanitation. In those cases, the word ‘smart’ does not mean much if it only increases the divide between the have and have-not.

(3) A successful smart city isn’t one merely equipped with the latest and flashiest technology, investments in technology have to pay off for the city and its citizens at large. Thus, sustainability and Inclusiveness should guide the development of all smart city projects.

(iii)AIT Newsletter: December 2017

Email from OMCO: 30 Nov. 2017

The December 2017 edition of the monthly AIT Newsletter brings you the story of the royal audience granted to AIT. We also write about the visit of Sri Lankan Minister and Pakistan Ambassador, besides sharing the story of agreements with Siam University and the Balochistan Development Network.The newsletter sums up seminars and alumni achievements, and brings three photo features from the Career Day, Food Fair, and international women's cricket.

Previous newsletters (PDF, EPUB and MOBI editions) are now archived in the new website at this link: https://www.ait.ac.th/newsletter/

(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:

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 2017 at 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) St(v) Acting Dean SET

Email from Dean SET’s Office: 29 Nov. 2017

Please be informed that Prof. Voratas Kachitvichyanukul, Dean SET is now in Indonesia from 3-8 December 2017. Dr. Matthew N. Dailey has kindly agreed to serve as the Acting Dean as follows:

1-8 December 2017: Dr. Matthew N. Dailey, Department Head, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

(vi)AIT Fun and Sports Day 2017

Email from AIT Solutions: 22 Nov. 2017

Dear AIT Family,

Unity and Diversity, this is our unique identity. So let us all gather on 11 December 2017 at the small football field behind the Administration Building for this wonderful day. Let us show the world, that we can be united in diversity!

Please take note of the following important dates:

7-8 December - T-shirt and cap distribution. Please collect it from your Team Representatives at the following stations:

Orange Team (SET) - collect your t-shirt at the Dean’s Office c/o Ms. Suwannee and Ms. Tuk

Green Team (SERD) collect your t-shirt at the Dean’s Office c/o Mr. Dorji and Ms. Prakaydao

Purple Team (SOM & ACISAI, AIT Solutions, AIT Extension, RRCAP, GIC, intERLab, Helpdesk, Habitech Center, SDP) collect your t-shirt from your respective unit representatives: c/o K. Chomchaba and Argie (main contacts)

RRC.AP – Ms. Charina

AIT Extension – Ms. Marilyn

AIT Solution – Ms. Jiraporn or Ms. Clarisa

For other centers not mentioned above, please contact Ms. Chomchaba, at Tel no. 6183, SOM Building Pink Team (Admin): Maybel (OHRS)

Games:

Each Team should assign a Team Captain. Players can/may participate in one or all games, the Team captain will be in charge of getting the team players ready for each game.

1. Tug-of-war - 30 players per team (15 female and 15 male)

2. Boiled Egg Relay: 15 players per team (mixed female and male)

3. Three-legged race: 16 players per team (mixed female and male)

Lucky draw

Lucky draw and awarding of prizes will be given during lunch. Winners should be present during the awarding of prizes, otherwise, he/she forfeits the prize.

Trivia Questions:

Get a prize by simply answering our trivia questions. Check out AIT history and current events on our website to help you with the answers to our trivia questions.

So come one come all, let us all join hands and cheer one another, for on this day fun and surprises will be on your way! Watch out for more announcements!!

(vii)Long Services Award

Email from OHRS: 1 Dec. 2017

The following 22 staff members of AIT are entitled to receive Long Services Award during AIT Fun and Sports Day 2017 which will be held on Monday, 11 December 2017.

Pairuch Arnprayoon (39 years)
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (39 years)
Chirapar Promprawongse (38 years)
Pichai Chantrapunth (37 years)
Ruangsilp Sriviset (37 years)
Niramol Ponvilai (37 years)
Somnuk Yimkeo (37 years)
Ekkankun Krong-atek (35 years)
Sumalee Preede (35 years)
Karn Intoop (35 years)
Orawan Kosaipolkul (34 years)
Winya Panichkul (33 years)
Suchitra Piempinsest (33 years)
Nualchan Sangthongsttit (33 years)
Vanchai Plangpanya (32 years)
Sawan Suwannarith (32 years)
Suda Inta (32 years)
Yupa Katchasuwanmanee (32 years)
Wilaiporn Cherngchawano (31 years)
Dr. Noppadol Phien-Wej (30 years)
Natnipha Vimuktanon (30 years)
Kamron Pimsak (30 years)

(viii)AIT Official Holiday 2018

Email from Office of Human Resources Services: 23 Nov. 2017

AIT Management Team has approved AIT Official Holiday 2018 as follows:

January
1 Mon New Year's Day

March
1 Thu Makha Bucha Day

April
6 Fri Chakri Memorial Day
13 Fri Songkran Festival
16 Mon Substitute for Songkran Festival

May
1 Tue National Labor Day
29 Tue Visakha Bucha Day

July
27 Fri Asalaha Bucha Day
30 Mon Substitute for H.M. the King's Birthday

August
13 Mon Substitute for H.M. the King's Mother Birthday

October
15 Mon Substitute for H.M. late King Bhumibol Memorial Day
23 Tue Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

December
5 Wed Birthday Anniversary of H. M. late King's Bhumibol
25 Tue Year-End Break
26 Wed Year-End Break
27 Thu Year-End Break
28 Fri Year-End Break
29 Sat Year-End Break
30 Sun Year-End Break
31 Mon Year-End Break

(ix) Student contest: The Trail by VINCI Construction

Email from AIT Solutions: 22 Nov. 2017

We are delighted to announce the launch of a student contest The Trail by VINCI Construction “Imagine tomorrow's construction industry.”

Innovate in one of these three fields:

The construction site of the future
Sustainable construction and resilience
Cities above and under cities

This competition has 2 phases:

Part 1: an online challenge on Agorize platform to attract students and where they can submit their innovative projects “Imagine the construction industry of tomorrow”

Part 2: an outdoors sports challenge to take place in Annecy, France

Timeline:

Online Challenge (Ideation): 20 Nov 2017 - 18 Mar 2018

Voting: 20 Mar 2018 - 03 Apr 2018

Local awards: 04 Apr 2018 - 04 May 2018

The local ceremony for Asia will be organized in Singapore and will gather the 3 best Asian teams.

Please check out the website for more information:

https://www.agorize.com/en/challenges/thetrail

If you are interested to join, let Innovation Lab [ilab] help you. You can send us your presentation before you submit online and our experts can give you feedback. Kindly send to ilab.solutions@ait.asia

(x) AITIS Pre-registration for January 2018 Semester

Email from Director, Office of Academic Administration: 14 Nov. 2017

Dear Prospective AITIS Parents,

On behalf of AIT International School I welcome you and wish to inform you of the following:

Pre- Registration for Elementary and Pre-Kindergarten sections began from 15 November 2017.

If you wish to register your child for the 2017-2018 school year, please contact Khun Jeeny (jeeranan@ait.asia) at AITIS office phone : 02-524-5984 or 096-228-9358.

Please pick up the application form and return it to school by 4 December 2017.

We will have the readiness test on 6 – 7 of December at 8.30am.

AIT International School Office hours: 07:30am to 12:00am, 01:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Please inform your family and friends about this.

(xi) 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./li>

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)

B. Events

(i) EVENTS

(a) Blood Donation Camp: 6 Dec. 2017

The Thai Red Cross Society has been working with volunteer students and staff to collect units of blood from the Asian Institute of Technology (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.

We again would like to ask for your help. The next visit for blood donation is scheduled on Wednesday, 6th December 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.

On behalf of needy patients whose lives you may save, we would like to thank you very much for your time and support.

(ii) LECTURES, / SEMINARS / CONFERENCES

(a) A Special Lecture on “Research Interfacing Energy and Environment: Linking Fundamentals to Applications”: 6 Dec. 2017

School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) will organize a special lecture on “Research Interfacing Energy and Environment: Linking Fundamentals to Applications” by Dr. Samir Kumar Khanal, Associate Professor, Bioengineering Bioenergy and Environment Research Group, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, Collaborating Professor, Iowa State University, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

The lecture will be held on:

Date: Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Time: 10:30-11:30 hrs.

Place: S-101 (SERD’s Meeting Room)

(b) A special lecture on "Development of Panel Heater-Triangular Solar Still to produce pure water from saline water": 7 Dec. 2017

School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) will organize a special lecture on "Development of Panel Heater-Triangular Solar Still to produce pure water from saline water", by Dr. Amimul Ahsan, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Uttara University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The lecture will be held on:

Date: Thursday, 7 December 2017

Time: 13:00-14:00 hrs.

Place: S-101 (SERD’s Meeting Room)

(iii) COURSES / TRAININGS

(a) Call for Applications for the Training Programme on the Economics of Climate Change Adaptation: 11 Dec. 2017 (application deadline)

After a successful run of the first training programme on the Economics of Climate Change Adaptation (ECCA) on 21 August to 1 September 2017, the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at AIT, in cooperation with UNDP, have now opened the call for applications to participate in the second run of this training programme.

The course will take place between 12-23 March 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand (exact location to be confirmed). Call for applications will remain open until 11 December 2017. To apply, follow the procedure indicated on the ECCA website at: https://www.ecca.rrcap.ait.asia/copy-of-march-2018-training. Applications may only be submitted through this site.

C. Visitors

Delegation from University of Defense, Indonesia, led by Colonel Wibisono Poespitohadi, Head of Institute for Research and Community Service / 6 Dec. 2017 / to develop collaboration and strengthen academic cooperation in International Studies and to gain knowledge on Disaster Management

D. Campus Updates

(i) 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.

(ii) 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).

E. Faculty and Staff Travel

Ms. Subina Shrestha / Kathmandu, Nepal / 12 – 20 November 2017*
Prof. Lawrence Stephen Abeln / Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Jakarta, Indonesia / 12 – 22 November 2017*
Dr. Shah Syed Faizul Hassan / Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Kabul, Afghanistan / 22 – 30 November 2017*
Mr. Cullum MacKenzie / Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Kabul, Afghanistan / 22 – 30 November 2017*
Mr. Andreas Rodrigo Parraguirre Alvarado / Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Kabul, Afghanistan / 22 – 30 November 2017*

Ms. Parischad Nuntavong / Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Kabul, Aghanistan / 22 – 30 November 2017*

Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 23 – 27 November 2017*
Dr. Djoen San Santoso / Myanmar / 23 – 27 November 2017*
Mr. Nawarathnage L. Deshapriya / Honiara, Solomon Islands / 23 November – 9 December 2017
Dr. Abha Mishra / Johannesburg, Cape Town, South Africa / 25 November – 9 December 2017
Dr. Avishek Datta / Dili, Timor Leste / 26 November – 2 December 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Myanmar / 27 November 2017*
Mrs. Wannapa Pliansri / Da Nang, Vietnam / 27 November – 1 December 2017*
Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusomo / Vietnam / 27 November – 3 December 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 28 November 2017*
Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe / Yangon, Myanmar / 28 November – 3 December 2017*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 30 November – 3 December 2017*
Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto / Hanoi, Vietnam / 30 November – 2 December 2017*
Dr. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen / Vietnam / 30 November – 6 December 2017
Dr. G. Louis Hornyak / Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand / 2 – 4 December 2017
Ms. Aphisorn Suwannasuk / Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand / 2 – 4 December 2017
Ms. Narumon Wangnai / Luang Prabang, Lao PDR / 2 – 6 December 2017
Ms. Nalinee Kongkred / Luang Prabang, Lao PDR / 2 – 6 December 2017
Ms. Chatchata Prasongsuk / Luang Prabang, Lao PDR / 2 – 6 December 2017
Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe / Kampot, Cambodia / 3 – 6 December 2017
Dr. Pisut Koomsap / Singapore / 3 – 6 December 2017
Prof. Voratas kachitvichyanukul / Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia / 3 – 7 December 2017
Dr. Nophea Sasaki / Lombok, Indonesia / 3 – 9 December 2017
Prof. Manukid Parnichkun / Tokyo, Japan / 4 – 13 December 2017
Mr. Sanjeev Pradeep Jayasinghe / Colombo, Sir Lanka / 5 – 12 December 2017
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 6 – 9 December 2017
Ms. Farah Nashid Hossain / Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / 6 – 11 December 2017
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai / Kunming, China / 7 – 10 December 2017
Dr. Sundar Venkatesh / Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / 7 – 10 December 2017
Ms. Kluaymai thongkham / Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / 7 – 11 December 2017