WEEK# 8, 24 February – 1 March 2020
In this issue:
i) Coronavirus and AIT Contingency Planning
E-mail from AIT President on 20 February 2020.
Dear AIT Family Member,
As you are well aware, the Coronavirus crisis, since its inception two months ago in China, has now spread across the world, including in Thailand and in many of the countries where our students and faculty and staff come from. All of us are saddened by the number of lives lost and the number of patients infected by this virus, especially in China. Unfortunately, the end is not in sight yet for this crisis.
Since the end of January, I have been working closely with an AIT Coronavirus Task Force headed by VPA Russell Rein. This Task Force has been meeting daily to monitor the situation, both in general and specifically on how it affects AIT. It has devised policies and measures and advice and has kept the AIT Community informed through an Intranet column and through several emails from the Task Force. It also worked hard to bring those students and staff who were still in China at the end of January and wanted to come back, back to AIT campus—imposing a 14-day quarantine on them. The last of these individuals will complete their quarantine this week. However, the work of the Task Force continues, and we are vigilant because the virus cases have still been increasing daily worldwide. But precautionary steps have been taken to ensure a safe and healthy environment on campus. This includes a close monitoring of the events being held on campus, cancelling some and requiring all to strictly follow some special measures and track the travel history of the attendees.
For your information, we have created a Lighting System for the status of the campus, where Green is “normal”, Yellow is “alert”, Orange is “affected”, and Red is “serious”. Our current status light is Yellow, but we must be ready if and when the status light changes to Orange or Red.
The good news is that no AIT member has yet caught the Coronavirus and fallen ill. However, we must be prepared for any contingency, in the event that a Coronavirus case does appear on campus. You will recall that the Task Force sent out an email a few days ago saying that, IF there is a case of Coronavirus on campus, the Institute will immediately shut down for two days, pending instruction by the Thailand Department of Disease Control (DDC). What follows below is our anticipation of what would happen if the DDC instruction to us creates a wider impact on the Institute for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, two sets of Special Operations Contingency Plans have been developed, one for Academics and one for General Operations—details of which are being finalized and will be provided as appropriate. We stress that these are contingencies IF needed, and some highlights of our thinking are:
For Academics, we may have to restrict or cancel face-to-face mode of teaching (including lectures, exams, laboratory work), and replace it with mixed mode or completely interactive online teaching, supported by flexible arrangements for completing course requirements. Necessary training will be provided to relevant faculty, staff, and students to implement contingency measures.
For General Operations, the extent of impact on our operations depends on DDC instructions. For example, it is possible that on Day 3 we return to "reduced" operations, with some minor restrictions on movements around the campus and/or a specific quarantined area. But if there is wider impact, the entire campus may be placed under quarantine and movements restricted inside and outside the campus, with everyone having to work from home. Essential campus services will continue to be provided, with some having to be scaled back as circumstances dictate. Unit Heads are identifying the necessary resources and assistance required for their staff to be able to implement these contingency measures.
Remember that these are contingencies only, and we hope they will not need to be implemented. At this difficult time, all of us should be vigilant and cooperative, in order that AIT gets through this crisis successfully. We are trying not to interrupt our normal education operations as much as possible, but these are not normal times. Thank you for your patience and for helping to keep our home safe! More instructions will be coming as the crisis evolves day to day. I certainly hope that, in the not-too-distant-future, AIT will pass this grave test and no one at AIT is affected!! Let us hope that day will come soon ….
Dr. Eden Woon
President
ii) Tractebel Career Talk, 26 February 2020
AIT Career Center is pleased to announce another Career talk by Tractebel Engineering, one of the world's largest engineering consultancy on 26 February 2020 (Wed) from 4:00 – 5.00 pm. at Milton E. Bender Auditorium. The speakers are Khun Chanmeka Arpamart, Head of Business line Urban (AIT Alumni) and Khun Meeprom Mongkol, Sales Manager (AIT Alumni). Please find the details below and pre-register to reserve your seats.
Preferred Academic Program:
• Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management
• Geotechnical & Earth Resources Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Engineering and Management
• Energy
• Energy Business Management
Job opportunities: (Please see attached details)
• Project engineer - Renewable energy
• Project engineer - Thermal
• Junior Urban Planer
• Water Resources Engineer
To know more about Tractebel Engineering, please visit:https://tractebel-engie.be/en
Lastly, it would be appreciated if you can please come in polite/smart casual attire to the Career Talk.
iii) A Special Seminar on "Biogas Generation from Biomass" by Prof. Dr. Turgut T. Onay, Bogazici University, Turkey.
A special seminar on "Biogas Generation from Biomass" by Prof. Dr. Turgut T. Onay, Bogazici University, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Turkey, will be held as follows:
Date: Thursday, 27 February 2020
Time: 11.00 - 12.00 hrs.
Venue: E222, Academic Building
iv) A Talk on "Unleashing The Vajra: Nepal's Journey Between India and China" - Mr. Sujeev Shakya and Mr. Renaud Meyer.
A Talk on "Unleashing The Vajra: Nepal's Journey Between India and China" - Mr. Sujeev Shakya, Thought Leader, Thoughtpreneur and Mr. Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative to Thailand on 2 March 2020 from 4.30 – 5.30 pm. At Amphitheater, School of Management.
v. Blood Donation Announcement
E-mail from Medical Center on 17 February 2020.
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.
We again would like to ask for your help. The next visit for blood donation is scheduled on Tuesday, 3rd March 2020, 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.
For further information, please contact; The Thai Red Cross Society
Tel. 0-2263-9600-99, 0-2256-4300,0-2256-4306
Email: blood@redcross.or.th
Website: www.blooddonationthai.com
vi) Extended Library Hours to 1.00 AM (21 February - 5 March 2020)
AIT Library is pleased to inform you that from 21 February - 5 March
2020, the library hours will be extended to 1 a.m. for mid-semester
examination period.
Library users who would like to borrow the past examination papers or
reserved course materials, please contact Library staff at the
circulation desk.
Thank you very much for your attention.
AIT Library
http://library.ait.ac.th
vii) Social Security list of hospitals for 2020
E-mail sent from Office of the Human Resources Services on 22 January 2020.
Dear AIT Employees,
Members of the Social Security Insurance can now apply to change their current hospital registered under the Social Security system. Those who wish to change their hospital, please contact OHRS until 15 March 2020.
To avail of the Social Security medical benefits, the insured person must go to the hospital at which he/she is registered. For foreign staff, please present to the hospital staff/receptionist your passport and your social security card. For Thai employees, please present your Thai identification card.
Please find attached the list of medical health check-ups and the list of benefits provided by the Social Security Insurance and the updated list of hospitals.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Khun Jirada at phone number 5018 or email: jirada@ait.asia.
Please be guided accordingly.
Thank you.
a) Vacant Space at AIT Cafeteria Available for Lease
E-mail from OPIA on 12 February 2020.
Vacant Space at AIT Cafeteria Available for Lease
Please be informed that the space located at the AIT Cafeteria is now available for lease.
Interested parties are invited to submit your proposals by hand or email to the Office of Procurement, Inventory and Assets not later than 16.30 Hrs. on Friday, 28 February 2020.
Contact person:
Ø For Space information & requirements: Ms. Elizabeth: Tel. 02-524-6323, bethc@ait.ac.th
Ø For Bid information and submission: Mr. Vasvan: Tel. 02-524-5027, vasvan@ait.ac.th
(i)TRAININGS / COURSES
a) Training Program on "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence"
Program: "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence"
Duration: 25 - 27 March 2020
Venue: Asian Institute of Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more than just another buzzword, it is a fast-growing technology that is changing industries and job functions around the world. It is gradually introducing itself to all aspects of daily life and has a very broad range of applications across a multitude of industries. The need and use of artificial intelligence are becoming a required skill set in many fields.
For more information please visit at extension.ait.ac.th/course/1003
b) Professional Development training program on “Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare: Innovations, Challenges Emerging and Opportunities”
This one-week professional development training program on “Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare: Innovations, Challenges Emerging and Opportunities” is designed to help healthcare professionals learn about myriad AI technologies for healthcare, explore possible applications, and understand the issues these applications might cause, for example, whether AI is dehumanizing healthcare and how AI might improve today’s healthcare systems.
Professional Development Course on "Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare: Innovations, Challenges and Emerging Opportunities"
Duration: 6-10 April 2020
Venue: AIT Conference Center
For more information about the training, you can download the attached brochure or visit at https://www.extension.ait.ac.th/course/1012
c) Professional Development Course on "Strategic Human Resource Management and Business Leadership"
Professional Development Course on "Strategic Human Resource Management and Business Leadership"
Duration: 18 - 22 May 2020
Venue: AIT Conference Center
For more information about the training, you can download the attached brochure and course outline or visit us at www.extension.ait.ac.th/course/897
Prof. Kanchana Kanchanasut/ Australia/ 11 – 28 February 2020.
Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul/ UK/ 29 February – 7 March 2020
Dr. Indrajit Pal/ Kolkata/ 28 Feb – 6 March 2020.
Mr. Aphinya Chairat/ Denver, USA/ 28 Feb – 7 March 2020
Dr. Jal G Singh/ India/ 27 February – 1 March 2020.
Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul/ Cambodia/ 9 – 11 March 2020.
Dr. Sundar Venkatesh/ Srilanka/ 23 February – 1 March 2020
Mr. Parmeshwar Digamber Udmale/ Kolkata/ 1 – 6 March 2020.
Mr. Furqan Ali/ Pakistan/ 17 – 25 February 2020.
Dr. Pisut Koomsap/ Spain-Portugal/ 28 February – 11 March 2020.
Dr. Sylvia Szabo/ Seoul, Korea/ 25 – 29 May 2020.
Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe/ Dhaka Bangladesh/ 27 – 29 February 2020
Prof. Kyoko Kusakabe/ Phnom Penh, Cambodia/ 1 – 5 March 2020
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication
Position: Director, Office of Student Affairs
Ref. No. 9/20
Deadline: 28 February 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/646
Position: Faculty Positions (School of Management)
Ref. No. 12/20
Deadline: 31 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/650
Position: Manager/Coordinator/Administrator Executive MBA (School of Management)
Ref. No. 13/20
Deadline: 6 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/6521
Position: Program Coordinator/Administrator MSc Programs (School of Management)
Ref. No. 14/20
Deadline: 6 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/652
Position: Teacher, AIT International School
Ref. No. 10/20
Deadline: 10 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/636
Position: Assistant/Associate Professor (School of Environment Resources and Development)
Faculty position in Environmental Technology and Management
Ref. No. 1/20
Deadline: 31 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/638
Position: Assistant Professor (School of Engineering and Technology)
Faculty Position in Water Engineering and Management
Ref. No. 2/20
Deadline: 15 March 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/643
Position: Administrative Officer (Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific)
Ref. No. 1/20
Deadline: 29 February 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/645
Position: Library Assistant (AIT Library)
Ref. No. 5/20
Deadline: 28 February 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/640
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: IT Officer, HelpDesk
Ref. No. 07/20
Deadline: 29 February 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/647
Position: Administrative Staff, intERLab
Ref. No. 08/20
Deadline: 29 February 2020
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/648