WEEK 10, 3 - 9 March 2025
In this issue:
C. Visitors/ MoU/ Agreement Signing
1) Appointment of Professor Manukid Parnichkun as Vice President for Academic and Research (VPAR)
Email by AIT President on 28 February 2025.
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
I am pleased to announce that the AIT Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, as the Vice President for Academic and Research (VPAR), effective 1 March 2025.
Prof. Manukid is currently a Professor and Academic Program Chair of the Mechatronics and Machine Intelligence Program at the School of Engineering and Technology (SET). He has in the past served as Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, and currently is serving as Chairperson of the AIT Academic Senate. Prof. Manukid holds a B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Chulalongkorn University (1991) and an M.Eng. and Ph.D. in Precision Machinery Engineering from the University of Tokyo (1993 and 1996, respectively). Since joining AIT as an Assistant Professor in 1996, he has been promoted to Associate Professor (2001) and Professor (2016). Over his tenure, he has supervised and graduated 24 doctoral students and 210 master's students. A founding member of the Thai Robotics Society (TRS), he later served as Editor-in-Chief of its journal and as President (2003–2005). He has organized and chaired several international conferences, including IEEE ICIT 2002 and IEEE ROBIO 2008, and led various robot competitions such as the Thailand Intelligent Vehicle Challenge (2007–2009) and the ABU Robocon Thailand Championship (since 2002). His research interests include Mechatronics, Robotics, Control, and Measurement. A detailed CV of Prof. Manukid is enclosed herewith.
This decision follows a comprehensive selection process, including an Online Public Presentation by the two shortlisted candidates, where they shared their vision, insights on Blueprint implementation, and perspectives on key academic and research issues with faculty and staff. After reviewing the inputs received and the recommendation of the Selection Committee, approval for the appointment of the VPAR was sought through the postal ballot from the Board of Trustees, as agreed in the 6 February 2025 Board meeting.
I look forward to working with Prof. Manukid in his new role and trust that we will all support him in advancing AIT’s academic and research mission. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Prof. Nitin K Tripathi for his leadership and dedication as Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs during this transition.
2) Cabinet Approval of AIT-Royal Thai Government (RTG) 12th Plan & AIT Blueprint
Email was sent to the faculty & Staff on behalf of Dr. Suwit Khunkitti, Vice Chairman of the Board, and Chairman, of the AIT Strategy Implementation Task Force on 26 February 2025
3) Invitation for a Special Lecture on "Microbiology & Biotechnology for Plastic Degradation" by Dr. Annika Vaksmaa on Mon, 3 Mar 2025 at 15:00 hrs. Room E222
You are cordially invited to attend a special lecture on "Microbiology & Biotechnology for Plastic Degradation" by Dr. Annika Vaksmaa, a VENI Research Fellow at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) as follows.
Date: Monday, 3 March 2025
Time: 15:00 - 16:30 hrs. (BKK Time)
Venue: Classroom E222, Academic Building, AIT
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ait-ac-th.zoom.us/j/5215527772?pwd=NzEzVzdvaWlESGRYMEVxVUlhT1RxUT09
Meeting ID: 521 552 7772
Passcode: 694454
Speaker's short bio:
Dr. Annika Vaksmaa is a VENI research fellow at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). She earned her PhD in 2018 from Radboud University, where she investigated climate change and methane emission mitigation in paddy fields.
Since 2022, her research has focused on marine plastic pollution and the role of marine fungi in degrading plastic polymers. Despite being understudied in marine ecosystems, fungi possess powerful enzymatic machinery that makes them promising candidates for breaking down complex hydrocarbons.
Dr. Vaksmaa’s work spans from environmental sampling, with a recent focus on mangrove ecosystems threatened by human activities, to laboratory assays using isotopically labeled polymers. She also explores microbial diversity on plastics in nature using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to better understand microbial interactions with plastic waste.
For more information: https://www.shespeaksscience.com/author/annika-vaksmaa/
4) Call for Open Letters for IWD at AIT
Email from SU_Gender_Culture AIT from 2 March 2025
Dearest Gentle People of AIT,
We love writing and reading heartfelt letters! Transform your thoughts, experiences, and feelings into words.
We are delighted to announce that the Student Union (SU) in collaboration with the Gender & Development Studies (GDS), Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC), SERD, and Gender Equality Movers Society (GEMS) is celebrating the International Women's Day (IWD) on 12th March 2025 in AIT.
One of our activities is Letter Writing. It is also now the time for you to share the story of an empowered woman that you know. Share with us your beautiful and heartfelt letter to an empowered woman of your choice.
Three letters will be selected to be read at the event and the authors will win attractive prizes! We will also regularly share other letters to the AIT and public this month.
Submit your letter now using this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1j5V2knCB4cEfgzmoPRldvosDtLOzgzrvkKVHwK7...
5) Launching of the Accommodation Digital Lease Agreement
Email from Director, OFAM on 27 February 2025
Dear Residents,
In line with the “Smart Administration” and “Sustainability”, we would like to inform the residents that starting on 3 March 2025 the accommodation lease agreements to students, faculty, and staff will now be done online. The digital lease agreement will be issued to new tenants and lease agreements for renewal accordingly.
The procedures for the digital lease agreements are as follows:
1. The Accommodation Office will send the digital lease agreement to the tenants.
2. The tenant should review the details of the digital lease agreement.
3. The tenant should review the details of the furniture checklist and edit if needed.
4. The tenant should review the details of the dependents and edit them if needed.
5. The tenant needs to insert a valid ID card.
6. Sign the digital lease agreement using a digital signature.
7. Return the digital lease agreement to the Accommodation Office.
8. The Institute's designated signatories will affix their eSignature.
9. The Accommodation Office will send the final lease agreement to the tenant.
More information about the Digital Lease Agreement will be given by the Accommodation Office later.
Thank you for your kind cooperation and support.
“Save paper, save trees.”
Accommodation Office
6) [Staff] New and Reassigned Staff at OFIN
Email from Finance Department on 24 February 2025
Please be informed that OFIN has the following new and reassigned staff.
1. Ms. Kanokporn Pengmala – She replaced Khun Panthila in the Accounts Payable (AP) Section in OFIN. Her email is kanokpornp@ait.ac.th and her office number is #6335.
2. Mr. Kittipong Wannasiri – He is a new staff and replaced Ms. Kanokporn as Payroll Officer and assists in the Accounts Receivable (AR). His email is kittipong@ait.ac.th and his office number is #5055.
7) AIT Career Fair & Student Research Exhibition: 26 March 2025
Warm greetings from the AIT Career Center!
We are pleased to inform you that the annual AIT Career Fair & Student Research Exhibition, now to be held every January Semester, is scheduled on 26 March 2025 (Wednesday) from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the AIT Conference Center.
You are cordially invited to explore and uncover career opportunities offered by the companies that are joining the event, with five (5) organizations who have confirmed to join so far, namely:
What to expect:
¤ Long-term career prospects
¤ Job placements
¤ Internship opportunities
¤ Research partners
¤ Networking with company representatives
¤ Food market
¤ Free goodies, Raffle Prizes
¤ Career Talks leading to the Fair
¤ and the Student Union Research Exhibition!
Kindly help us spread the word about the Fair, and let us know if you have any company contacts you would like us to invite. Additionally, please note that the annual August 2025 Semester AIT Career Forum, following the updated format introduced in August 2024 Semester, is scheduled to take place on 29 October 2025.
Mark your calendar! For developments and career opportunities, please visit: www.careercenter.ait.ac.th or like/follow: FB: www.facebook.com/officialaitcareercenter/ IG: @aitcareercenter or email: careercenter@ait.ac.th or contact us via phone: 662 524-6326. We will keep you posted with all the updates.
Thank you for your continued support!
8) Introducing our New Employees in January 2025
We are glad to welcome the newest members of the AIT family! Let's all wish them a successful journey with us. Welcome aboard!

1) First UNCCRD Delta Summit 2025
About the Summit
The First UNCCRD Delta Summit 2025 is unique in that it will deliver a White Paper to the United Nations to make operational a UN Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD), unveiled and approved at COP28. UNCCRD is being developed by the multi-organisation DeltasUNite consortium led by the African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD). DeltasUNite fosters collaboration between governments, academia, the UN, multilateral Development Banks, international, national, and local-level organizations, public and private sector, and delta communities towards solutions to the rising threats to ocean-facing river deltas.
Why the UNCCRD matters!
Deltas support over half a billion people globally, but face accelerating risks from climate change, rising sea-levels, natural hazards, environmental degradation, pollution, and unsustainable development. These impact delta human and ecosystem health, and threaten biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. It is imperative to focus global discourse on multi-sectoral collaboration and inclusive governance, policy development, and targeted interventions to help preserve and protect these critical low-lying coastal regions. UNCCRD will be built from the base up through community involvement on an equitable partnership basis.
Objectives
Raise awareness of delta-related issues globally.
Equitable dialogue between all stakeholders – including community representatives, youth, academia, government and non-governmental organisations.
Coordinate stakeholders’ input to the emerging UNCCRD through a co-created draft White Paper for delivery to the UN later in 2025.
Date :17-20 March, 2025 (including a 1 day sightseeing and community visit to the Chao Phraya Delta, Thailand)
Venue: AIT Conference Center, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
Program
Day 1: Delta Landscapes
Day 2: Delta Livelihoods
Day 3: Delta Threats & Solutions
Day 4: Sightseeing and Community Visit (Optional)
For further details of the event and to register, visit the website: https://internationaldeltasummit.ait.ac.th/
The MoU Signing Ceremony between AIT and two (2) universities in Philippines: Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and Central Mindanao University (CMU) on Monday 3 March 2025.
- Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President /Taiwan/ 4 - 7 March 2025
- Chotiros Mongkolchotirat, Director, Office of the President/ Taiwan/ 3 - 5 March 2025
- Prof.Mukand S.Babel, Faculty-SET/ India/ 25 February - 4 March 2025
- Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Faculty-SERD /UK/ 26 February- 2 March 2025
- Prof. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Faculty-SERD /France/ 11-17 April 2025
- Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executvie Director, OAAA/ Srilanka/ 5-19 April 2025
- Dr Avirut Puttiwongrak, Faculty-SET/ Japan, 27 February - 5 March 2025
- Dr. Kuo Chieh Chao, Faculty-SET /Japan/ 23 February -3 March 2025
- Ms.Nussarin Sudrohman, SET /Japan/ 23 February -3 March 2025
- Dr. Jirawadee Polprasert, Faculty-SERD/ Laos/ 4 - 6 March 2025
- Prof.Kanchana Kanchanasut, intERLab/ Japan/ 2 - 10 March 2025
- Dr. Adisorn Lertsinsrubtavee, Director, intERLab / Japan/ 2 - 10 March 2025
E. Classifieds (jobs)
Ref.no | Position | Type | Posted date |
---|---|---|---|
41/24 | Structural Engineer, AITS | Staff | March 3, 2025 |
12/25 | Field Research Coordinator, AARM | Staff | February 25, 2025 |
11/25 | Program Coordinator, AARM | Staff | February 25, 2025 |
3/25 | Laboratory Supervisor, SET-ISE | Staff | February 24, 2025 |
2/25 | Project Development Officer, SCPU | Staff | February 24, 2025 |
6/25 | Library Teacher, AITIS | Staff | February 24, 2025 |
10/25 | Research Associate-Capacity Development (Citywide Inclusive Sanitation), GWSC | Staff | February 24, 2025 |
9/25 | Motorpool Driver, OFAM | Staff | February 21, 2025 |
7/25 | Mail Officer, OFAM | Staff | February 21, 2025 |
8/25 | Facilities Manager, OFAM | Staff | February 21, 2025 |
4/25 | Thai Teacher, AITIS | Staff | February 20, 2025 |
5/25 | Homeroom Teacher, AITIS | Staff | February 20, 2025 |