WEEK #35, 31 August – 6 September 2015
In this issue:
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Management Team – Updates (August 20)
Confirmed AIT Management Notes: 20 August 2015
The confirmed notes of the 20 August 2015 meeting of the AIT Management are now Intranet-published at – http://www.ait.ac.th/management/aitmt-notes
AIT Official Holidays for 2016
The AIT Management agreed to designate the following official public holidays and year-end break for 2016 as:
Friday, 1 January, New Year’s Day; Monday, 22 February, Makha Bucha; Wednesday, 6 April, Chakri Day; Wednesday, 3 April, Songkran Festival; Thursday, 14 April, Songkran Festival; Friday, 15 April, Songkran Festival; Monday, 2 May, Substitution for Labour Day (Sunday, 1 May); Friday, 20 May, Visakha Bucha Day; Tuesday, 19 July, Asalaha Bucha Day; Wednesday, 20 July, Buddhist Lent Day; Friday, 12 August, H.M. the Queen’s Birthday; Monday, 24 October, Substitution for Chulalongkorn Day (Sunday, 23 October); Monday, 5 December, H.M. the King’s Birthday; Monday, 12 December, Substitution for Constitution Day (Saturday, 10 December)
Center of Excellence on Technology Development for Education
AIT Management agreed, in principle, on the establishment of a Center of Excellence on Technology Development for Education. The center is intended to adapt and transfer the successful ELITE program from China to the ASEAN countries under the China-ASEAN cooperative network through the ASEAN Division of the Royal Thai Government.
Student Counsellors
AIT Management approved the set-up of an Office for Student Counselling, which can either have a professional psychologist on a part-time or ad hoc basis. The professional psychologist can be administratively supported by a full-time staff and other support staff of the Institute, if required. The Medical Doctor will be requested to recommend a professional psychologist or trained student counselor, who can come to the Institute 1-2 times a week or once every fortnight or as needed. The Office for Student Counselling, once set up, shall subsequently identify student wardens as main contact persons for students. It was reported that there are already senior students identified as wardens for each dorm.
Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma – Former FAO Regional Representative for Asia Pacific – appointed Senior Advisor to the AIT President
Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma has been appointed as Senior Advisor to the President of the Asian Institute of Technology, starting September 2015. Mr. Konuma recently retired as Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. Mr. Hiroyuki will advise the president on food issues, one of AIT’s focus themes.
Prof. Ioan Marinescu appointed Senior Advisor to the AIT President: ABET Accreditation for Industrial, Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Programs
Prof. Ioan D. Marinescu has joined AIT for the August Semester during his sabbatical from the University of Toledo, USA. He has been appointed as Senior Advisor to the President with two primary functions. Prof. Marinescu will teach a management of research course at the School of Management and he will assist the Institute to gain ABET Accreditation (USA) for Industrial, Civil and Environmental Programs, liaising with Prof. Nitin Tripathi, Director of Special Degree Programs, Prof. S. Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the identified field of study coordinators. The process is expected to last at least 18 months, and Prof. Marinescu will complete the preliminary stage of the process by the end of the year.
Inspection Team to AIT Center in Vietnam
AIT Management authorized a decision of the Audit Committee (13 July 2015) to send a team to AIT Center in Vietnam to review and assess its financial performance along with financial aspects of the academic and training programs offered at AITCV. Also, the team will assess the governance, risk management and internal control systems of the Center. AIT Head of Finance Mr. Noppadon Rittipongshusit and Compliance Officer Mr. Bishwa Kanta Gautam, and Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, Vice President for Resource will visit AITCV for ten days in September.
New Campus Machine Shop at ISE in November
Approval has been given to open a new Campus Machine Shop at the Industrial Systems Engineering Building (Chalermprakiat Building) at the beginning of November. The Machine Shop housed at ISE will provide services for the whole campus. Dr. Pisut Koomsap leads the initiative. The SET / ISE Sr. CIM Lab Technician will initially serve as the shop’s machinist. The Office of Procurement, Inventory & Assets (OPIA) will channel all external work requests for machine shop services to the Central Machine Shop.
CCTV for Staff Housing Buildings
Security will be enhanced at Staff Housing facilities with the introduction of video monitoring systems. CCTV is being installed and will be operational in one month
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Announcements
Call for Proposals due in September and October
Prof. Kanchana Kanchanasut, Vice President for Research, would like to remind the AIT Community regarding the following call for proposals due in September/October 2015:
1- BIO-Asia: Grant of 200 000 EUR max. for 2 years. Candidate teams should involve at least 3 research units: 1 French, 1 ASEAN, 1 other Asian (ASEAN or not). Priority Topics: biodiversity, biotechnologies, food security, health.
http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/bio-asie (French, English versions available)
Deadline: September 13
2- ICT-Asia: Grant of 200 000 EUR max. for 2 years. Candidate teams should involve at least 3 research units: 1 French, 1 ASEAN, 1 other Asian (ASEAN or not). Priority Topics: ICT applied to Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Food Security, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services, Health Informatics.
http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/stic-asie (French, English versions available)
Deadline: September 13
3- AIT / ICT-ASIA: Additional ICT-ASIA Grant with the Asian Institute of Technology. Max 143 000 EUR for 2-year projects. Teams: at least 3 research centers: 1 AIT, 1 French, 1 other Asian. Directed at fundamental research in ICT.
http://ictasia.ait.asia/
Deadline: September 27
4- Regional Forum on Climate Change grant of 143 000 EUR for 3 projects (adaptation/mitigation/cross-cutting studies).Teams must involve at 3 research centers: 1 AIT, 1 French, 1 other Asian.
http://www.rfcc2015.ait.asia/Presentation/CallForTermsOfReferece (English)
Deadline: October 31
Call for Applications – Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
Striving for excellence in education and research in the discipline of mechanical engineering with global out-reach and impact, The Department of Mechanical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is now inviting outstanding graduates for full-time PhD study in Hong Kong within The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2016/2017.
The Scheme provides a monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (approximately US$2,600) and Conference and Research related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,300) per year for awardees for maximum period of three years. In addition, PolyU will provide each PhD Fellowship with a 3-year tuition scholarship and guarantee hall accommodation in the first year of study. Details of the Scheme can be found in the attached leaflet.
Application key dates and procedures:
1 Sept 2015 Call for applications
1 Dec 2015 Deadline for submitting initial applications to the RGC by the applicants for allocation of a reference number
1 Dec 2015 Deadline for submission of full applications to PolyU
March/April 2016 Notification of results
How to apply http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ro/hkphd-fellowship/en/how_to_apply/admission_requirements.html
ABU Asia Pacific Robot Contest
Thailand will host the “ABU Asia Pacific Robot Contest” next year under the theme "Clean Energy Recharging the World.” It is organized by Thailand’s TV Channel 9 (MCOT).
The contest’s rules were announced on 23 August 2015 in Indonesia. The rules are specified by an academic committee chaired by Dr. Manukid Parnichkun of the Mechatronics Program, AIT School of Engineering and Technology.
Please see the contest introduction VDO from the following links:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/137036433
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-AhJHUBuNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Ma9yKFsjY
Further information is available at: www.aburobocon2016.com
NSTDA-EURAXESS Science Slam 2015
Science Communication Competition – First Prize is a Networking Trip to Europe!
The popular EURAXESS Science Slam 2015 has officially kicked off in six regions across the globe. The annual science communication competition takes place this in ASEAN, Brazil, China, India, Japan, and North America. The lucky winners will travel to Europe for the unique chance to network with research peers at one of Europe’s top research institutes. EURAXESS Links ASEAN and its national partners, including NSTDA, who are organizing qualifying events in THAILAND, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, and VIETNAM. The winner of each national qualifying event will compete for the title of EURAXESS Science Slam ASEAN winner 2015 at the live finals in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 November 2015.
WHAT IS THE SCIENCE SLAM?
The Science Slam offers a platform for young research talent to showcase their work outside of the formal constraints of a research lab or class room. Each slammer will be judged on the basis of his/her ability to capture the audiences' attention with a precise, accessible and original introduction to their research topic.
WHO?
Researchers (from master’s students to advanced researchers) of all nationalities and research fields currently based in Thailand.
WHEN?
The submission process for the NSTDA – EURAXESS Science Slam is open until October 5, 2015.
HOW?
What you need to do to join the competition:
1. Be creative and develop an original idea to present your research project to the world: Tap dancing, singing, old-school presentation, scientific equipment - all is allowed.
2. Make a 3-minute video of your presentation in English.
3. Submit your video to simon.grimley@euraxess.net
THE PRIZE
The winner of the NSTDA-EURAXESS Science Slam national competition will compete for the title of the EURAXESS Science Slam ASEAN winner 2015 at the live finals in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 November 2015. Your flight and accommodation expenses will be fully covered if you are outside of Bangkok.
The winner of the EURAXESS Science Slam ASEAN 2015 will be awarded a round trip to Europe where he or she will attend a scientific meeting along with the winners of the other EURAXESS Science Slams held in North America, Japan, India, China and Brazil.
He/She will also have the opportunity to travel to a European research institution of his/her choice!
See more details: http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/links/events/asean/science_slam
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Campus Updates
Google Street View Real Capturing in AIT
Google has confirmed for Google street view real capturing in AIT on 1 Sep 2015, from 9:00-15.00 hrs.
9:30 - Google team arrive at campus
10:00 - Car drive around the road
- Trekker capture walking/bike lane
- Tripod capture AITCC Dining Hall
11:00 - Car finish driving
- Trekker continue capture walking/bike lane
- Tripod capture AITCC Lobby
12:00-13:00 - Lunch break
13:00 - 15:00 - Trekker continue capture walking/bike lane
- Tripod capture AITCC Auditorium
Once the picture of the street view of AIT is captured, it will be added into AIT maps and the whole world will be able view AIT’s streets. Being a green campus and well known for innovative research activities, we need to maintain our campus clean and beautiful.
The AIT community are requested to:
- Not throw any trash on the green areas and streets.
- Not throw garbage outside the bins
- Park one’s car at the designated parking areas of schools and accommodation (definitely not on the streets near Administration Building (at parking area only), CSIM, AFE, WEM & Energy buildings)
- Park one’s bicycle in order, if possible at the parking areas
The AIT Community’s support on the above requests will be highly appreciated on 1 September.
A Trial Access to Knovel at AIT Library
AIT Library has obtained a trial access to Knovel, a web-based application that integrates trusted technical information with optimized search and interactive data analysis tools.
Knovel helps you rapidly discover and find answers to solve technical problems so you can be confident of having support for your teaching, learning, research and design.
Try Knovel for yourself today: http://app.knovel.com/web/
Click above link or type http://app.knovel.com into your browser.
Watch the brief video tutorials from the below link: http://help.elsevier.com/app/answers/list/p/9539/c/9997 and it is easy to start using Knovel!
To get better user experience, the users are encouraged to register and create your own profile by clicking here. Registration from Asian Institute of Technology campus and a valid Asian Institute of Technology email address (@ait.ac.th (or) @ait.asia ) is required.
AIT Library is continuously looking for ways and resources to support the highest quality of research, teaching and learning. The Knovel trial access will end on 26 November 2015 but your feedback will help the Library to decide whether to subscribe to Knovel for longer term. So do feel free to drop us a comment after using Knovel.
Language Center organizes Chinese Courses
The AIT Language Center will organize two Chinese language courses as follows:
• Basic Chinese Conversation: September 1 – October 22, 2015
Tuesday and Thursday, from 16:30 - 18:00 hrs.
• Advanced Chinese Conversation: September 1 – October 22, 2015
Tuesday and Thursday (students can select the time of convenience)
a) 11.30 - 13.00 hrs.
b) 18.00 - 19.30 hrs.
The discounted fee for the courses is only 750 baht due to kind support of the Chinese Government through the Confucius Institute (no refund).
Interested persons please register at the Language Center, Room 216.
UNFCCC Adaptation video documentary - subtitled in 9 languages
The subtitled versions of the video documentary “Adapting to a changing climate” prepared by the UNFCCC's Adaptation Committee are now released. It is translated into nine languages, including the six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) as well as Portuguese, Bengali and Hindi.
This 20-minute documentary highlights the growing recognition of the need for action to adapt to climate change around the world and introduces viewers to the topic of climate change adaptation by weaving inspiring stories of adaptation action together with interviews with officials and experts. In June, it won a gold award at the prestigious Deauville Green Awards.
Please find the link to the video below:
Further information in all languages mentioned above can be accessed via: http://goo.gl/9jsNRh
Please download the documentary in high definition quality at the following link: https://goo.gl/tiLGUU
All versions can be found on YouTube: https://goo.gl/iGP5BF
Should you have any question, please contact: acdocumentary@unfccc.int
AIT Timeline Launched by MCU
Media and Communications Unit (MCU) has just launched a new web-based feature called "AIT Timeline" - which is a visually-rich tool highlighting our activities in a timeline format.
It is based on the timelines used by global newspapers for breaking news and developing stories.
The August 2015 timeline can be viewed at this link
http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/timeline/ait-timeline-august-2015/
All future timelines shall be available in the Timeline section of "News and Events."
http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/timeline
Tisco Master Pooled Registered Provident Fund
At present, AIT Provident Fund is under the investment plan called “Tisco Master Pooled Registered Provident Fund”. This plan allows members to choose from different investment policies, see details of the investment policies. Currently, we are under policy no. 1
1. General Fixed-Income Policy
This policy invests in bank deposits and all types of fixed-income instruments (including government bond, financial institution and corporate fixed-income instruments). It aims a moderate return in long-term, and contains some risk of yield fluctuation.
2. Mixed Policy
This policy invests in bank deposits, all types of fixed-income instruments and equities, providing that the investment in equities will not exceed 20%. It aims to receive relatively high return in long-term, and contains relatively high risk of yield fluctuation.
3. Equity Policy
This policy will mainly invest in equities with the average of no less than 65% of net asset value. It aims to receive high return in the long-term, and contains high risk of yield fluctuation.
Members who would like to change their investment policy, he/she can submit the attached application & risk assessment forms to HRO by August 31, 2015, the new policy will take effect 1 October 2015.
For members who does not want to change the policy, the investment is still covered under General Fixed-Income policy (No. 1)
For clarification, please contact Khun Jirada by email (jirada@ait.asia ) or you may call her extension number 5018
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Events
DPMM Seminars for Asia Pacific Initiative for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
Disaster Preparedness Mitigation and Management (DPMM) program shall be conducting a seminar series from August-December 2015 as a part of the Asia Pacific Initiative for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. The seminars will be delivered from JICA Room, Second Floor, School of Engineering and Technology (SET).
To reserve a seat, kindly contact:
Email: dpmm@ait.asia , dpmm.ait@gmail.com
Website: www.dpmm.ait.asia
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
LinkedIn Student Engagement Event: 8 September, 2015
AIT Career Center and ERCO are organizing the first student engagement event for this August 2015 semester with a campus visit by LinkedIn on 8 September 2015. Interested persons kindly register your name to attend the session from 4:00 - 5:00 pm in Rm. B-202, 2nd Floor, AIT Conference Center.
About LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking service. It was founded in December 2002 and launched on May 5, 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. In 2006, LinkedIn increased to 20 million members. As of March 2015, LinkedIn reports more than 364 million acquired users in more than 200 countries and territories. The site is available in 24 languages including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Japanese, Czech, Polish, Korean, Indonesian, Malay, and Tagalog. As of 2 July 2013, Quantcast reports LinkedIn has 65.6 million monthly unique U.S. visitors and 178.4 million globally, a number that as of 29 October 2013 has increased to 184 million.
To register, please click on the following link:
https://docs.google.com/a/ait.asia/forms/d/1iWGoGjNh3LzgY5uDs5TIqR5GtNH-bcqVUSrQpiWa_Sk/viewform
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Faculty and Staff Travel
Mr. Fazle Karim / Dhaka, Bangladesh / 28 July – 4 August 2015*
Mr. Xinjing Qi / Chengdu, Sichuan and Guizhou Province, China PRC / 30 July – 7 August 2015*
Dr. Naveed Anwar / Manila, Philippines / 13 – 15 August 2015*
Dr. Prabhat Kumar / Vientiane, Savannakhet and Khammouan, Lao PDR / 15 – 21 August 2015*
Mr. Gyanendra R. Sthapit / Kathmandu, Nepal / 16 – 23 August 2015*
Dr. Lal Samarakoon / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 17 – 23 August 2015*
Dr. Didin Agustian Permadi / Bandung, Indonesia / 22 – 26 August 2015*
Dr. Chotchai Charoenngam / Vietnam / 22 – 30 August 2015*
Prof. Mukand Singh Babel / Hanoi, Vietnam / 23 – 24 August 2015*
Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat / Chiang Mai, Thailand / 24 August 2015*
Dr. Nitin K. Tripathi / Chiang Mai, Thailand / 24 August 2015*
Dr. Masahiko Nagai / Manila, Philippines / 24 – 26 August 2015*
Dr. B.H.W. Hadikusumo / Myanmar / 25 – 26 August 2015*
Dr. Peeyush Soni / Yangon, Myanmar / 27 – 28 August 2015*
Mr. Faisal Alih / Manila, Philippines / 30 August – 2 September 2015
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 31 August – 5 September 2015
Dr. Lal Samarakoon / Hanoi, Vietnam / 2 – 4 September 2015
Dr. Thammarat Kootatep / Seoul, South Korea / 2 – 4 September 2015
Prof. Nazrul Islam / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 2 – 5 September 2015
Mr. Syams Nashrullah / Hanoi, Vietnam / 2 – 6 September 2015
Ms. Narumon Wangnai / Pattaya, Chonburi and Nakorn Ratchasima / 5 – 7 September 2015
Mrs. Warindhorn Wachirasiri / Pattaya, Chonburi and Nakorn Ratchasima / 5 – 7 September 2015
Dr. Supat Wangwongwatana / Paris, France / 6 – 11 September 2015
Ms. Adelaida Roman / Paris, France / 6 – 13 September 2015
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
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Classifieds (Jobs)
Assistant or Associate Professors Positions (School of Management)
Ref. No: Fac 5/15
Deadline: 31 August 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/309
Senior Laboratory Supervisor (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No: 18/15
Deadline: 31 August 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/310
Drasftman (AIT Consulting)
Ref. No: 35/15
Deadline: 31 August 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/327
Structural Engineer (AIT Consulting)
Ref. No: 42/15
Deadline: 31 August 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/334
Senior Laboratory Supervisor (School of Engineering & Technology)
Ref. No: 43/15
Deadline: 30 September 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/335
Laboratory Attendant (School of Engineering & Technology)
Ref. No: 44/15
Deadline: 30 September 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/336
Quality Assurance Manager (AIT Consulting)
Ref. No: 23/15
Deadline: 30 September 2015
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/316