WEEK #6, 8 – 14 February 2016
In this issue:
Management Team News and Notes
Management Team News and Notes
Confirmed AIT Management Notes, 21 January 2016
Please be informed that the confirmed notes of the 21 January 2016 meeting of the AIT Management are now Intranet-published at http://www.ait.ac.th/management/aitmt-notes
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Announcements
Condolences to Taiwan
7 February 2016
Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends,
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) offers its deepest condolences to the deceased and those affected by a powerful earthquake that rocked Taiwan early Saturday. We are saddened to hear about the extensive damage.
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck 28 miles southeast of the city of Tainan earlier on Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake was shallow, which contributed to significant damages.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our alumni in Taiwan, former faculty colleagues, friends and institutional partners.
AIT enjoys a longstanding and close relationship with Taiwan and stands ready to provide any assistance that it can in this time of need.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
President
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
PS: Any condolence messages from AIT members can be expressed to President of AITAA Chapter in Taiwan via its President, ou0001@rseaec.com.tw or its Secretary General, joanne9@ms17.hinet.net
Task Force on On-Line Education Platform
Recognizing that the Institute has several programs that are ready to be implemented through the online platform, such as (1) Project Management; (2) Civil Engineering Practices; (3) Climate Change; (4) Leadership and Entrepreneur; and (5) Software Engineering, the President has set up a Task Force on On-Line Education Platform. It will be chaired by President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai.
The following persons have been invited to serve in the Task Force:
* Prof Kanchana Kanchanasut, VP-Research (Advisor)
* Prof Voratas Kachitvichyanukul, SET Dean (Vice Chair)
* Prof Nitin K Tripathi, SDP Director
* Prof Mukand S Babel, SET/WEM
* Dr Naveed Anwar, AIT Solutions
* Dr Matthew N Dailey, SET/CSIM
* Dr BHW Hadikusumo, SET/CEIM
* Dr Surachet Pravinvongvuth, SET/TrE
* Mr Karma Rana, Institute Secretary (Secretary)
The Task Force on On-Line Education Platform shall have the following terms of reference:
1. To consider and select a technical platform which could become AIT’s standard for the delivery of blended online courses. There exist three (3) systems at AIT, one based on available package (Moodle); one based on early day package developed by IntERLab; and one recently developed by AIT Solutions.
2. To deliberate on the use of this platform for professional masters degree programs, which can enroll individual students living in any country in the world. This will eventually become another regular product line of AIT, not only as customized programs for specific clients.
3. The Task Force should study the pros and cons of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and try to select its advantage to fit to the Institute’s networking strength in the region. Thus, there must be an innovation in this new education for professionals, which can be used to make name for AIT.
The Task Force is expected to carry out the tasks mentioned above and complete them by 30 April 2016, and will submit interim reports to the AIT Management as they are available.
It is endeavoured to implement the recommendations of the Task Force, once approved, and launch this new venture by this August 2016 semester (or in January 2017 semester
Call for Proposals for Funding From Thomatsu Consulting Company
Dear Colleagues,
As a follow up to the visit of Mr. Kazuo Tase, Director, Thomatsu Consulting Company, Japan on 15 January 2016, I wish to invite you to prepare brief proposals (maximum 2 pages each) for the submission to Mr. Tase for possible funding by Japanese partner companies in the areas of:
· Food safety
· Post-harvest loss and waste prevention and management
· Food value chain
· Aquaculture
· Water management
· Other AIT priority areas which might be interested by Japanese company
Each proposal (maximum 1-2 page each) should contain:
· Title, project period and name of focal point in AIT
· Objectives
· Expected outputs
· Name of key inputs and respective cost (such as personal/expert costs, equipment/supplies, training/capacity building, others)
· Estimated budget
I should appreciate for your submission of proposals by 20 February 2016 to Ms. Sumana Sherestha (copy to me and Dr. Konuma).
Upon the receipt of your proposals, I will select 5-10 priority proposals for the submission to Mr. Tase.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Regards,
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
President AIT
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Campus Updates
Ongoing construction projects in the campus
Kindly be informed about the following ongoing construction projects in the campus
1. As part of the water supply system improvement project, the construction of a new water storage tank with a volume of 700 m3 near to the Physical Plant building has started. We also plan to lay a new main water pipe line from golf course to the new storage tank and automatic control valves to maintain the pressure, which is scheduled to start from 15 February 2016. The water supply system improvement project is scheduled to be completed before April 2016.
2. We are also glad to inform that a new coffee shop managed by Inthanin Coffee will be opened near the library to serve AIT community. Kindly be informed that the construction of the coffee shop has started, near the path way from library to the SU snack bar. The construction of the coffee shop is scheduled to be completed before April 2016.
During the progress of these constructions, the community may experience some loud noise, dust and disturbance on the path way. Your kind understating is highly appreciated.
Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM)
Shut off centralized Air conditioning system on Saturday, 13 February 2016
As part of the maintenance of centralized air conditioning system, the Office of Facilities and Asset Management (OFAM) has to clean the cooling towers, for which we require the chilled water air conditioning system to be shut off for 4 hours. This will result in all the centralized chilled water-typed A/C not be able to produce cold air.
Date: Saturday 13 February 2016
Time: 09:00 - 13:00
Areas affected: All Academic Buildings inc. SET, SERD, Arcade, AARM, AIT Extension, Outreach, ET, CSIM, GIC, PPT, Biotech , ISE, SOM, AITCC, Admin, SU Building, Library, Physical Plant, and Dorm E, J, K
Talad-Thai Trip on Saturday
Due to the overwhelming response from the AIT community, AIT Campus Sustainability Club (AITCSC) would like to continue the trip to Talad-Thai every Saturday at 4:30-6:30 pm. The number of trips per day will be increased depending upon the community response. Cost of trip amounts to 50THB per head. The aim of the trip is to reduce plastic bag usage and promote carpooling amongst the AIT community. Let us join our hands together for plastic bag reduction and the car-pooling campaign. A small steps by every individuals can make a big difference to protect our environment.
AIT Campus Sustainability Club
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Events
Seminar Impacts of Electricity Access in Developing World
A seminar on Impacts of Electricity Access in Developing World will be delivered by Dr. Govinda R. Timilsina, Senior Research Economist, The World Bank on 9 February 2016 from 10:00-12:00 hours in Room ET238, Energy Building, Asian Institute of Technology.
More details: http://www.ait.ac.th/news-and-events/2016/events/impacts-of-electricity-access-in-developing-world/#.Vqgd3cv-IdU
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Visitors
- Delegation from KUBOTA Corporation, Japan, led by Mr. Satoshi Iida, Senior Managing Executive Officer, GM of Research & Development Headquarters, and GM of Water & Environment R & D / 11 Feb 2016 / to call on AIT President and to meet Dean SET, Coordinators and faculty members of Mechatronics, RS-GIS and CS fields of Study, School of Engineering and Technology
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Faculty and Staff Travel
Dr. Masahiko Nagai / Tokyo, Japan / 28 January – 2 February 2016*
Dr. Masahiko Nagai / Surat Thani, Thailand / 3 February 2016*
Mr. Krishna Ram Yendyo / Vientiane, Laos / 30 January – 6 February 2016*
Ms. Kluaymai Thongkham / Bangalore, India / 5 – 14 February 2016
Mr. Christoffer Larsson / Bangalore, India / 5 – 14 February 2016
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dash / Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Malaysia and Singapore / 7 – 14 February 2016
Mr. Sanjeev Pradeep Jayasinghe / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 7 – 14 February 2016
Mr. Syams Nashrrullah / Jakarta, Indonesia / 8 – 15 February 2016
Dr. Soparth Pongquan / Hat Yai, Songkla / 10 – 11 February 2016
Dr. Jai Govind Singh / Bali, Indonesia / 11 – 12 February 2016
Dr. Lal Samarakoon / Jakarta, Indonesia / 11 – 13 February 2016
Mr. Nawarathnage L. Deshapriya / Colombo, Sri Lanka / 11 – 19 February 2016
Mr. Viraphan Samadi / Auckland, New Zealand / 13 – 24 February 2016
Nisarat Tansakul, Preechai Mekbungwan, Nunthaphat Weshsuwannarugs / Chiang Rai, Thailand / 14 – 17 February 2016
*(Staff or faculty member travelled and returned to AIT prior to documentation received for publication)
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Classifieds (Jobs)
Administrative Officer (Office of the President)
Ref. No: 03/16
Deadline: February 15, 2016
Class Teacher (AIT International School)
Ref. No: 01/2016
Deadline: 15 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/357
Assistant Facilities Officer (Office of Facilities and Assets Management)
Ref. No: 02 / 16
Deadline: 15 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/358
Assistant / Associate Professor (RRDP) (School of Resources and Development)
Ref. No: Fac 06/15
Deadline: 28 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/311
Internal Auditor (Internal Audit Office)
Ref. No: 15/15
Deadline: 28 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/305
Dean, School of Management (School of Management)
Ref. No: 60/15
Deadline: 29 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/354
Laboratory Supervisor (Environmental Engineering and Chemical Analyses)
Ref. No: 57/15
Deadline: 29 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/350
Senior Technician (School of Environment, Resources & Development)
Ref. No: 58/15
Deadline: 29 February 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/351
Assistant / Associate Professor (IME) (School of Engineering & Technology)
Ref. No: Fac 09/15
Deadline: 31 March 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/355
Assistant or Associate Professors Positions (School of Management)
Ref. No: Fac 5/15
Deadline: 30 June 2016
http://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/309
NIRAS needs experts for the Core Environmental Programme (CEP)
NIRAS (www.niras.fi) is currently preparing a proposal for the Core Environmental Programme (CEP) funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Finland (among the many donors). The company is looking for experts from Bangkok or Greater Mekong Sub-Region. The expert positions are listed below.
Core Environment Program Manager
21 person-months, full-time, Bangkok
The consultant/team leader will be responsible for:
(i) Providing technical leadership for the CEP by ensuring programs contribute to national and regional priorities within the scope of the Program Implementation Document and the findings of the recently completed mid-term review; (ii) Ensuring technical programs include change management through an institutional influence context and ensuring that change management is adequately resourced and prioritized; (iii) Ensuring technical programs are delivered in terms of best mainstreaming practice within the context of enhancing environmental management systems that are linked to economic sectors; (iv) Supporting national level institutional development including governance strengthening through the WGE, NSU and supporting the collaboration and communication programs; (iv) Ensuring operational and administrative systems are supporting an accurate and timely management information system that is used on a monthly basis to monitor and improve operational performance; (v) Defining and applying operational benchmarks for all parts of the CEP from work planning, monitoring, administration, procurement, contract management, and capacity strengthening, among others that are integrated with the Project Performance Management system indicators; (vi) Supporting technical experts in leveraging work programs with development partners and national agencies; (vii) Ensuring quality controls are applied to all technical work programs to ensure ‘excellence” at all levels of implementation; (viii) Responsibility for building consensus and maintaining the momentum to define future institutional needs from a regional environment program and then incorporating a transition/exit strategy into all work plans; (ix) Ensuring all work programs are fully integrated with, and provide both input and demand for output of the information and knowledge management services developed under the regional program; and (x) Providing day-to-day management including planning, administration, implementation, and reporting decision making for the CEP.
Program Finance and Administration Specialist
21 person-months, full time, Bangkok
The consultant will: (i) Upgrade the administrative and financial management systems to ensure accurate information is available on all administrative, contract performance, and overall financial systems within the program; (ii) Ensure the required information and the accuracy of information is provided to ADB for maintaining the financial accounts for CEP; (iii) Lead the administrative and finance team (directly engaged by ADB) to provide an efficient and timely service to the CEP program in terms of procurement, financial recording and disbursement systems, contract management, reporting—financial and annual reporting; (iv) Ensure that a fully reconciled accounting system is maintained in EOC that is reconciled with the ADB TAIS; (v) Contribute to the monthly management meetings to ensure all managers and counterparts are fully informed of the status of implementation, contracts and financial expenditure; (vi) Ensure LOA performance is substantially improved in terms of financial management, implementation reporting and administration of disbursements; (vii) Ensure a disbursement controls and systems is in place that is consistent with ADB system, a uniform account coding system is established and applied across all contracts; (viii) Monitor disbursements of contracts and LOAs and prepare monthly/quarterly/annual disbursement and budget projections for the two programs; (v) Prepare monthly financial status of the program and for each contract, including a comparative statement of their budget and cash-flow; (vi) Provide input to semi-annual/annual/progress reports; (viii) Ensure the consulting firm is up to date with financial reporting, including actual and projected disbursement and cash flow status; and (ix) Liaise with TASU/ADB HQ on required TAIS information/data from CTL and financial reports and communication with co-financiers from OCO. In addition, the expert will (x) Lead the procurement of goods and services for CEP, including maintenance of the procurement plan, review terms of reference (TORs) and cost estimates, assist TASU in finalizing shortlisting, proposal evaluation and provide inputs to contract negotiations; (xi) Monitor contracts and Letters of Agreement under the TA and regularly update schedules, budgets and projections; (xii) Develop a consistent set of administrative and disbursement procedures for CEP, and provide documentation and training to all staff and consultant on their introduction and use; and (xiii) Provide support for implementation of the program by providing inputs on financial/disbursement status and projections in the preparation of consolidated work plans for each activity and program and preparing a consistent budget and disbursement templates for the program.
MIS and Applications Specialist
12 person-months, intermittent, Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS)
The consultant will coordinate and support the development of the regional information service with an emphasis on development of applications and develops and applies decision support tools and modeling approaches for CEP. The expert will (i) Implement activities related to the provision of spatial assessments, planning, monitoring, information sharing and dissemination through the regional and national information portals; (ii) Provide capacity building to WGE stakeholders on the application of spatial tools for planning purposes; (iii) Support the maintenance and ongoing development of the GMS regional information service as agreed with eh regional information services manager; and (iv) Develop country capacity on the use of GIS software for spatial analysis and modelling; among other tasks.
Environmental Policy Specialist
12 person-months, intermittent, GMS
The consultant will work closely with governments and other development partners in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia on policy and institutional strengthening for sustainable development, and the priorities for green growth policies and strategies and related implementation options. Tasks will include but not limited to: (i) Conducting a needs assessment and review of the current status of country priorities for green growth or sustainable development strategies relating to the environment and or natural resource related sectors; (ii) Completing an institutional mapping of each issue that includes both government and development partner programs and inputs and range of priorities; (iii) Developing a clear understanding on government priorities to address gaps that require CEP support; (iv) Preparing a proposed work plan to address these gaps including the approach, scope, and methodology along with expected outputs and obtain government agreement on these; (v) Assisting to contract additional technical and implementation support that is required; (vi) Providing technical input and oversight to implementation of the agreed work plans and ensure outputs are linked to a policy based action plan with clear options, implementation arrangements, expected outputs and the relative costs and benefits; and (viii) conducting policy seminars, briefings, and capacity strengthening programs to enable the results to be fully understood and included in policy settings where agreed.
Climate Change Adaptation Expert
12 person-months, intermittent, Phnom Penh, GMS
The consultant will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of activities as required, developing knowledge products on climate change, and preparing background materials for relevant training workshops and capacity building events. Major tasks include, but are not limited to development of priorities, coordination and implementation of climate change activities, including climate change adaptation capacity building and vulnerability assessment, capacity building for REDD+ readiness in Lao PDR and Viet Nam. Additional input may be required for supporting CEP input to transport NAMA feasibility assessment, and GMS Green Freight Initiative, as required. Specific tasks include: (i) Supporting the organization of events related to climate change including activity inception workshops, mid-term workshops, training events and knowledge exchange events; (ii) Supporting the review of technical reports and outputs prepared under different climate change activities; (iii) Liaising with government focal agencies, their development partners and implementing partners during the implementation of national activities as required; and (iv) Supporting the collection of monitoring data and lessons learned for activities as required. The consultant is also expected to develop a series of background materials and knowledge products on climate change including fact sheets drawing from CEP activities on adaptation, SFM / REDD+ and mitigation, focusing on technical aspects of climate change activities such as methodologies for REDD+, current gaps in country mitigation MRV systems, among others. In addition the position will provide support in organizing round table formats at the regional and national level work with the WGE and GMS focal agencies and development partners. The candidate will also be responsible for providing day to day operational support to the Cambodian NSU for CEP administrative and work planning and implementation issues.
Biodiversity Landscapes and Livelihoods Specialist
12 person-months, intermittent, Hanoi, GMS
The consultant has a dual responsibility of (i) Supporting day-to-day overall coordination of activities related to Output 2: Management of transboundary biodiversity conservation landscapes and local livelihoods and (ii) providing day-to-day support for the Viet Nam NSU on operational and administrative concerns. The consultant will work with WGE focal agencies and NSU staff to support implementation of activities on trans- boundary protected area and biodiversity conservation corridor management.
The consultant’s activities will include, but are not limited to: (a) Support and delivery of activities under Output 2: Management of transboundary biodiversity conservation landscapes including preparation of work plans, develop TORs for national and international consultants, and provide leadership in the implementation of the program in Viet Nam and China; (b) Support the development and coordination of measures to monitor and report on progress of Output 2; (c) Provide capacity strengthening inputs, and input to the institutionalization of the CEP spatial programs into government systems and the future investment pipelines; (d) Coordinate with potential CASP programs to support CFA livelihood initiatives; (e) Ensure stakeholder engagement and consultation under activity implementation including communication with partners; (f) Support the preparation and dissemination of knowledge products related to Output 2; and (g) Deliver training and capacity development activities associated with Output 2.
Statistics and Indicators Specialist
12 person-months, intermittent, Bangkok
The consultant will support the implementation of the regional and national level data portals within the regional information services team particularly with respect to statistical data management and indicator development. S/he will support the development of the GMS Regional Information Services systems by managing data collation and indicator development for the GMS online web portal and developing approaches to sharing and highlighting secondary data collected and primary data produced by program activities. The consultant will closely coordinate with other CEP experts, WGE coordinators, and ADB staff. Responsibilities include, but not limited to the management of the GMS web-based indicator portal, development of approaches to highlight and share site and landscape level information, and development of factsheets, knowledge products and other outreach products as required.
IT Specialist
12 person-months, intermittent, Bangkok
The Consultant will administer, maintain, and troubleshoot the entire EOC IT system, including the EOC server, network components, workstations (desktop computers), and printers. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: (i) Perform server side management tasks such as creation/deletion of user accounts, set-up and maintenance of email accounts, and maintenance of the shared drive etc.; (ii) Monitor the EOC website and map tools (GMS Interactive Atlas, Climate Change Data Distribution System) and immediately report to the Outreach Specialist and the GIS/MIS Specialist, respectively, if any of these services are not accessible or online; (iii) Install and maintain backup hard-and software that performs regular backups from workstations to the server and regular backups from the server to an offsite location; (iv) Advise EOC and visiting consultants on the use of the shared drive and ensure that all follow the backup rules as stipulated in the office manual; (v) Diagnose and troubleshoot hardware (server, workstations) and software (MS Windows Server, MS Exchange, MySQL, Desktop Software etc.) related issues and find/implement appropriate fixes; (f) maintain cabled and wireless network connectivity (including the configuration and maintenance of wireless routers etc.); (vi) Maintain desktop hardware, including the setup of new computers, computer components (e.g. upgrades), as well as desktop I network printers and copiers; (vii) Install operating systems, drivers and productivity software, and schedule regular software, driver and security updates; and (viii) support EOC consultants in setting up IT for meetings and workshops.
The NIRAS tendering team will be shortlisting candidates for all positions on Wednesday next week, 10 February 2016. Interested colleagues may send their updated CV to Saana Ahonen (e-mail: Saana.Ahonen@niras.fi).