Bangkok--8 Dec--AIT
Moist eyes and wide smiles marked an extraordinary Orientation program organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 6 December 2011 to welcome its students back to class.
Barely six weeks after the complete inundation of its campus, returned AIT students began classes at temporary campuses established at universities in Cha-am and Hua Hin, Thailand.
AIT became one of the first flood-impacted universities in Thailand to re-launch academic classes, with over 800 students from all over the world and across the country resuming studies at the Asian Institute of Technology.
A large number of these students had returned to their countries after the floods devastated the AIT campus in Pathumthani province on 21 October 2011. More students will be rejoining in the next few days.
Courtesy support from Silpakorn University (Petchaburi IT campus), Stamford International University, and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, whose generous offer to share facilities helped in the relocation, AIT students are now based at these locations, while the main campus is being cleaned and renovated.
Welcoming the students, AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust stated that following AIT's worst ever crisis, which saw its beautiful campus inundated under 2.5 metres of flood water, the institute had managed to resume its work courtesy untiring support from all quarters.
He quoted the message of the King of Thailand where His Majesty had exhorted Thai people to unite to tackle the floods. “In a united manner, we have exhibited solidarity and the spirit that has sustained AIT for over five decades,” Prof. Irandoust added. Citing an example from Chinese calligraphy, where the word crisis implies both danger and opportunity, the AIT President remarked that the AIT community will tide over this crisis.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Weera Sri-Wathana-trakoon, Governor of Prachuabkirikhan, the Sheriff of Hua Hin, Mr. Somchai Bumroongsap described Hua Hin as a perfect location. Hua Hin is an excellent destination, and I hope international students will cherish their stay here, he said.
At Hua Hin, Vice President of Silpakorn University (Petchaburi IT campus) remarked that every crisis has a positive dimension. AIT's crisis had led to a positive development, since it provided Silpakorn University with an opportunity to host AIT.
Assistant President of Stamford International University (SIU), Dr. Ekkapong Na Ranong, hoped that AIT students would utilize this opportunity to create greater networks.
“When we saw the photographs of the devastation caused at AIT, we decided to offer our facilities to help students continue on their mission of receiving quality education,” he added.
The students were greeted by the three AIT Deans, Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul of the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), Dr. Nitin Afzulpulkar of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET), and Dr. Barbara Igel of the School of Management (SOM) - all of whom thanked the hosts at Silpakorn, SIU and Rajabhat for their generosity and help.
President of AIT Student Union, Avishek Kumar Karky remarked that the AIT spirit was once again evident within six weeks. “We are rebuilding AIT again.”