Bangkok--25 Jan--AIT
Three months to the day its campus was completely flooded, forcing the large-scale evacuation of all students, faculty, staff and residents, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) celebrated its 116th Graduation Ceremony on 21 January 2012.
A total of 243 students from 25 countries representing Asia, Africa and Europe were conferred with graduate degrees at the ceremony held at the National Science and Technology Development Agency’s (NSTDA) Convention Center at Thailand Science Park, adjacent to the AIT campus in Pathumthani province.
Once again the newest batch reflected AIT’s international diversity and commitment to development, as graduates included citizens of Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Timor-Leste. Vietnamese made up the largest number graduates by nationality, with 97 earning post-graduate degrees, followed by 73 graduates from Thailand.
The event was graced by Ms. Margaret Wahlstrom, Special Representative of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for Disaster Risk Reduction as the special graduation speaker. Members of the AIT Board of Trustees, AIT Alumni Association, high-ranking officials, and special dignitaries joined the proceedings.
During Thailand’s recent catastrophic flooding, AIT was completely inundated under 2.5 meters of water. It suffered severe damage to 50 percent of its academic and administrative buildings and close to 40 per cent of its residences.
Convening the graduation ceremony so soon after the disaster was recognized as a significant accomplishment by AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust. “It’s a victory for all of us,” he remarked to the 116th Graduating Class, paying tribute to the hard work, sacrifice, dedication and commitment of the entire AIT community to make the graduation ceremony happen “despite the odds”.
Ms. Wahlstrom brought senior-level perspectives from her career spanning more than 30 years in international disaster response and humanitarian work. In the aftermath of some of the worst-ever flooding to hit Thailand, and the pain it wrought to AIT, Ms. Wahlstrom called on AIT’s newest alumni to use their special and newfound expertise to reduce the risks of disasters on people everywhere.
We cannot completely prevent disasters, but we can considerably lessen their impact by properly assessing risk by using science, technology and social science to plan properly above all else, she remarked. “We know where disasters come from,” she said, “they come from people,” she said, stressing the need for planning professionals like AIT graduates.
AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) President Mr. Chawalit Chantararat, Executive Director, Team Group, echoed Ms. Wahlstrom, saying he strongly believed AIT graduates can tackle the most difficult of challenges.
Photo shows AIT President Said Irandoust addressing the graduates. Also in the photo are: Ms. Margaret Wahlstrom, Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction as the special graduation speaker; H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, AIT Chairman of Board of Trustees; and AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) President Mr. Chawalit Chantararat, Executive Director, Team Group.