Bangkok--16 Mar--AIT
Four students of the Pulp and Paper Technology (PPT) field of study of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) have been hosted by the University of British Columbia (UBC) following the inundation of AIT in the Great Thailand Flood of 2011.
Four students of the Pulp and Paper Technology (PPT) field of study of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) have been hosted by the University of British Columbia (UBC) following the inundation of AIT in the Great Thailand Flood of 2011.
Four AIT students, Ms. Pattira Pattarasopachai, Mr. Zulfauzein Nadra, Mr. Dimas Dwi Prasetyo Nugroho, and Ms. Sri Wahdini Rahmi have already reached UBC to continue with their research work. They will be based at UBC for four months starting 1 March 2012.
This gesture comes from UBC, when AIT approached its partners and associates to help its students find adequate research facilities so that they could continue with their research and thesis work. When the flood waters hit the AIT campus, Ms. Pattira Pattarasopachai, a Master’s student at PPT was at UBC’s Pulp and Paper Centre working under the supervision of its director, Prof. James Olson.
Learning about the conditions at AIT, UBC offered to host the students. UBC has also provided a grant of 5500 Canadian dollars per student to cover for travel and other living expenses. The students will not be required to pay tuition fee at UBC, since they are working on their research and thesis.
Commenting on the UBC offer, the AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust, President, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) appreciated the gesture stating that, “It is in times of need that one discovers true friends.”AIT has a long-standing association with UBC and we are extremely grateful that UBC is hosting our students, he said adding that he was sure it will be a great learning experience for the AIT students.AIT has received almost 300 seat offers from its partners instutions and universities who have expressed their interest to host AIT students following the flood.
While Ms. Pattira continues to work under Prof. Olson; Mr. Zulfauzein Nadra, who is working in the field of wet-end chemistry, will be supervised by Prof. Peter Englezos, head of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Mr. Dimas Dwi Prasetyo Nugroho, who is working on minimization of electrical power consumption in paper mills, will be supervised by Prof. Sheldon Green. Ms. Sri Wahdini Rahmi, who is working in the field of refining and dewatering, will complete her work under the supervision of Prof. Mark Martinez. While Ms. Pattira hails from Thailand, the other three students are from Indonesia.
Photo Caption: AIT students at the University of British Columbia, Canada.