Bangkok--21 May--AIT
Governor of Nakornnayok, Dr. Surachai Srisarakham sought help and support from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for transforming Nakornnayok into a “smart province,” and welcomed AIT’s presence by offering 100 rai of land to AIT free of cost.
Visiting AIT recently (10 May 2012), the Governor stated that AIT could use Nakornnayok as a model for research applications for the benefit of the people. Nakornnayok can be an AIT base for transferring technology; establishing a department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT); creating a center; or using the province as a practical laboratory for experiments, the Governor suggested. He identified agriculture and food quality, aquaculture, ICT, disaster management, and clean energy as key areas of interest. ‘We will concentrate on innovation and improving the quality of life of people,” Dr. Surachai said.
Dr. Surachai remarked that the province had already developed 32 practical systems which will be rolled out for the people of Nakornnayok. The province has been selected as a model smart province for Thailand, and this can provide an opportunity to AIT students to enhance their knowledge and contribute towards development. The success of Nakornnayok will be replicated in entire Thailand, and would act as a trigger in entire ASEAN region. “We will create knowledge workers and our smart province envisions a direct link with the global market,” the Governor said. Accompanying Dr. Surachai was AIT alumna, Ms.Rassarin Chinnachodteeranun (2007,Master's in Science in Information Management), and a host of officials who are working closely with the “smart province” project.
Welcoming the delegation, the AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust described the Governor’s vision as “inspiring.” The AIT President remarked that AIT has been contributing towards the development of its host country Thailand, and would continue to do so. The AIT President stated that food engineering and safety, aquaculture and fishery, ICT for development, and leadership development programs are areas where AIT can contribute. Prof. Irandoust remarked that AIT has established a number of project offices ranging from Shanghai to Kathmandu, and the offer from Nakornnayok was a welcome step. The AIT President suggested that a task force will be established between the two to create a concrete proposal, which would be communicated to Ms. Wannapa Pliansri, Coordinator, Royal Thai Government, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO).
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development, AIT, stated that Nakornnayok can act as a “real life laboratory” where AIT could base a research center. Prof. Kiyoshi Honda of Chubu University, Japan, who has been working with his students in Nakornnayok province, remarked that the combination of ICT, agriculture and remote sensing technologies is a good combination. Prof. Honda suggested that the establishment of a disaster monitoring station at Nakornnayok, which could include water level monitoring, sensor network and satellite data from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The AIT President suggested that AIT could work with Chubu University in Nakornnayok province.
Photo caption: Dr. Surachai Srisarakham (left) receiving the AIT-Thailand badge from Prof. Said Irandoust.