Bangkok--25 Dec--AIT
A total of 271 students hailing from 20 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe were conferred with graduate degrees from AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust at the 118th AIT Graduation Ceremony held on December 18, 2012.
For the first time since the flood disaster of October 2011, the AIT Commencement Ceremony took place at the main campus, this time inside the Institute’s newly refurbished auditorium, and Conference Center. The graduation attracted a large number of diplomats, special dignitaries, honored guests and media.
Vietnamese made up the largest number of graduates by nationality with 103, followed by Thais with 78. All of AIT’s newest alumni completed their studies from the School of Engineering and Technology, School of Environment, Resources and Development, and School of Management.
In his Graduation Message, President Irandoust eloquently welcomed all to the auspicious occasion and congratulated the latest graduates on their achievements in an impassioned address.
Gracing AIT’s Graduation Ceremony for the first time was new Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, Mr. Nopadol Gunavibool, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Thailand. In his first role as AIT Chairman, Mr. Nopadol delivered a Graduation Message.
Ms. Carrie Thompson, Acting Mission Director, Regional Development Mission for Asia, United States Agency for International Development, Bangkok, Thailand, delivered a well-received commencement address. In her current capacity, Ms. Thompson oversees regional programs addressing health, environment, economic growth and vulnerable populations in South and South-East Asia as well as USAID bilateral programs in China, Myanmar, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Thailand.
The graduation also highlighted the formal installation of Prof. Sumanta Guha, School of Engineering and Technology, as new professor. In his Professorial Remarks, Prof. Guha spoke of AIT’s special international character and its continued role as a unique higher learning institute for the region. Selected as the Most Outstanding Student for the 118th Graduating Class, Mr. Viney Hora of the School of Management delivered a memorable graduation message on behalf of his classmates.
H.E. Mr. Ngo Duc Thang, Ambassador, Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and H.E. Mr. Lutfi Rauf, Ambassador, Embassy of Indonesia, were joined a large diplomatic corps from Bangkok representing the Embassy of Bangladesh, the Embassy of India, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of Kenya, the Embassy of Malaysia, the Embassy of Nepal, the Embassy of Nigeria, the Embassy of Pakistan, and the Embassy of Timor Leste as the distinguished guests. Also participating at the ceremony were representatives from Thai government agencies, international organizations, non-governmental universities, industry, and the media.