Bangkok--28 Jan--Midas Public Relations
Professor Said Irandoust, President of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), says the decision to start a Fact-Finding Committee at AIT is “significant and welcome.” On Tuesday 22nd of January, the AIT Board of Trustees agreed that a Fact-finding Committee would be set up by the end of January to look into all issues that have arisen at various sectors of AIT since the 2011 floods. This assessment was applauded by Professor Irandoust.
“Importantly, the Board outlined a way to help move AIT forward. We should all welcome this,” Irandoust said in a statement released to AIT faculty, staff, students and alumni on Tuesday night. “I welcome this decision of the Board, which will help to clarify many outstanding issues and also build back the reputation of AIT and help AIT to move forward.”
Held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Bangkok, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Nopadol Gunavibool, Deputy Permanent Secretary of MFA Thailand and Chairman of the Board. The board itself will be appointing the approximately five members to make up the new committee, which is planned to be started on the first day of February and is expected to continue through until the end of that month. Further outlining his support for this resolution, Irandoust stated that the decision is “in line with my Open Letter dated 11 December 2012.”
Professor Irandoust also volunteered to take a leave of absence while the committee is underway to mitigate any possible conflicts.
“In order to ensure that the fact finding committee can work independently and transparently, and that there are no conflicts of interest or even appearances of conflicts of interest, I will take a leave of absence from the Office of the President during the period of fact finding.”
Other high ranking officials of AIT, who are also involved in the conflict, are also expected to take leave of absence, in line with recommended international practices based on principles of ethics.
In his public statement, Irandoust specified however that he will be openly accessible to the committee over the month. “During this period I will be available to the fact-finding committee whenever required. I assure the Board of my full support to a strong, qualified and independent fact finding committee.”
During the fact-finding period the appointed Committee will conduct interviews with all concerned parties as well as collecting and reviewing supporting documentation to find the truth.
After submission of the facts report by the Committee, the 21 members of the current Board of Trustees will decide what should be done based on the conclusions found over the month.
As in all fact-finding committees, it is implied that this mission will be based upon three concepts: truth seeking, conflict resolution and impartiality.
AIT’s President of seven years outlined that there needs to be specific principles adhered to by the committee to ensure that findings are true and correct.
“The fact finding committee … will be (selected) by the Board based on their neutrality, independence, impartiality, internationality and qualifications. It will be critical that these criteria are strictly followed to ensure the credibility of the findings. I am pleased to also report the Board’s commitment to ensure the work of this committee will be comprehensive, thorough, fair and transparent.”
The Professor further outlined that all findings should be made public knowledge. “The fact finding process will look into all complaints and allegations against all parties involved in the conflicts, and should be made public and lead to recommendations to help AIT to move forward.”
With significant number of stakeholders including thousands of alumni from all over the world closely observing the work of this fact finding committee, the Board is concerned by appointing a committee that is independent and impartial and with a fair Terms of Reference that will look into the issues of all parties involved in the conflict. The chosen members will also have the task of searching out the truth in its entirety so as to present a fact-based transparent document that can credibly lay bare the disputes that has plagued the respected institution for the past fifteen months.
During the period of fact finding, with the President on voluntary leave, no strategic decisions are expected to be taken in the 54-year-old institute.
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