Bangkok--1 Jul--Asian Institute of Technology
Thirty-two postgraduate students from Myanmar, the third tranche of scholars supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA), began their two-year academic journey at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 27 June 2014 with their Orientation Program.
Congratulating the students, Mr. Chatri Moonstan, Senior Programme Office (Development Cooperation), Royal Norwegian Embassy stated that AIT has an “important role offering knowledge and skills to students all over Asia.” Delivering a message from the Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Ms. Katja Christina Nordgaard, Mr. Chatri stated that Norway was supporting the scholarship program so that the students could serve towards sustainable development of their motherland, Myanmar. “You are the young generation and the future of your country,” the ambassador’s message said. “In return, Norway does not want anything in return, except that you work very hard,” the message added.
AIT’s Interim President, Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai reiterated AIT’s vision of continuing to provide quality education and catering to the development needs of the region. Tracing the history of scholarships provided to students from different countries, Prof. Worsak stated that in the nineteen-eighties, students from China were major beneficiaries, which was followed by students from Vietnam in the nineteen-nineties. For the past three years, students from Myanmar have benefitted from the generous scholarship support by NMFA, he added.
Dr. Donyaprueth Krairit, Interim Dean, School of Management, and Dr. Rajendra Shrestha of School of Environment, Resources and Development, addressed the students and informed them of the academic offerings at their respective schools. Dr. Gabrielle Groves Punyaratabandhu, Head, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO), provided a brief introduction of the program. Mr. Thomas Hamilton from the AIT Language Center described the details of the bridging program, while Ms. Laarni Ms. Laarni B. Roa, Head, Students elaborated on registration of students and other student-related procedures.