Bangkok--11 Feb--Asian Institute of Technology
On her maiden visit to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem described AIT as one of the most prestigious institutes of Asia. Visiting AIT for the first time on 3 February 2015, H.E. Ms. Tasneem remarked that not only was AIT the most prestigious institute of Southeast Asia, but it was one of the most prestigious in the Asia-Pacific region.
Recounting her days as a student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), the Ambassador said that she reminisced on the prestige enjoyed by AIT. “It was an aspiration of BUET students to join AIT,” she remarked. It would be my privilege to help raise the profile of a top Asian institute like the AIT in the global discourse.
The Ambassador also proposed the establishment of “Country Chairs” at AIT, stating that different countries could establish their respective “Chairs” at the Institute.
Welcomed at AIT by its President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, the Ambassador was accompanied by Md. Azizur Rahman, Counsellor, Embassy of Bangladesh.
The Ambassador complimented the AIT President for his New Year message to the community, where Prof. Worsak had described his attempts to diversify AIT’s revenue stream. She made special mention of the AIT Library Fundraising Campaign, where contributions have been solicited from corporates, adding that she would encourage corporates to donate towards the campaign.
Addressing students from Bangladesh, Ambassador Tasneem said that she wanted more students from Bangladesh to join AIT. She also asked them to “take AIT to Bangladesh” by returning to their home country and contributing towards the nation’s development.
The Ambassador also delved on the proposed ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the post 2015 development discourse, IPCC report, the impact of climate change on Bangladesh, advantages of Thailand vis-a-vis in AEC, the contribution of Bangladesh in promoting mother languages, International Mother Language Day, and the emergence of Asian countries in the global spectrum.
Prof. Worsak thanked the Ambassador for her encouraging words, and stated that AIT has long maintained its tradition of being an independent international institute. He elaborated on AIT’s association with Bangladesh, stating that besides three faculty and 11 staff members, AIT boasts of 1060 alumni from Bangladesh. AIT has also trained close to 4000 professionals from Bangladesh.
Apart from Prof. Worsak, AIT was represented by Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. C. Visvanathan and Dr. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad of School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD); Prof. Pennung Warnitchai and Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi of School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Dr. Jonathan Shaw and Dr. Fazle Karim of AIT Extension; Mr. Zia Islam of School of Management (SOM); Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe of Fundraising, and Alumni Affairs Office; and Dr. Gabrielle Groves, and Ms. Sumana Shrestha of External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO).
Photo caption: Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (left) and H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem.