Bangkok--31 May--Asian Institute of Technology
Invention does not become an innovation until it is commercialized, and this remains one of the biggest challenges for inventors. For too long, research has remained confined to book shelves, and universities need to collaborate with the industry and society to ensure the twin purpose of serving humanity and adding economic value. These were the key remarks of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai while delivering the welcome address on the concluding day of the two-day "Collaboration for Innovation" event organized by AIT Solutions organized on 12-13 May 2016.
Tracing the evolution of AIT, Prof. Worsak stated that while the Institute played the role of a teaching university from 1959-1970, it adopted the role of a research university from 1970-2000. Today, AIT is a research university with a strong partnership with the industry and business, President Worsak said.
Complimenting AIT Solutions for organizing the event, Prof. Worsak remarked that the twin aspects of innovation — innovation for economic gain, and for betterment of humanity runs through all research at AIT. While AIT works with the private sector and industry for ensuring economic returns; it also works with the public sector, international organizations and NGOs, for ensuring that the entire society benefits from its innovations. He quoted two examples of the reinvented toilet and low cost Habitech housing, as evidence of AIT's innovative products.
Highlighting that AIT serves as a neutral platform for sustainable development of the region through global collaboration in education, science and technology, and social entrepreneurship, Prof. Worsak said that the Institute serves as a regional platform for borderless Research and Development for humankind. AIT does this by focused research on water, infrastructure, environment, development, industry, food, information and communication technologies, and energy. The AIT President reminded participants that problems cut across borders and boundaries, and that issues have no physical and disciplinary walls, as he spoke of climate change, flood, pollution, and international river disputes. Just as we share problems, we need to share solutions through collaboration, Prof. Worsak added.
Chief Guest, Dr. Verapong Chaiperm , Governor, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) provided an overview of 55 industries estates functioning in various parts of Thailand. Attached to Thailand's Ministry of Industries, the Authority is actively involved in promoting innovation across all major sectors of industry. Highlighting the 4G+ strategy, Dr. Chaiperm, who graduated from AIT with a doctorate in Environmental Engineering in 1991, stated that growth, green, great, governance and innovation are the keywords of IEAT's vision.
Chairman of Executive Board of the National Innovation Authority, and Chairman, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, Dr. Somchet Thinapong stressed the need to creatively convert knowledge and resources towards societal wealth by employing innovative approaches. "Now is the right time to convert these ideas into reality."
Photo caption: From left are Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Dr. Verapong Chaiperm, Dr. Somchet Thinapong, and Dr. Naveed Anwar.