The Way Forward

1. The Way Forward Prof. Said Irandoust President Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok Thailand

2. AIT in the Present Context Challenges and Opportunities Ahead Focus and Development of Strong and Strategically Important Areas A New University of Professions in Partnership with Society ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CONTENTS

3. AIT in the Present Context 2005 Very important strengths - Technical Expertise and Internationality • 2016 Students from 51 Countries/Territories • 13841 Alumni from 74 Countries/Territories • 20000 Short-term Trainees from 71 Countries/Territories • 120 Faculty from 26 Countries • 1000 Research and Support Staff from 30 Countries • 202 Sponsored Research Projects • 30 Board of Trustee members from 25 Countries • Consolidated Budget: 33 Millions US $ • Operating Budget: 15 Millions US $

4. AIT in the Present Context 2005 “AIT should be based on education and research towards the sustainable development of the region, strengthening the knowledge, development and business capacity of the region supporting the community economic development and its integration into the global economy”

5. Challenges and Opportunities Ahead • Building the capacity for research in the region • Strong focus on the needs: • Stakeholders, Involvement of People from Industry, Researchers and National Research Institutes and from other Academic Institutions are important steps. • High relevance to the national and regional users including efficient, low-cost, adapted technologies

6. Challenges and Opportunities Ahead • Mutual respect and trust, openness, participation at all levels. • Boundary-less, team and outcome-oriented organizational structures • Student-oriented universities with knowledge and learning • Development of the “complete individual” is an important objective • Institute to alleviate the financial situation • Develop innovative concepts

7. Focus and Development of Strong and Strategically Important Areas • Clearly focused on its mission: identifies strategic research focus areas which respond to the regional development needs • Translated into a long-term strategic business plan • The strategic knowledge areas: based on AIT’s core strengths, its uniqueness • Position AIT as the pre-eminent graduate institute in the region

8. Focus and Development of Strong and Strategically Important Areas PARTNERT INDUSTRY A I T • Studied Carefully: Road Maps of various governments in the context of the Asian region • Active collaboration/partnership • Implement step-by-step concept of RCM • AIT Field of Studies should be consolidated to achieve critical mass • AIT Degree: Three dimensional approach

9. Focus and Development of Strong and Strategically Important Areas • Dynamic connected knowledge community • Intellectual and professional growth: add value to the Institute • Committed to fostering and sharing innovation and knowledge for the benefit of the entire region • Sustainable regional development and promote entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry • Triple Helix constellations

10. A New University of Professions in Partnership with Society • Linked to praxis and real influence from the professions (Partnership) • integration of scientific knowledge and knowledge from the professions • AIT’s degree programs: integration of practice-based knowledge and scientific knowledge • Recognizing the validity of vocational; • Experience-based knowledge; Engaging the professions in partnership, emphasizing the criterion of relevance; forming strategic alliances, implementing new models of doctoral studies and implementing an appropriate organizational structure

11. Concluding Remarks Asian Institute of Technology Graduation Day Challenges and Strategies • Changes in pattern of economic growth in many regions • Experience problems in competing for market shares • Shift towards a world market where knowledge-based products predominate • AIT’s strengths lie: its orientation and in its commitment to the specific and relevant needs of the developing countries of Asia • Take this opportunity to reach out to all our alumni

12. Concluding Remarks Asian Institute of Technology Graduation Day CHALLENGES • Increasing competition from non Asian Countries • Lack of core funding and clear ownership • Too much dependence on tuition and fees • Non-competitive cost structure. • Heavy non-academic, administrative functions • Lack of clear focus in research and education • Continuing need to invest in new faculty and equipment • Academic and administrative procedures and processes Lack of incentives • Lack of integration among the different activities Need to increase the internationality at AIT.

13. Concluding Remarks STRATEGIES • Shift from donorship to partnership with clear ownership • Development of long-term strategic business plan with clear ownership • Introduce a culture of openness, transparency and accountability • Towards attracting research funding • Increase partnership with private sector • Increase focus on outreach activities • Development of marketing and promotion strategies that would add values to the Institute • Face-lift of AIT with increases in capital investment in academic facilities. • Leverage AIT’s internationality and political neutrality