EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP:  A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR MANKIND

Worsak Kanok‐Nukulchai, Ph.D.President,  Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

"Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Together “Gyeongju, 30 May‐1 June 2016

Global Citizens__________________________

Take Local Actions with International Perspectives;Appreciate Diversity in Cultures and Religions; Act Environmentally Responsible ways; Appreciate Research for Mankind; Team Work under Interconnected Societies and Interdisciplinary Integration. 

World Labor Force of the FutureThe Large Need for developing Global Citizens

(Source: IIE presentation at NAFSA conference, May 2013)

Need? – A Neutral Platform for Grooming Global Citizens

To ensure inclusive, safe and equitable quality education,  which focuses on borderless solutions for sustainable development, for qualified individuals irrespective of races, religions and cultures.

1. International perspective2. Regional orientation3. Multidisciplinary approach 4. Cross national solutions5. Relevant research6. Knowledge dispersal in a market 

economy 7. Politically neutral.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) : A Regional Platform For Education of Global Citizenship

Since 1959, AIT has been serving as a Neutral Platform for Sustainable Development through Global Collaboration in Education, Science & Technology, and Social Entrepreneurship.

AIT is not a traditional university, but a global institute with missions !

(1) Teaching & Learning

(2)  Research 

(3) Knowledge Transfer

(4) International Dimension

(5) Regional Engagement

Current Students(1,713 Students from 41 Countries/Territories) In January 2016 Semester

Thailand29%

Vietnam18%

India13%

Myanmar8%

Nepal6%

Pakistan5%

Bangladesh4%

Sri Lanka4%

Afghanistan2%

France1%Indonesia

1%

Cambodia1%

PR China1% Philippines

1%

Japan1% Country Count

Thailand 505Vietnam 313India 226Myanmar 144Nepal 99Pakistan 83Bangladesh 67Sri Lanka 65Afghanistan 40France 25Indonesia 22Cambodia 20PR China 16Philippines 12Japan 10Lao PDR 8Nigeria 8Iran 5Malaysia 5Korea 4

USA 4Kenya 3Taiwan 3Tanzania 3Australia 2Ethiopia 2Germany 2Hungary 2Mongolia 2Zimbabwe 2Benin 1Bhutan 1Colombia 1Costa Rica 1Finland 1Ghana 1Hong Kong 1Norway 1Singapore 1Timor‐Leste 1Uzbekistan 1

21,589 ALUMNI from 100 Countries/Territories as of December 2015

Thailand27.45%

Vietnam16.94%

Nepal5.58%

India5.45%

Bangladesh5.14%Sri Lanka

4.85%

Philippines4.49%

Taiwan4.17%

Pakistan4.09%

China4.05%

Indonesia3.79%

Myanmar3.32%

Cambodia1.96%

Laos1.59%

Malaysia1.52%

Europe1.57% Middle and Central

Asia1.06%

Africa 0.48% North America

0.24% Others2.26%

0

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1961‐70 1971‐80 1981‐90 1991‐2000 2001‐13

WomenMen

Distribution of Graduates by Gender

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TEACHING UNIVERSITY1959-1970

RESEARCH UNIVERSITY1970-2010

THE EVOLUTION OF AIT

Academia Real World

RESEARCH UNIVERSITY WITH INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP

Help !AIT TODAY

Landscape of Research onScience and Technology

• Research for Mankind 

• Research for Economic Gain

Public and International Funding

Private and Industrial Funding

All cross‐border problems in the real‐world have no physical and disciplinary walls

Nature of Cross‐Border Issues.

What Remains a Challenge? Collaborations with 

Industries for Innovative Technology – R&D for Economic Gains.

Collaborations with Academic Partners and NGO on Solution to Cross‐BoaderIssues – R&D for Humankind.

Collaborations Sharing Solutions 

Collaborations Sharing Expertise (Bilateral Assistance) 

Collaborations Sharing of Resources 

Domestic or Cross‐Countries

$

Collaborations Sharing Ownership

Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary

More Participation ‐ More Impact 

CROSS‐BORDER, TRANS‐BOUNDARY ISSUESREGIONAL LOCALIZATION ISSUESREGIONAL SOCIALIZATION ISSUES

Post‐Disaster Needs for Shelter and Sanitation are common globally, but with local touch.

AIT Habitech Technology AIT’s Solar‐Powered Toilet

Solutions for Mankind

Cross‐Border Issues.Issues like climate change, disasters, floods, pollution, share of international rivers, have no boundaries

CLIMATE CHANGEResearch for Humankind

SUSTAINABLE SANITATION FOR THEPOOR

Research for Humankind

Agricultural Learning Exchange for Asian Regional Networking (AgLEARN)Total Research Grant: 899,000 USD

Project Period: 2013‐2016

Location of the Action: Nepal, Bangladesh, Cambodia with support from collaborators in Thailand, India and USA, 

AIT is a Neutral Platform for Regional Engagement & Cooperation 

The Regional Integrated Multi‐Hazard Early Warning System for Asia and Africa (RIMES) is hosted at AIT

GMSARN Greater Mekong Sub‐region Academic and Research Network

AIT is the Secretariat Hub of GMSARN – A network of 12 of the top-ranking academic and research institutions in the GMS

Yunnan University (YU), Yunnan

Hanoi University of Technology (HUT) Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMCUT) Vietnam

National University of Laos (NUOL) Laos

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Thailand

Thammasat University(TU) Thailand

Khon Kaen University (KKU) Thailand

Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)Cambodia

Institute of Technology (ITC) Cambodia

Guangxi University (YU), Guangxi, China

Yangon Technological University (YTU) Myanmar

• Human Resources Development

• Joint research• Dissemination of 

information and intellectual assets generated in the GMS

24-HOUR MEDICAL SERVICES WITH MEDICAL INSURANCERELIGIOUS LIFE FULLY RESPECTED

MULICULTURAL LIVINGIN AIT

AIT is the only real international post-graduate

institute in Asia

AIT sets up LANGUAGE CENTER to offers a range of intensive English remedies and training for students during their studies at AIT.

ENGLISH IS MONO-LINGUAL AT AIT for instruction, publication, administration, interaction with partners & visitors

LIBRARY is central to the academic life of every student. The Institute has an integrated online system with over 250,000 items and 900 journal subscriptions

in science, engineering, technology and management.

CAREER CENTER@AIT is a lifelong resource for international and regional corporations to recruit highly sought international graduates.

NO FOREIGN STUDENTS AT AIT, ONLY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS from 46 countries from Asia, Africa, America, and Europe….

DORMITORIES. There is an appropriate housing for all types of students (single, married, with families; air-conditioned and non-airconditioned).

EATERIES. There are several eateries on campus that provide inexpensive meals catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.

CHILD SUPPORT. The AIT Community School offers early childhood international education from kindergarten to Grade 7.

SPORTS and recreational facilities include swimming pools, tennis courts, table tennis, badminton courts, basketball courts, volleyball, squash, football, and

cricket fields – aside from which, a mini-gym.

RUN, RUN, AIT RUN.

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL

AIT STUDENTS PRACTICE TRUE DEMOCRACY, MODELLED AFTER A UN SYSTEM