TABLE OF CONTENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
One year after the devastating ood inundated the pristine campus of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 21 October 2011, the Institute continues to traverse its journey relentlessly and undeterred. Despite its worst crisis in history, the Institute continues to win laurels. This document provides a representative sampling of AIT’s work and achievements during the past eight months.
Graduations
3
Events
4
New initiatives
10
Charter
13
Partner support
15
Visitors/Meetings
16
Honors
19
Book releases
21
Alumni
23
Donations
24
Outreach/Projects
26
Reconstruction
28
GRADUATIONS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT celebrates 116th Graduation, three months after ood devastates campus A total of 243 students from 25 countries representing Asia, Africa, Europe and South America were conferred with graduate degrees. The delay in graduation was only four weeks.
117th AIT Graduation, ďŹ rst under International Intergovernmental Organization era A total of 425 students from 25 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America were conferred with postgraduate degrees. The delay in graduation was only two weeks.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits AIT exhibit HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously visited the AIT booth during her official tour of the annual National Science & Technology Fair at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) on 22 August 2012.
Nepal PM reaffirms support to AIT Council, says country is proud to be a member Prime Minister of Nepal H.E. Rt. Hon. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai reaffirmed Nepal’s support and commitment to the AIT Charter. The AIT President met the Nepal PM twice, in July and October 2012.
APMUN - where people enter as junior delegates, and leave as diplomats 350 young college and university students from 48 countries participated in the Asia-Pacific International Model United Nations (APMUN) event organized in the precincts of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok on 20 September 2012.
TNA Project meeting with AIT as Asia-CIS Region Lead Organization AIT hosted the global-level Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) Project’s “Experience Sharing Workshop” as the Asia-CIS Region Lead Organization from 10-12 September 2012.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
53rd Anniversary Highlighting its special linkages to South-East, South and East Asia, AIT celebrated 53 years of operation in Thailand on 7-8 September 2012.
SAARC AIT President met SecretaryGeneral of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), H. E. Mr. Ahmed Saleem, at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, Nepal on 11 October 2012.
Kurunegala Municipal Council Mayor compliments AIT for Low Carbon initiative Mayor of Sri Lankan Kurunegala Municipal Council Hon. A. Gamini Peramunage complimented the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for initiating the Low Carbon Cities project in his city.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
400 students from 28 countries join AIT Four hundred postgraduate students from 28 countries, spread across ďŹ ve continents (Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia and South America) joined AIT on 10 August 2012.
40 Myanmar students arrive under Norwegian scholarship Forty new postgraduate students from Myanmar under a landmark scholarship program of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) kicked-off their academic careers at AIT by attending a special orientation program on 16 July 2012.
AIT welcomes its newest undergraduates One hundred and fourteen undergraduates from six countries (Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal) joined AIT ofďŹ cially at its Orientation held on 3 September 2012.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT President called on President of Nepal Rt. Hon. Dr. Ram Baran Yadav during a visit to Kathmandu.
Vietnam Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Ngo Duc Thang reviews AIT rebuilding work, meets Vietnamese community.
AIT is an undisputed pioneer in the field of education: Bhutan Minister Minister of Labor and Human Resources, Government of Bhutan, H.E. Mr. Dorji Wangdi described AIT as a “great seat of learning,” and an “undisputed pioneer in the field of education.”
‘Smart Province’ Nakhon Nayok partners with AIT AIT signed a MoU on 26 June 2012 with Nakhon Nayok Governor Dr. Surachai Srisaracam, supporting its bid to become Thailand’s first “smart province” and intelligent community prototype for the fast-emerging ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
International Women’s Day celebrated
AIT seminar presents lessons from the Thailand flood
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was “Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty.”
Experts presented their views at a seminar on “Lessons from the Thailand flood,” which was jointly organized by AIT and ASEAN Affairs in association with the Center for Advanced Infrastructure Technology, University of Mississippi.
Graduation Night by AIT Student Union “The Night of Stars” was the theme of the graduation night party.
Mini Olympics at AIT AIT Marathon and Mini Olympics were organized by the AIT Students Union in April 2012.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT students give to Thai orphanage AIT’s Student Union opened up its wallet and heart by donating 16,000 Thai Baht to a rural orphanage in Thailand run by the organization “Baan Unrak” or House of Joy.
Spirit of togetherness marks AIT Cultural Show 2012 The auditorium of AIT’s Conference Center, which was deluged in October 2011, became an arena where togetherness and internationality was on display during the AIT Cultural Show held on 21 April 2012.
AIT’s top talent draws interest at Career Fair 2012 SU Research Poster Showcase shines spotlight on AIT students’ work 20 research posters from AIT’s three Schools were displayed on 29 May 2012 showcasing students’ research work.
Professional recruiters from 31 enterprises set up booths across the expanse of the vacant ground floor of the library at the AIT Career Fair on 25 April 2012.
EVENTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT Returns Home Experts discussed about sustainability at the program “AIT Returns Home: Towards a Sustainable Future,” which was organized to mark AIT’s return to its home campus on 24 February 2012.
Adaptation Forum 2012 AIT and UNEP’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and Pacific (RRC.AP) were prominent partners in organizing Adaptation Forum 2012 at UN ESCAP headquarters in Bangkok on 12-13 March 2012.
Completion ceremony of Professional Master's in Banking and Finance Twenty-one students were awarded professional transcripts at the completion ceremony of the Professional Master’s In Banking and Finance (PMBF) program by AIT on 9 March 2012. Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Kazi Imtiaz Hossian graced the occasion.
NEW INITIATIVES
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT has always been known for its new initiatives. Despite the ood, AIT has continued to move ahead, be it dual doctoral programs, scholarships or its new Research Strategy. New AIT Research Strategy 2012-2016 will change AIT, VP Research assures
AIT launches its ďŹ rst dual doctoral program with Sokendai, Japan
iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle versions of AIT Newsletter launched
AIT unveils 40 annual Norwegian scholarships for Myanmar students
QR Codes for AIT launched
NEW INITIATIVES
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) signs MoU with AIT
AIT launches Bachelor’s program in Bio-systems Engineering and Environmental Engineering
Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) signed a MoU promote research and dissemination of remote sensing technology in the region.
AIT launched a four-year collaborative international Bachelor’s degree programs in Bio-systems Engineering and Environmental Engineering with SAITM, Sri Lanka.
Deal with China’s GESIE Tian He Center positions AIT inked a MoU with Guangdong Education Service of International Exchanges TianHe Center (GESIE) to establish a foothold for academic partnerships in Guangdong province.
AIT and CSR Asia renew partnership for ten more years Hong Kong based CSR Asia Ltd. and AIT extended their existing partnership for the next ten years.
NEW INITIATIVES
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT the hub for international effort to map Philippine flood from space As the Philippines struggled with devastating floods, Dr. Masahiko Nagai of AIT’s SET emerged as the focal point of an international effort to produce satellite imagery and high resolution maps to aid disaster relief operations.
SU welcomes you to Your AIT story “Familiar strangers” is how Ms. Wang Lin, a Master’s student at AIT describes a lot of AITians as she launched a weekly know your fellow AITians column titled “Your AIT story.”
Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology tie up Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) signed an MoU on 25 June 2012.
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Raipur ties up
Colorado State University and AIT to develop joint research program Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, USA and AIT signed an MoU on 10 August 2012.
CHARTER
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Government of Bangladesh ratifies the AIT Charter Bangladesh became the seventh country to ratify the new AIT Charter at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Bangladesh held at the capital city of Dakha on 2 January 2012.
Viet Nam joins AIT Council Viet Nam became the fifteenth signatory and the eighth country to ratify the AIT Charter. It became the first ASEAN country to ratify the Charter.
Cambodia joins AIT Council Cambodia deposited the Instrument of Acceptance to the AIT Charter with the Royal Thai Government on 3 September 2012 becoming the ninth country to do so.
PARTNER SUPPORT
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT's partners continued to support the Institute in the post-flood scenario. University of British Columbia hosts four AIT post-flood students Almost 300 such positions have been offered by various partner institutions to AIT students.
Télécoms Sans Frontière chief assures AIT of support, keen to continue partnership Eight AITians participated in an AIT training in September 2012.
FAO to strengthen engagement with AIT Mr. Hiroyuki Konuma FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific at AIT.
VISITORS/MEETINGS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Thailand Deputy PM Yongyuth and Justice Minister Pracha Promnok express support Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Hon. Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit expressed his full support for AIT in two separate meetings held on 9 December 2011 and 15 March 2012.
Timor Leste Ambassador assures help to AIT Ambassador of Timor Leste to Thailand, H.E. Mr. João Freistas de Câmara, visited AIT on 25 April 2012 and assured support for its capacity building in his country.
AIT is a Center of Excellence in many fields: Indonesian Ambassador Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Thailand, H. E. Mr. Lutfi Rauf complimented AIT during his visit to the Institute on 22 March 2012.
US Embassy official visits AIT, Myanmar outreach and LMI discussed Mr. Joseph Bagga-Taves, Thailand Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officer, Economic Section, U.S. Embassy, Bangkok discussed America’s Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) and outreach with Myanmar in a visit to AIT on 13 September 2012.
VISITORS/MEETINGS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Former Thai PM speaks at Plenary Session Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Hon. Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered the plenary speech at the conference “Changing Asia - Changing Governance: Governance Academy” on 25 April 2012.
Nakornnayok Governor courts AIT for creating a smart province Governor of Thailand’s province of Nakornnayok, Dr. Surachai Srisarakham offered 100 rai of land free of cost during a visit on 10 May 2012.
Japan Govt Scholarship Program to AIT contributes to regional development: Ambassador Kojima Ambassador of Japan to Thailand H.E. Mr. Seiji Kojima hosted a function to honor AIT’s Japanese Government Scholarship Recipients on 25 May 2012.
Social Business Symposium is a good effort by AIT: Prof. Muhammad Yunus Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus delivered the keynote address at the Social Business Symposium jointly organized by AIT on 8 May 2012.
VISITORS/MEETINGS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Sri Lankan President inquires about satellite center Sri Lanka President H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed interest on the status of AIT plans to open a branch campus in his country in a meeting with the AIT President on 31 May 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand.
German Ambassador assures support Ambassador of Germany to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Rolf Schulze visited the AIT temporary ofďŹ ce in Bangkok in the immediate aftermath of the ood.
Oman Minister at AIT H.E. Dr. Fuad Bin Jaafar Al-Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Sultanate of Oman, visited AIT on 30 May 2012 to explore collaboration in the areas of agriculture and aquaculture.
Kenya Ambassador visits AIT H.E. Dr. Richard Titus Ekai, Ambassador of Kenya to Thailand, visited AIT on 29 February 2012 to witness the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Multimedia University College (MMU) of Kenya.
HONORS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT students win BicyRobo Thailand Championship AIT’s “MECHA BIKE” team of Rewat Bunchan and Surachat Chantarachit won the first position at the 2nd annual BicyRobo Thailand Championship.
AIT student awarded IPCC grant Ms. Rizwana Subhani was one of the nine recipients of a grant from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Governor honors AIT President for exceptional leadership during the flood Prof. Said Irandoust was presented with a commemorative plaque by the Governor of Bangkok, Hon. M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra at the Fifth Save our Planet Conference organized on 5 January 2012.”
AIT professor featured in special 'COP' newsletter Prof. Sivanappan Kumar was featured in special COP Newsletter of the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) program.
AIT professor featured in Asian Water Prof. Chettiyappan Visvanathan was featured in the magazine ‘Asian Water’ in its four-page feature on Bangkok’s water problems.
HONORS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT President awarded for outstanding contribution to education AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust was honored at the First World Education Congress at Mumbai on 29 June 2012.
Dr. Teerapat selected member of Board of Governors of Thai Public Broadcasting Service Dr. Teerapat Sanguankotchakorn, has been selected as a member of Board of Governors of Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS).
AIT student Ashik Rajbhandari takes prize at 14th APNG Camp Presenting his research entitled “Topic - Geo Mapping of Disaster Information Using Ontology,” at 14th APNG Camp held in Seoul, South Korea, new PhD student Mr. AshikRajbhandari (RS/GIS), impressed the Asia Pacific Networking Group (APNG) community and was awarded the runner-up prize for best research presentation.
Our man in the UNDP Asia-Pacific Human Development Report 2012 Asst. Prof. Clemens Grunbuhel contributed thematic case studies on GangesBrahmaputra and Mekong River delta regions in the AsiaPacific Human Development Report 2012, published by the United Nations Development Programme.
AIT Researcher honored Dr. Alfredo Anceno was awarded the World Water Congress fellowship by the International Water Association (IWA).
BOOK RELEASES
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Despite immense pressure, relocation and post-flood trauma, AIT’s dedicated faculty continued to flourish producing research papers, publications and books.
AIT faculty’s book on groundwater released
AIT professor publishes book on air quality management Professor N. T. Kim Oanh published a book titled “Integrated air quality management: Asian case studies.” Published by the CRC Press (USA), it reports some of the major results of AIT research cooperation in Asia.
A book titled “Kathmandu Valley Groundwater Outlook”, edited by Dr. Sangam Shrestha was launched during the ‘Nepal National Water Week 2012’ celebrations on 22 March 2012.
Book by Dr. Sundar Venkatesh Dr. Sundar Venkatesh, Advisor, AIT Extension, published a book on “Fundamental Accounting Principles.” Pubished by McGraw Hill, the book covers both financial accounting and managerial accounting.
BOOK RELEASES
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Two books by Dr. Kyoko Kusabake AIT Associate Professor Kyoko Kusakabe has contributed mightily to the field of gender studies in Asia with the release of two scholarly publications that are destined to become required reading. A faculty member of the School of Environment, Resources and Development’s Gender and Development field of study, Assoc. Prof. Kusakabe recently co-authored one book titled “Thailand’s Hidden Workforce: Burmese Migrant Women Factory Workers” and edited another titled “Gender, Roads and Mobility in Asia.” Both works have received considerable favorable reviews from experts in academia, nongovernmental organizations and the media.
Book by Dr. Siddharth Jabade A book coauthored by Dr. Siddharth K. Jabade, AIT’s Director of Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights, has been released by CRC Press. Titled “Nanotechnology Intellectual Property Rights: Research, Design, and Commercialization,” the book dwells on the evolving patent landscape in Nanotechnology.
Book by Dr. Philippe Doneys A book titled “Mainstreaming Human Security: Asian Perspectives” edited by a team including Dr. Philippe Doneys of the Gender and Development Studies (GDS) field of study at AIT’s School of Environment Resources and Development (SERD) has been released.
ALUMNI
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn confers National Outstanding Person Award to Alumnus Prof. Wongwises Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as the Representative of His Majesty the King Bhumibol of Thailand, conferred the National Outstanding Person (Science and Technology) pin to Prof. Somchai Wongwises, an AIT alumnus.
Alumnus chosen best CFO in Thailand AIT alumnus Mr. Chaovalit Ekabut has been selected as the best Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Thailand.
AIT alumna made Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Education An alumna of AIT, Ms. Panita Kambhu Na Ayutthaya, has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Royal Thai Government.
AIT alumnus elected to public office in Australia Dr. Shahadat Chowdhury won the local government election in New South Wales (NSW), Australia He has been elected to the Parramatta City Council, and will serve for four years.
DONATIONS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
AIT received help from numerous friends after the flood. This is an overview of some of the donations.
Japan’s University of Yamanashi supports AIT with 1 million Yen The assistance was extended on 2 December 2011 by Prof. Futaba Kazama, Dr. Kei Nishida, and Dr. Takeshi Nakamura.
AITAA Japan Chapter hands over 2.6 million Yen in flood relief from alumni, former faculty and AIT friends in Japan Mr. Yoshiaki Shimura, President of AITAA Japan Chapter, handed over 2,660,000 Japanese Yen and 10,000 Baht.
NEF-CCN donates 300,000 Baht for AIT library Nepal Education Foundation-Consortium of Colleges (NEF-CCN) donated 300,000 Baht to AIT.
DONATIONS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
A mother’s gratitude to her son’s alma mater Among the touching stories in AIT’s postflood recovery was one on 18 July 2012, when Ms. Chomchai Morya, a proud mother of an AIT alumnus Mr. Kewin Morya (1998), arrived at the AIT campus with a 100,000 THB donation to help the Institute.
Tohoku University gifts 1 million Yen to AIT Prof. Hideki Harada and Prof. Tatsuo Omura handed over a donation of 1 million Yen on 25 February 2012.
EBARA donates 1 million Yen to AIT The donation was handed over by a delegation of EBARA Corporation comprising of Mr. Kiyoshi Hirono, Executive General Manager; Mr. Katsufumi Nakano, Managing Director; and Ms. Kornkanok Naprasertjkul, Administrative and Office Manager.
University of Borås students begin fund raising drive for AIT
AIT Alumni Affairs Office collects 9 million Baht
Students from University of Borås in Sweden launched a fundraising drive immediately after AIT was hit by floodwaters on 21 October 2011.
AIT Alumni Affairs Office has collected 9,101,445 Baht so far, courtesy of contributions from various individual alumni, alumni chapters, former faculty and staff, and friends of AIT.
OUTREACH/PROJECTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
World Bank aided training As part of a World Bank-funded project, AIT will train more than 400 personnel from Pakistan’s electric power distribution sector through a two-month intensive professional development program. Ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand, H.E. Mr. Sohail Mahmood, participated in the inaugural program on 29 April 2012.
Capacity building in Timor Leste Ambassador of Timor Leste, H.E. Mr. João Freistas de Câmara attended the opening ceremony of the University Foundation Program (UFP) under the Human Capital Development Fund (FDCH) program. 22 students arrived at AIT to participate.
Reinventing the Toilet Dr. Thammarat Koottatep received two projects from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, namely “Sustainable decentralized wastewater management in developing countries” and “Innovation on Sanitation.” The projects are worth THB 149,991,660 and THB 26,124,360 respectively.
OUTREACH/PROJECTS
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Post Flood Projects
Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh Successfully received a grant of THB 5,542,800 from U.S. Agency for International Development and National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the project “Assessment of impacts of the emission reduction measures of shortlived climate forcers on air quality and climate in South East Asia”
Dr. Sutat Weesakul Dr. Erik L.J. Bohez Received a research grant from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Thailand for the project “Optimal design of Turbine Geometry for small hydroelectric Power plant of PEA”.
Received a research grant of THB 6,297,196 from Team Consulting & Engineering Management Co.Ltd. The project is titled “Physical Hydraulic Model Study of Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Project Lao PDR”.
RECONSTRUCTION
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AIT Post-flood Activities and Achievements
Post-flood Reconstruction AIT International School
AIT Consulting
Renovated buildings of AIT International School and AIT Consulting.
AIT Auditorium Architect’s rendition of reconstruction plans for various AIT buildings.
AIT Library
AIT Lecture Theatre Produced by the Media and Communications Unit of the Asian Institute of Technology. mcu@ait.asia