5 August 2022 – The Board of Trustees of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has approved the appointment of Professor Kazuo Yamamoto as the AIT Interim President, effective 1 September 2022.
The Chairman of the Board Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp while congratulating Professor Yamamoto on his appointment, thanked him for accepting to take on this important position during the transition period, and assurances provided to work towards making AIT financially sustainable and on the transformation process. Dr. Tongchat noted that it is very important to ensure a smooth transition that further consolidates and builds upon the work carried out by AIT President Dr. Eden Woon.
Professor Yamamoto has served AIT in various capacities starting as a former Japanese seconded faculty, and also as the AIT Vice President for Resource Development and Vice President for Administration on a joint appointment with the University of Tokyo and is very familiar with the Institute. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo, Professor for Research and Development Initiative at Chuo University, Visiting Professor at Kindai University, and is currently serving as the President of the Zosui (Water Reuse) Promotion Center in Japan and Audit & Supervisory Board Member of IDEA Consultants Inc. Professor Yamamoto was awarded the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2020 for his pioneering work in developing the submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR). He has authored and co-authored 20 books and more than 130 scientific publications and was conferred 12 awards from international institutions including the European Desalination Society, the Japan Society on Water Environment, and the International Water Association, primarily for his notable invention of the world’s first operationally viable submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR).
AIT extends a warm welcome to Professor Yamamoto and wishes him the very best.
