The Asian Institute of Technology expresses its heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Professor Dr. Za-Chieh Moh on March 16, 2024.
Dr. Moh was a dear friend and pillar of AIT for nearly 60 years. He served as Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the SEATO Graduate School from 1965 to 1967 and as Professor and Chairman of the Division of Geotechnical Engineering at AIT from 1967 to 1974. Subsequently, Dr. Moh served as Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, and as Vice President and Provost at AIT from 1974 to 1976. He was a member of the AIT Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2023, at which time he was also appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board. Most recently he served as Advisor to the Board-appointed Presidential Search Committee (PSC).
Dr. Moh belongs to that rare cohort of men who combine intense enthusiasm with good intelligence and an infinite capacity for hard work and is one of the AIT School of Engineering pillars in the field of Geotechnical Engineering. The program became one of the first in Southeast Asia and remains a world-renowned leader in graduate and research geotechnical engineering. His vision and leadership also led to the establishment of the Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society (SEAGS) in 1967, serving as its Founding President and further solidifying AIT’s reputation in the field. He made tremendous contributions to the development of the profession of geotechnical engineering, not only in Asia but also by engendering close cooperation among other geographic regions in the entire geotechnical community.
Dr. Moh’s contributions to the Institute extended far beyond his academic achievements. He also helped engage AIT with Moh and Associates, Inc. (MAA), which he founded and has become a formidable engineering consulting firm in the region. Through AIT’s engagement with MAA, his impact on AIT and the region was immense.
Dr. Moh served as the Vice-President for Asia of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (ISSMFE) from 1973 to 1977. Additionally, he has served as a panelist, general reporter, and session chairman at many international and regional conferences. Dr. Za-Chieh Moh has received several awards and honors. He is listed in the International Scholars Directory, American Men and Women of Science, the Directory of Selected Scholars and Researchers in Southeast Asia, and in 5,000 Personalities of the World.
Dr. Moh’s passing leaves a profound void. AIT has lost a dear friend and a towering figure in its history. We extend our deepest condolences and honor his memory.
