By AIT Public Affairs
4 April, 2024 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (CSII) marked a historic collaboration on April 4, 2024, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for an International Unified Bachelor-Master’s Degree Program. The momentous ceremony, hosted at CSII, symbolizes a significant leap forward in fostering academic excellence and innovation.
Professor Nitin Kumar Tripathi,Vice President for Academic Affairs at AIT, along with Dr. Pietro Borsano, Deputy Executive Director for Industrial and Global Alliance at CSII, will be leading the initiative. The program will be available for students starting from August 2024 onwards.
Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, AIT President, expressed his gratitude and anticipation for the partnership, highlighting the alignment of goals and the mutual benefits of the collaboration. “We are embarking on a journey to not only enhance academic pursuits but also to develop a new generation of professionals equipped to navigate and lead in an ever-changing global landscape,” he added.
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Executive Director of CSII, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the collaboration in preparing students to become well-rounded global citizens. He described the partnership as one of “strategic cooperation”. “Our aim through this partnership is to nurture and develop students into a new generation of graduates, who are fully equipped to take on future challenges and lead fulfilling lives as global citizens,” said Professor Worsak.
The collaboration aims to promote short-term exchange programs and faculty exchanges, establish a master’s degree bridging program, and secure European funding for faculty and student exchanges, as well as transnational research funding.
The partnership agreement for the International Unified Bachelor’s – Master’s Degree Program establishes a robust framework for academic collaboration, facilitating the transition of CSII students into AIT’s master’s degree programs. This program offers a pathway for accelerated graduation, enabling students to become global leaders in science, engineering, and management. Admitted students will complete their undergraduate studies at CSII and continue with Master’s-level studies at AIT, with the entire program achievable within a five-year period, subject to fulfilling all required courses and credits at both institutions. Specifically, students will spend their first seven semesters at CSII and join AIT for the subsequent three semesters and one intersession term.
The Unified Program will be available to seventh-semester CSII students and recent graduates. Upon completion of the program, CSII students will receive a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Integrated Innovation (BAScii), while AIT will award Master’s degrees in seven disciplines including Data Science and AI, Internet of Things Systems Engineering, Medical Engineering, Business Analytics and Digital Transformation, Master of Business Administration, Urban Innovation and Sustainability, and Remote Sensing and GIS.
Furthermore, both institutions will encourage faculty secondments of one-semester duration, and will provide necessary support in terms of facilities, accommodation, visa, logistics, and joint educational promotion.
The signing ceremony was attended by AIT and CSII officials and faculty members. Dr. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Abdul Salam, Dean of the School of Environment, Resources, and Development; Ms. Chalita Lertwinyu, Director of the Office of Thailand Affairs; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of International Affairs, Office of International Public Affairs; Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director of Public Affairs, OIPA; Ms. Chotiros Mongkolchotirat, Director of the Office of the President; Mr. Arthur Lance Gonzales, Office of Special Degree Programs; Mr. Ranadheer Mandadi, Office of Special Degree Programs; and Ms. Nitjaree Wongluck from the Office of Thailand Affairs represented AIT at the event.
