By Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA)
29 May 2024: Mr. Pote Narittakurn Lee, Chairman of iGroup (Asia-Pacific) Limited and a distinguished alumnus of the AIT, has made a significant in-kind donation valued at USD 19,950 (THB 758,100) to the AIT library. This contribution grants perpetual access to 1,345 Business Expert Press eBooks, available via the IG Publishing eBook platform, covering publications from 2010 to 2024. These resources are ideal for postgraduate business courses and will greatly enhance the academic environment at AIT.
The official donation agreement was signed by Mr. Lee and AIT President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto during a ceremony held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
The iGroup (Asia Pacific) Limited is a Hong Kong-registered multinational organization with offices spanning over 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region with a total workforce of over 1,500. The company aims to be a one-stop station for information products and library technologies.
Mr. Lee, who graduated from AIT in 1974 with a Master’s in Engineering in Water Resources Engineering, emphasized the importance of transparency and respect—core values of his company as essential traits to be instilled in students from a young age. He further stated that these values were gained during his time at AIT and also expressed his belief that this donation of Business Expert Press eBooks would enhance the employability skills of students, reflecting these values.
President Yamamoto conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Lee, recognizing his visionary leadership and commitment to education. He highlighted that this contribution aligns with AIT’s dual focus on leadership and skill development, serving as a crucial enabler for both. The AIT Library is honored to receive this valuable collection and looks forward to its positive impact on future generations of learners. He also commended Mr. Lee’s broader mission to empower various age groups through the Wisdom Academy, which promotes lifelong learning and purpose. AIT is grateful for Mr. Lee’s generosity and his dedication to supporting the institute’s mission.
Mr. Russell Bruce Rein, Vice President for Administration at AIT, expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Lee for his continuous support. He noted the potential of the donated eBooks to enrich the curriculum. He also praised the ongoing collaboration between AIT International School (AITIS) and iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd. This partnership aims to implement innovative digital platforms like the BSD (Build Something Different) coding platform.
Professor Nitin K. Tripathi, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, joined in expressing gratitude to Mr. Lee. He acknowledged the significant impact the donation will have on student access to valuable resources within the AIT Library and welcomed Mr. Lee’s ideas and recommendations for further enhancing the library’s accessibility, aligning with his vision of an open and accessible learning environment for everyone.
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, also expressed sincere thanks to Mr. Lee. He acknowledged Mr. Lee’s previous contributions to AIT, including the 2015 modernization of the AIT library with RFID Library Technology System, Institutional Repository (IR), Smart Modified Classroom, and providing scholarships for master students, as well as innumerable in-kind contributions, and highlighted the enduring support Mr. Lee has shown towards AIT and the well-being of its students.
The signing ceremony was also graced by the presence of distinguished guests: Mr. Tristan Barter, Consultant, iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd., Mr. Julian Charles Warden, General Manager, mangoSTEEMS, Mr. Yoshiyuki Yoshizawa, General Manager, iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd., Mr. Kittipat Chaleysub, Manager, mangoSTEEMS, Mr. Karma Rana, Institute Secretary, AIT and Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Adavancement Officer, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, AIT.
