By Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA)
November 22-23, 2024: The AITAA Lao Chapter hosted the 53rd Asian Institute of Technology Alumni Association Governing Board Meeting (AITAA-GBM) held at the Soutsaka Institute of Technology in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This event brought together 54 official delegates and 26 observers from 20 chapters worldwide. Delegates from 17 chapters attended in person, contributing to dynamic discussions and collaboration. Delegates from Canada, China, New Zealand, and Pakistan Chapters joined virtually, ensuring a truly global representation. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Enhancing Connectivity and Strengthening Partnerships”, focusing on fostering collaborations among AIT alumni, institutions, and industries to drive innovation and sustainable growth. The GBM on 23 November was successfully completed, featuring Chapter Reports, Discussions, Resolutions, and an engaging Panel Discussion.
Day 1: 22 November 2024 – Meeting at Soutsaka Institute of Technology (SiT)
Prof. Pai-Chi Li, AIT President together with Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA); Mr. Karma Rana, Institute Secretary, Ms. Chotiros Mongkolchotirat, Director and Executive Secretary to the President had a meeting with SIT: Mr. Soutsaka Bounmanit, Founder of SiT; Mrs. Vanhkham Souligna, Director General of SiT (and AIT alumnus 2002); Mrs. Khankeo Moonvong, Director of SiT International
Mr. Soutsaaka Bounmanit, an AIT alumnus (SOM 2001), founded the School of Information Technology (SiT) in 2020, which is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR. From its initial intake of 20 students, SiT has grown significantly, now enrolling 1,800 students in bachelor-level programs such as computer science, business and economics, administration, finance, information technology, and communication arts. The institution operates under the principle of “maximum education for maximum people” in Laos, emphasizing affordable tuition over profit maximization, with all revenues reinvested into the school. SiT has established strategic partnerships with Shih Chien University in Taiwan and the Reactor School in Singapore.
Prof. Li highlighted the potential for expanding AIT’s reach, referencing the AIT Center in Vietnam’s (AITCV) plans to transition into a full-fledged university. He suggested that a similar hub strategy could be explored for Laos, inviting ideas and proposals. While cautioning that undergraduate programs must be carefully considered, the President noted the possibility of leveraging AIT’s unified bachelor’s-master’s programs for collaboration with SiT. The AIT delegation also proposed submitting joint proposals to international funding agencies, donors, and private sector partners, focusing on aligned fields such as Data Science and AI, Business Analytics and Digital Transformation (BADT), and Banking and Finance. This collaboration could enable SiT graduates to pursue master’s programs at AIT, fostering academic and professional growth in key areas.
22 November 2024 – AITAA Governing Board Meeting (GBM) Welcome Dinner
During the welcome dinner, Prof. Li expressed his gratitude to the Lao Chapter for hosting this year’s AITAA GBM and extended his appreciation to the alumni delegates who traveled from various countries to attend. He emphasized the importance of the event and conveyed his enthusiasm about engaging with the alumni network. Prof. Li also highlighted his anticipation for meaningful discussions and a productive GBM that would strengthen ties within the AIT community.
Day 2: 23 November 2024 – 53rd AITAA Governing Board Meeting (GBM)
Following the welcome address and formal opening by the AITAA Lao Chapter President Mr. Somphone Sisenglath and President of the AITAA Chapter Dr. Donald Manaytay Ugsang, AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li delivered his message and highlighted the following:
Professor Li expressed heartfelt thanks to Dr. Donald and the Laos chapter for hosting this gathering, and to all delegates from various countries. Your participation demonstrates the strength and collective asset that AIT represents. Established 65 years ago, AIT has been instrumental in supporting the development of countries across the region. As the region evolves, with many nations now attaining high-income status, AIT must adapt to these rapid changes. A key aspect of AIT’s mission is its commitment to sustainable development, addressing challenges such as climate change, promoting social diversity, and creating opportunities for future generations. This enables AIT to remain relevant not only to developing nations but also to middle- and high-income countries. Another focus area is digital transformation, which ties closely to AIT’s mission to nurture entrepreneurs and leaders for the future. To sustain these initiatives, AIT recognizes the need for adequate resources and must move beyond a tuition-based financial model. Partnerships with private sector entities and other collaborators will play a crucial role in this evolution. Looking ahead, AIT will celebrate its platinum jubilee in 2029. In preparation, we plan to launch a five-year fundraising campaign starting in 2029. This campaign will encompass a wide range of initiatives, including scholarships, endowed chairs, and campus facility upgrades. The hope is to work collaboratively as a team to achieve these ambitious goals and secure AIT’s future as a leading institution in the region.
Following this, Dr. Anat Arbhabhirama, Chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees, delivered a video message to the gathering (available at the below link:):
Dr. Anat addressed the 53rd AITAA Governing Board Meeting with gratitude to the Lao Chapter for hosting and acknowledged AITAA’s growth into a global alumni network of nearly 27,000 members. He highlighted the relevance of the GBM theme, “Enhancing Connectivity and Strengthening Partnerships,” and emphasized the pivotal role of AIT’s new President, Professor Pai-Chi Li, in fostering sustainable growth and international collaboration. Dr. Anat reflected on last year’s GBM and the Board’s commitment to aligning AIT’s initiatives with the evolving higher education landscape and global shifts, leveraging AIT’s neutrality and focus on education as key assets. He referenced Prof. Li’s AIT Blueprint Retreat as a strategic step in implementing actionable goals and urged the alumni to continue their invaluable support, reinforcing AIT’s role as a bridge for global collaboration.
Panel Discussion on “Innovating Engagement: The Future of Alumni Connectivity Through Technology”
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA), participated in the panel discussion, along with other panel members Dr. Supattana Nirukkanaporn, Business Officer and Loyalty Program Chair and Vice President of the AITAA Thailand Chapter; Mr. Le Thanh Quyen, AITAA Vietnam Chapter President’ and Mr. Susanto Halim, from the AITAA Singapore Chapter. Mr. Phongsavanh Phomkong (SOM alumnus 2001) and Laos Country Head. IFC – International Finance Corporation(IFC) moderated the session.
During the discussion, Mr. Sanjeev highlighted AIT’s strategic initiatives in resource mobilization through a targeted two-year campaign from January 2023 to December 2025, with a focus on renovating student dormitories. He emphasized the company-sponsored scholarships and industry-specific collaborations with alumni-owned businesses both in Thailand and overseas, through the joint coordination of AIT OAAA, AITAA, and National Chapters. Additionally, he underscored the importance of enhancing alumni engagement, particularly with recent graduates, through initiatives such as industry-specific webinars, Alumni-in-Residence Programs, and mentoring programs.
23 November 2024 – 53rd AITAA Governing Board Meeting (GBM) Gala Dinner
Prof. Li extended his heartfelt gratitude to all the delegates for their active participation and the valuable insights shared during the deliberations. He acknowledged the alumni’s unwavering support for their alma mater and its continued growth. As part of the proceedings, Prof. Li also present the 2024 AITAA Distinguished Alumni Awards to this year’s recipients, celebrating their outstanding achievements and contributions to the AIT community and beyond.
Also attended the AITAA Governing Board Meeting, as part of the AIT delegation were: Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Advancement Officer, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA); Ms. Lucena Dante Talaid, Senior Alumni Affairs Officer, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA).
