By Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs
On November 28, 2024, a formal donation agreement was signed between AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li and Ms. Ai Lee Loh, an AIT alumni who graduated with a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering and Construction in 1981, who contributed THB 200,000 towards the refurbishment of a single-unit student dormitory in Dorm F48. The donation signing ceremony was attended by Emeritus Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (former AIT President). This signing ceremony underscores AIT’s ongoing efforts to improve students’ living environments, ensuring they have a comfortable and conducive space to focus on their academic pursuits.
Ms. Ai Lee Loh is a qualified Chartered Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineers in Malaysia and Australia. She has over four decades of experience working with numerous International Consultants, Contractors, and Railway Asset Owners / Operators in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and more.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li extended his warm gratitude to Ms. Ai Lee and expressed appreciation for her impressive career, particularly her involvement in major infrastructure projects in the countries she has worked in, which have had a significant impact on the general public both directly and indirectly. He stated that he was delighted to see an alumni’s commitment to enhancing the living standards for AIT students, reinforcing the strong bond alumni share with their alma mater.
Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, welcomed Ms. Ai Lee Loh and Emeritus Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai back to AIT. He extended his appreciation to Ms. Ai Lee for her donation towards the renovation of the student dormitory, noting its importance in providing students with a comfortable, safe, and supportive living environment. He also acknowledged her past contribution to the modernization of the AIT Library during Prof. Worsak’s tenure as AIT President, which has been instrumental in creating a state-of-the-art learning space and providing improved facilities for research and study at AIT.
Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET), also expressed his gratitude to Ms. Ai Lee for her kind support. He highlighted the growth of the Structural Engineering program at AIT, with over 65 students currently enrolled, including 25 who joined in August 2024—one of the largest intakes among SET programs. He pointed out that alumni contributions like Ms. Ai Lee’s have been instrumental in shaping the program’s success. He also mentioned exploring potential collaboration opportunities between AIT and Ms. Ai Lee’s projects in terms of internships and research opportunities.
Ms. Ai Lee Loh expressed that she feels honored for the opportunity to contribute to her alma mater, and she proudly identifies herself as an AITian wherever she goes, despite graduating 40 years ago. She stated that she feels deeply indebted to AIT, acknowledging the significant role the institute has played in shaping her career and personal growth. Ms. Ai Lee thanked Mr. Sanjeev for introducing her to the student dormitory refurbishment campaign, and she fondly recalled her time living in the AIT student dormitory. She acknowledges the importance of providing current students with better facilities, such as air conditioning, to ensure they can rest well and perform at their best academically. She reaffirmed her commitment to contributing to AIT in any way possible and thanked everyone for their time and efforts in making the donation possible.
Emeritus Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, expressed his pleasure in seeing alumni who graduated four decades ago, still dedicated to AIT. He commended Mr. Sanjeev for initiating and facilitating the donation, emphasizing the enduring bond between AIT and its alumni. He conveyed his thanks to Ms. Ai Lee for her contributions to AIT, both in the past and moving forward.
Also present at the ceremony were Prof. Siddharth Jabade, Vice Chancellor, Vishwakarma University, India; Ms. Lucena D. Talaid, Senior Alumni Affairs Officer; and Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Advancement Officer, from the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, AIT.
