By AIT Public Affairs
12 December 2024: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Chitralada Technology Institute (CDTI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on December 11, 2024, to establish joint ownership of intellectual property arising from a collaborative research project. The agreement was signed by Professor Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT, and Associate Professor Dr. Khunying Sumonta Promboon, President of CDTI.
The collaboration focuses on the doctoral research conducted by Assistant Professor Latchaporn Thamteerasathian, currently a faculty member of CDTI and pursuing her PhD at the Food Innovation, Nutrition and Health (FINH) Academic Program of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) under the direct supervision of Professor Dr. Anil Kumar Anal. Her doctoral dissertation, entitled “Evaluation of Vitamin D Metabolites in Laying Hen Diets to Improve Gut Health and to Enhance Vitamin D3 in Eggs,” was awarded a one-million Thai Baht grant by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) under its Research and Innovation funding scheme.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li remarked, “It is a pleasure to be here and to witness CDTIs commitment to technological education and societal advancement. While AIT primarily focuses on postgraduate studies and research, we share a common goal: empowering individuals through technology. I am impressed by CDTI’s study-work model, which effectively connects academia and industry—an essential approach in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape. I look forward to future collaborations.”
Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT (left), and Associate Professor Dr. Khunying Sumonta Promboon, President of CDTI.
Expressing gratitude for the strong partnership with AIT, Dr. Promboon stated, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collaboration as we recognize the shared intellectual property arising from our colleague’s PhD work. This represents our first tangible outcome together. I am also pleased to share that five of our graduates have joined AIT’s Master’s programs, with support from fellowships provided by the Royal Thai Government. Our ongoing exchanges, including visits and special lectures, demonstrate the strength of our partnership. I look forward to further collaborations that promote sustainability and contribute to creating a better world.”
The formulation used to enhance Vitamin D3 in hen eggs is both unique and innovative, making it eligible for intellectual property and copyright protection. Under the agreement, both AIT and CDTI hold equal ownership of the research outcomes; commercial benefits, including technology transfer and licensing, will be equally shared and will further focus on industrial application, aiming to develop vitamin D-enriched eggs and innovative animal feed solutions to benefit consumers and poultry farmers. This partnership highlights the commitment of both institutions to fostering impactful research with significant societal and industrial value.
From AIT the signing was attended by Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi, VPAA; Prof. P. Abdul Salam, Dean SERD; Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat, Head of Department SET; Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Department of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, SERD; Ms. Chalita Lertwinyu, Executive Director, OTA; Mr. Karma Rana, Institute Secretary; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director, International Affairs, OIPA; Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director, Public Affairs, OIPA and Ms. Nitjaree Wongluck, Administrative Officer, OTA. The delegates also had a tour of the institute and its facilities.
