By Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA)
On 20 March 2025, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted a high-level delegation from Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL, led by Dr. Carl Chen, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), for a productive dialogue aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between AIT and Delta Electronics. The visit provided a platform to review ongoing initiatives and explore innovative collaborative opportunities in education, research, and technology, reinforcing the commitment of both institutions to advancing innovation and industry-relevant solutions in the region.
Established in 1988, Delta Electronics (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of Delta Electronics, Inc., with the mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow.” Delta Thailand is a crucial manufacturing hub for global customers including major tech and automotive corporations. It also serves as the regional business headquarters for Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li extended his warm appreciation to Delta Electronics for its continued engagement and commitment to fostering academia-industry collaborations. He underscored AIT’s commitment to strengthening ties with industry leaders like Delta Electronics for advancing research and development. He emphasized exploring novel partnership models such as the “1+1” Master’s program, addressing evolving academia-industry needs with forward-thinking solutions.
Dr. Carl Chen, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), of Delta Electronics (Thailand), provided an insightful overview of Delta Electronics’ global footprint and its Thailand subsidiary, a publicly listed entity since 1988. He detailed Delta’s leadership in power electronics, electric vehicles, industrial automation, and energy infrastructure, with a rapidly growing workforce. Mr. Chen emphasized Delta’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, spotlighting its R&D expansion plans in Thailand—from 319 team members in 2024 to approx. 1,000 by 2028—and its focus on cultivating local talent as the backbone of its operations.
The discussion centered on three key areas:
- The establishment of the Delta Industrial Automation Lab at AIT through Delta’s in-kind donation of state-of-the-art lab equipment while ensuring optimal equipment utilization and integration into academic programs.
- A specialized 1+1 Master’s Program where students spend their first year at AIT and their second year in a Top-tier Taiwan University, including an internship at Delta Taiwan, with a guaranteed job placement at Delta Thailand upon completion.
- Paid Internship Opportunities for AIT Master’s students, enhancing their exposure to real-world industry applications and strengthening their career prospects.
Following the discussion, the Delta Electronics delegation visited AIT’s laboratories, including the Mechatronics and Automation Lab, the AI and Simulation Lab, and the Advanced Robotics Lab. These visits provided first-hand insights into AIT’s research capabilities and potential areas for deeper engagement with Delta Electronics.
Attendees from Delta Electronics included Mr. Siraphob Meenamphant, Government and Public Affairs; Mr. Amit Kumar Dubey (Sunny), Manager – Recruitment & Staffing, SEA; and Mr. Khajorn Wongfad, Talent Acquisition Sr. Specialist, SEA-HR. Representing AIT were Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, Vice President for Academic and Research (VPAR); Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Executive Director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA); Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat, Associate Professor and Head of Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Dr. Branesh M. Pillai, Assistant Professor, ISE; Dr. Chaklam Silpasuwanchai, Assistant Professor, CSIM, Mr. Hoang Hung Manh, Research Specialist, ISE; Ms. Lucena D. Talaid, Senior Alumni Affairs Officer and Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Advancement Officer, OAAA.
