In a time when the boundaries of learning are being redefined, the School of Engineering and Technology at AIT is leading a powerful shift, by extending its mentorship, knowledge, and networks to young engineers beyond its own campus. Through student-led initiatives and a culture rooted in shared responsibility, AIT is nurturing the next generation of structural engineers not only from within its classrooms but from universities across Southeast Asia.
For many undergraduate students across the region, engineering is often a subject of equations and simulations. But through AIT’s outreach- including hands-on learning programs, mentorship by graduate students, and access to real-world structural challenges: young minds are finding real opportunities to learn, build, and grow into professionals.
The Seismic Platform That Shakes Ideas into Action
Among the most impactful platforms AIT has created is the Seismic Performance of Building Model competition, a student-led, internationally recognized challenge where civil engineering students from different universities design and test scaled models of earthquake-resilient buildings on a seismic shake table. Now in its third edition, this competition not only fosters innovation but serves as a key channel for identifying and nurturing talent from across the region.
The event has grown into more than a contest-it is a regional gathering of aspiring engineers, mentors, and professionals committed to strengthening communities through structural resilience. Participants gain exposure to experimental testing, structural modeling, team dynamics, and international collaboration- all under the mentorship of AIT graduate students and faculty.
From Classroom Curiosity to Professional Confidence
One such story is that of Ms. Kyi Phyu Sin, a civil engineering student from Rangsit University, Thailand. Originally from the small coastal island of Mergui, Myanmar- a region prone to seismic activity, she joined a team that participated in the seismic competition and was mentored throughout the process by AIT students.
“Back home, earthquakes are part of daily life,” Ms. Kyi explains. “Being part of this program taught me how engineering can be life changing. I learned more in those few weeks than I had in years.”
With guidance from AIT’s Structural Engineering Forum, her team’s project went on to win top honors. More importantly, she emerged from the experience with tangible skills in structural behavior, report writing, and public presentation- assets that quickly became stepping stones in her young career.
The Power of Mentorship and Connection
What makes AIT’s approach unique is not just the technical training it offers, but the culture of mentorship. AIT students and faculty regularly engage with undergraduates from other universities, offering support in design, documentation, and professional presentation-not for credit or reward, but as a moral duty to uplift others.
“People like Ms. Shin Thant and Mr. Lin Htin from the Structural Engineering program of AIT made sure we weren’t just completing a task,” Ms. Kyi shares. “They taught us how to think, how to collaborate, and how to carry ourselves as future engineers.”
Building Pathways to Careers
This support doesn’t end at the competition. Many students mentored through AIT’s initiatives have gone on to secure meaningful internships, research placements, and even scholarships for higher education. Ms. Kyi, for instance, is now interning at Civil Master Solutions Company Limited, contributing to projects involving pre-engineered buildings and industrial flooring.
“When I went in for my internship interview, I was able to speak confidently — not just about theory, but about experience,” she says. “That made all the difference.”
A Platform That Lifts Others
AIT’s student-led programs are becoming an informal but powerful platform – one that helps undergraduates from various institutions gain visibility, refine their ideas, and build lasting networks. In doing so, AIT is not just teaching engineering – it is actively shaping the ecosystem in which young engineers thrive.
By mentoring peers, providing access to real-world tools, and fostering a spirit of inclusion, AIT is giving back to the region in the most sustainable way: by investing in its people.
“It’s not just about helping someone finish a project,” says Mr. Ashish Srivastava, senior PhD Student and one of AIT student mentors. “It’s about preparing them for what comes after- interviews, collaborations, leadership roles, and further studies.”
From One Student to Another
Ms. Kyi’s message to fellow students is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And when you get it – use it, grow from it, and pass it on. That’s how we all rise.”
Her story is one of many – living proof that with the right guidance, support, and opportunity, potential can be transformed into purpose. And that transformation, AIT believes, should not be limited by institutional boundaries. As the world faces increasingly complex structural and environmental challenges, AIT’s quiet but powerful efforts to uplift and empower the next generation of engineers stand as a model for institutions everywhere. By extending its resources beyond its own campus, AIT is not just educating students, it is building a resilient, inclusive, and globally connected engineering community.
In supporting students from other universities, AIT’s own students are not only sharing knowledge but also evolving as mentors, leaders and global citizens. This dual journey of teaching and learning strengthens the academic fabric of the region, also proving that when students lift others, they rise too.
