At its meeting held on 29 January 2026, the Board of Trustees of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) approved the appointment of Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum as Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Board also approved the appointment of new Trustees, strengthening its governance and strategic leadership.
Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum, Chairperson of the Executive Committee
Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum brings extensive leadership experience in the power and energy sector, energy innovation, and strategic business management. She previously served as President of the Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO) and held several senior leadership positions at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), including Acting Governor, Deputy Governor (Power Business and Strategy), and Spokesperson. Dr. Jiraporn holds a Ph.D. in Industrial
Engineering and Management, and a Master’s degree in Energy Planning and Policy from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Khon Kaen University. She has also completed advanced executive training programs in Thailand and internationally.
Dr. Jiraporn is a Trustee and currently also serves as the President of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) – Thailand Chapter.
New Trustees
Mr. Lee Pit Teong, Chairman, iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd.
Mr. Lee Pit Teong is a Bangkok-based entrepreneur, education advocate, and distinguished AIT alumnus. He earned a Master’s degree in Engineering (Water Resources Engineering) from AIT in 1974. He is the Founder and Chairman of iGroup (Asia Pacific) Ltd., a leading multinational provider of research information resources, digital content, library technologies, and academic integrity solutions serving universities and research institutions across the Asia-Pacific
region. He is also the founder of Mongo STEEMS and the Water Library Restaurant Group, one of Bangkok’s most respected hospitality brands. Mr. Lee has maintained a long-standing relationship with AIT as an alumnus, benefactor, and governance contributor. He served as a Member of the Executive Committee from 2016 to 2022 and has supported AIT through scholarships, in-kind contributions to academic and library resources, and assistance to the AIT International School (AITIS) in strengthening digital learning initiatives.
Aside from being appointed as a Trustee, Mr. Lee will also serve on the Executive Committee of the Board under the Trustee category.
Dr. Nalinee Taveesin, Co-Chairperson of the ICAPP Business Council and Former President of Thailand Trade Representatives
Dr. Nalinee Taveesin is a prominent leader in public policy, international relations, and economic diplomacy. She currently serves as Co-Chairperson of the ICAPP Business Council, Vice Chairperson of the Asia Europe Political Forum, Standing Committee Member of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Namibia in Thailand. Her distinguished career includes service as Advisor to the Prime Minister, President of Thailand Trade Representatives, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator, and Associate Judge at the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.
She has also served on numerous national committees related to economic policy, trade, tourism, halal industry development, fisheries reform, and national defense. Dr. Nalinee holds a Ph.D. in Communication from Regent University (USA), a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She is a graduate of the National Defence College of Thailand and the Capital Market Academy Leadership Program. Her contributions have been recognized through several Royal Thai decorations and international honors, including the Order of the Star of Italy.
Dr. Sorapop Kiatpongsan, Director, MIT Management ASEAN Office
Dr. Sorapop Kiatpongsan is a physician-scientist and innovation leader with expertise in medicine, life sciences, health policy, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building. He currently serves as Director of the MIT Management ASEAN Office, Visiting Professor at Sasin School of Management, and Health and Public Sector Lead at Accenture.
Previously, Dr. Sorapop served as Assistant President for Research and Innovation at Chulalongkorn University, Managing Director of the Institute of Public Policy and
Development and Director of Innovation Ventures at Bumrungrad International Hospital. He advises government agencies, international organizations, and private sector entities on innovation and strategic partnerships. He holds a Doctor of Medicine (First Class Honors) from Chulalongkorn University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and completed postdoctoral training in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. His work has been featured in leading global platforms, including Harvard Business Review, The Economist, TED, and publications of the United Nations Population Fund.
New Members of the Executive Committee
Prof. Rajat Moona, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, India (IITGN)
Prof Rajat Moona is currently heading IIT Gandhinagar as Director. Before joining IIT Gandhinagar, he had served as Director of IIT Bhilai and Director General of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). He is also a faculty member in the department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur. He, along with his students and colleagues, has authored 18 patents, several research papers and books. Prof Moona holds a BTech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur (1981-1985) and a PhD in Computer Science
from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore (1985-1989). His research area spans over embedded computing, computer security, VLSI design and Operating Systems.
He had been instrumental in defining some of the key applications for the country, such as smart card driving license, vehicle registration, e-passport, electronic toll collection, mobility card, etc. Prof Moona is an active member of the technical committee of the Election Commission of India for EVMs and has been instrumental in defining the EVMs and VVPAT. He has also contributed in defining the national voter service portal and national electoral search for voters. Prof Moona is the recipient of several awards and recognitions, including Indo-US Science and Technology Fellowship, Poonam and Prabhu Goel Chair Professorship, VASVIK Award for the year 2010, IESA Techno-visionary Award 2014, Fellowship of Maharashtra Academy of Sciences 2015, National award of Election Commission of India 2016 for the best electoral practices, and most recently, a Special Award for IT Initiatives by the Election Commission of India in 2022.
Dr. Thanaphol Virasa, Associate Professor in Management, College of Management, Mahidol University, Thailand
Dr. Virasa is Associate Professor in the College of Management at Mahidol University, Thailand. He graduated in Economics from Thammasat University, earned a M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management, and received his Ph.D. in Management of Technology from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Dr. Virasa administrates faculty and student research and conducts the College-wide research projects. He participated as a project manager of the Thailand
team in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2005-2007 research project, led by Babson College and London Business School.
He teaches Master of Management courses in management of technology and innovation, foundation of new ventures, and research methodology and thesis seminars. His articles have appeared in refereed journals, including the International Journal of Technoentrepreneurship, Journal of Technology Innovation and the Journal of High Technology Management Research. His research areas are on firms’ dynamic capabilities and innovation system and science, technology and innovation policy in developing countries.
Dr. Virasa gained his business experience in dealership management at the Siam Cement Plc. and in business development from the state-owned Krungthai Bank. He joined the Thailand Development Research Institute and National Science and Technology Development Agency as a policy researcher. Currently, he serves on several strategic planning working committees, including the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, National Center of Nanotechnology, and Mahidol University. He also serves on several government policy research projects including Ministry of Science and Technology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, National Innovation Agency, Thailand Research Fund, and the Office of SMEs Promotion as a project manager and a research consultant of World Bank.
Dr. Worawej Onmon, Lecturer and Researcher of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Suan Dusit University, Thailand
Dr. Worawej Onnom is a Lecturer and Researcher in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Suan Dusit University, with extensive experience in academic leadership, research, and public service. He holds a Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), a Master’s degree in Geography from Chulalongkorn University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Thammasat University.
Dr. Worawej has held several senior administrative roles, including Director of the Center for Human Capital Development and Director of the Suphanburi Campus at Suan
Dusit University, and has served on the University Executive Committee for over a decade. An active AIT alumnus, he was President of the AIT Student Union and later served as Executive Secretary of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA). His academic and applied work focuses on GIS, livable city assessment, tourism and historical geography, urban and regional planning, and community-based sustainable development.
In recognition of his contributions to rural and community development, he received the Distinguished AIT Alumni Award in 2024.
