Office of Communications and Public Affairs
23 March 2026 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sorbe Advanced Materials Co., Ltd., a Thailand-based company specializing in advanced materials innovation, to strengthen collaboration in research, development, and innovation.
Signed on 20 March 2026, the agreement lays the foundation for cooperation between AIT and Sorbe in establishing Sorbe’s Research and Development Center at the AIT BOI Science and Technology Park (AIT BOI-STP), located in Zone 1 of the AIT campus. It also opens opportunities for collaboration in advanced materials technologies, academic exchange, entrepreneurship, and professional development.
The partnership supports the broader vision of AIT’s Board of Investment (BOI)-approved Science and Technology Park, established in 2023 to promote research-driven innovation and stronger industry engagement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li welcomed the partnership and said AIT’s teaching and research strengths would help support Sorbe’s vision. He also highlighted the value of Sorbe’s engagement with students and noted that the collaboration contributes to the AIT BOI Science and Technology Park’s broader goals. He expressed hope for a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership.
Mr. Puneet Kabra, Director of Sorbe Advanced Materials Co., Ltd., thanked AIT for the opportunity to collaborate. He said that through many constructive discussions, both sides had developed a strong understanding of how AIT could support Sorbe’s goals. He added that Sorbe views the partnership as a long-term engagement focused on meaningful collaboration in research, development, and broader industrial applications.
Under the MoU, AIT and Sorbe will collaborate in several areas. These include translational research, product development, joint intellectual property creation, knowledge transfer, and technology commercialization. Both sides will also work together on training courses, seminars, webinars, internships, and expert exchanges. The collaboration is expected to create valuable opportunities for AIT students through internship placements at Sorbe and participation in career-related activities.
The partnership will also extend to business development and innovation support. AIT and Sorbe plan to jointly mentor and incubate student- and faculty-led startups, while also exploring partnerships with other organizations to promote innovation at local and regional levels. In addition, both parties aim to pursue grants and other resources together and help bring promising projects, startups, and companies to relevant markets.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from both organizations. From Sorbe, attendees included Mr. Karan Kabra, Director of Sorbe Biotechnology India, and Ms. Yenita Gunawan, Vice President for Marketing and Strategy at Auxilia Technologies Thai Co. Ltd. From AIT, attendees included Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development; Dr. Branesh Madhavan Pillai, Assistant Professor in Industrial Systems Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology (FAST); Ms. Jennifer Pangilinan, Manager of the AIT Entrepreneurship Center and BOI STP Coordination Office; Ms. Jiraporn Kudeerak from the BOI STP Coordination Office; Dr. Indra Kumari, Coordinator, Office of International Affairs and Mr. Bhaskaran Jacob, Senior Advancement Officer, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs.
