By Office of Communications and Public Affairs
26 August 2026 — The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) welcomed Mr. Felix Wagenfeld, Director of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Regional Office in Hanoi on 25 August 2026. The visit focused on opportunities to strengthen academic cooperation, research collaboration, student and faculty mobility, and partnerships between AIT and German universities.
Mr Felix was accompanied by Ms. Issaraporn Kittiwisit, Study Consultant, Marketing and Media Management and Ms. Prakaikaew Thongtawepol, Study Consultant, Finance and Office Management at the DAAD Information Centre Bangkok.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT, highlighted the longstanding relationship between AIT and DAAD since 2007, particularly the DAAD-AIT scholarship programs that have supported AIT students over many years.
Prof. Li also spoke about AIT’s growing international engagement and its research strengths in areas such as climate change and adaptation, water, food and agriculture, and aquaculture. While AIT remains strongly focused on Asia, he noted that the Institute is also expanding its engagement with other regions, including Africa. “I hope our efforts can align with DAAD and its global development priorities. Together, we can continue to broaden and deepen our partnership,” Prof. Li said.
Mr. Wagenfeld thanked AIT for the warm welcome and described the Institute as an important long-term partner for DAAD in Southeast Asia. He noted AIT’s unique position as an international institution based in Thailand with students, researchers, alumni, and partners across Asia and beyond.
He underscored that DAAD’s work in the region goes beyond promoting study and research opportunities in Germany. DAAD also supports academic networking, connects institutions with German universities and researchers, and provides information on funding and cooperation opportunities.
Mr. Wagenfeld encouraged AIT to continue sharing its research strengths and areas of expertise with potential German partners. He noted that DAAD could help connect AIT with suitable institutions and provide guidance on available programs and funding opportunities.
During the meeting, AIT representatives presented the Institute’s academic and research strengths in areas including climate change and sustainability, civil and environmental engineering, advanced science and technology, computing and communication sciences, public policy and sustainable development, and food and agriculture.
AIT also highlighted its longstanding links with German universities through student exchanges, faculty engagement, research, and academic partnerships. Over the past two decades, nearly 195 scholars have received DAAD support to study at AIT across more than 10 academic programs. AIT also continues to host German exchange students from partner universities.
The discussion explored further opportunities for joint and dual-degree programs, student and faculty exchanges, research collaboration, research stays, and capacity building. Mr. Wagenfeld noted growing interest among German universities in joint and dual-degree programs and highlighted DAAD mechanisms that may support institutions in developing such partnerships.
Both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining close communication and identifying practical opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between AIT, DAAD, and German universities.
AIT representatives at the meeting included Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, Vice President for Academic and Research; Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development; Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE); Dr. Sarawut Ninsawat, Dean of the Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology (FAST); Prof. Jai Govind Singh, Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Communication Sciences (FCCS); Dr. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen, Dean of the Faculty of Public Policy and Sustainable Development (FPSD); Prof. Avishek Datta, Professor, Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FFANR); Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA), Office of Development and Engagement Affairs (ODEA); and Ms. Sirima Sirimattayanan, Senior Program Officer, OIA, ODEA.
