Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has elected representation on the university’s highest governing body, the Board of Trustees as specified in AIT Bye-Laws. The Board of Trustees has a maximum number of members not exceeding thirty, in addition to the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen. The composition of the Board reflects the international character of AIT and includes representatives of partner governments, international organizations, and individuals capable of contributing significantly to the institute’s mission. In addition to these representatives, certain individuals participate ex-officio in Board meetings, including one representative of the Faculty, one representative of the Staff, and the President of the Student Union.

Refer to Chapter 1, The Board of Trustees, 1.2

AIT recognizes an independent student’s union, known as the Students’ Union (SU). The SU has a set of objectives that focus on fostering unity and harmony among its members and the broader community, promoting the well-being of students through various social, cultural, and sporting activities, advocating for gender equity and equality, effectively communicating the members’ views to the Institute’s administration and faculty, ensuring a pleasant and orderly campus environment, serving as the official representative body of AIT students through its officers, and taking actions to protect the rights and privileges of its members.

AIT has written policies and procedures (P&P) to identify local stakeholders external to the university and engage with them (AA-1-2-6, AA-5-2-1, and AIT Bye-laws).

1. The Institute P&P on Partnerships Agreements Definitions, Processing and Finalization (AA-1-2-6) is applicable for the development, approval and signing of all types of partnership agreements (at the institute level as well as at lower levels), usually named MoU or MoA. This statement provides definitions of the types of partnership agreements; prescribe formats for the agreements; and define the processing of these agreements leading to their finalization and signing.
2. The Institute P&P on Externally Sponsored and Contracted Projects (AA-5-2-1) is applicable for agreements with aponsors and clients. “Sponsored Research”, which is based on specific areas of interests of the Institute, mainly funded by sponsors, and supplemented by Institute subsidies. Research may be sponsored by a government agency, private or non-government organization, foundation, or individual. Sponsored research and development projects are based on problems relevant to the development of the region and to the education of AIT students who are being prepared to participate in the development of their own countries. Such research and development projects involve faculty, research staff and students, the participation of the latter to be as part of their master or doctoral degree requirements. The direct beneficiaries of research output are the profession, society or country. “Contracted Research”, which is based on the specific needs and interests of external clients who underwrite the cost of the research in return for access to the results. The external client expects to benefit from the research delivered to the client, usually in the form of reports, softwares or prototypes. Contracted research may entail confidentiality and restriction on publication.
3. The Schools and AIT Extension shall have Boards, appointed by the President, on the recommendations of the Dean and Director AIT Extension, as a decision making body on strategic and policy related issues within the overall framework provided by the Executive Committee / Board of Trustees, comprising at least one-third external members. The External Members shall be eminent personalities from the academe, corporate world, public sector, international agencies, and AIT alumni body, working in the region and worldwide (AIT Bye-laws, Chapter 1, Article 1-2, Chapter 6, Chapter 10, Article 10.2)

Created: 1 Mar 2009
Last reviewed: 30 Mar 2021
Source 1:AA-1-2-6 Partnership Agreements AMT30Mar2021.pdf – Google Drive

Created: 13 May 2003
Last reviewed: 16 Dec 2020
Source 2:AA-5-2-1 Externally Sponsored and Contracted Projects AMT16Dec-2020.pdf – Google Drive

Refer to 10.2, Chapter 10 Academic Organization (Page 8)

Source:https://ait.ac.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AIT-Bye-laws.pdf

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that local stakeholders, including local residents, local government, and civil society representatives, have a meaningful mechanism for participating in university decision-making. While there are direct consultative interfaces between the respective constituencies of the Institute and the Board on issues of larger interest concerning their constituencies, the Stakeholders Forum serves as a platform for members to consult, communicate and canvass opinions on a range of matters prior to sharing them with their respective Relations Committees in the Board.

Evidence 1
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) provides clear and detailed guidelines regarding its grievance process in the document titled “Ethical Behavior and Grievance Process” (PA-2-1-2). The document outlines general policies, procedures, and the formation of the Grievance Committee to address grievances within the AIT community. It ensures the protection of individuals and the pursuit of an appropriate solution to grievances, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality and upholding the rights and interests of all members. The document also describes the formal and informal grievance processes, including the role of counseling, direct confrontation, and third-party mediation in addressing complaints. A formal grievance process is in place, with provisions for the submission of written complaints and the establishment of a Grievance Tribunal when required. AIT’s commitment to addressing grievances and ensuring due process is evident in this comprehensive document, which highlights the principles and commitments related to ethical behavior and grievance resolution at the university.

Refer to Page 5, III.B, Grievance Procedure

Evidence 2

AIT demonstrates a commitment to combating organized crime, corruption, and bribery by publishing principles and commitments related to green purchasing. The university’s Green Purchasing policy, as outlined in document FB-3-1-1, incorporates 10 key principles related to human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. These principles emphasize support for internationally proclaimed human rights, the elimination of forced and child labor, the promotion of environmental responsibility, and the work against corruption in all forms, including extortion and bribery. AIT’s commitment to green purchasing reflects its dedication to ethical and sustainable procurement practices, contributing to a culture of integrity and responsibility within the university.

Refer to Page 11 and 12, VII Green Purchasing and Anti Corruption

Evidence 1

AIT has a policy that supports academic freedom, as articulated in its ethical behavior guidelines (document PA-2-1-2, Ethical Behaviour and Grievance Process). The policy acknowledges the importance of academic freedom, which allows members of the AIT community the freedom to teach, study, discuss, debate, and publish without interference within the context of their academic programs. It emphasizes the need to respect the beliefs and values of other community members, as well as the laws, culture, and conventions of the Institute’s host countries. This policy underscores AIT’s commitment to upholding academic freedom, enabling faculty and researchers to choose areas of research and to speak and teach publicly about the areas of their research without undue constraints.

Refer to page 2, II.A.2, Ethical Behavior, General Policies

Evidence 2
AIT has a policy that upholds academic freedom in research and dissemination of research findings, as evident in its commitment to academic integrity and ethical behavior (document AA-4-1-1: Academic Integrity in Research and Publication). The policy underscores the expectation that all members of the AIT community will observe high standards of academic integrity and ethical behavior in their research and publication practices. It emphasizes the importance of self-regulation and adherence to professional standards. While the policy outlines what constitutes academic misconduct, including deliberate fabrication, plagiarism, and other ethical breaches, it also implicitly supports academic freedom by recognizing that differences in interpretation or judgment, as well as honest errors, do not constitute academic misconduct. This approach allows researchers and scholars at AIT to exercise their freedom in choosing research areas and to speak and teach publicly about their research, while maintaining ethical standards.

Refer page 2, item IV, Academic Misconduct

Evidence 1
AIT publishes its financial data yearly. The financial statement audit report for the year 2022 is publicly available on the AIT website, providing transparency and access to the university’s financial information. This demonstrates AIT’s commitment to openness and accountability in its financial operations, allowing stakeholders to access and review the financial data for the institution.

Evidence 2
In addition to the financial statement audit report, AIT also includes financial data in its annual report, which is readily accessible to the public. This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of the institution’s financal data ensuring transparency and accountability in its financial management. By making this data available in both the annual report and financial statement audit report, AIT maintains a strong commitment to providing stakeholders with a comprehensive view of its financial operations.

AIT has to provide expert advice to the government Provide specific expert advice to local, regional or national governments.

Source 1:AIT led subregional consultation workshop for integrated assessment of SDGs in Bangkok Metropolitan Region – Asian Institute of Technology
Source 2:Prof. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad in collaboration with AIT Extension has published a report on Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh – Asian Institute of Technology

AIT have Policy- and lawmakers outreach and education Provide outreach, general education, upskilling and capacity-building to policy and lawmakers on relevant topics including economics, law, technology, migration and displacement, and climate change.

Following the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing between AIT and the Punjab Resource Management Program Unit (PRMPU), Government of Punjab, Pakistan,Aiming to enhance practical knowledge on monitoring and impact evaluation approaches and methods, AIT blended multiple learning activities such as input experience sharing sessions, case-based study visit programs, and project work on outcome-based evaluation.

Source 1:AIT signed MoA with the Government of Punjab, Pakistan and held the First International Training program – Asian Institute of Technology
Source 2:RRC.AP and Partners Built Capacities of Member Countries of ASEAN Haze Agreement and Malé Declaration on Air Quality Management – Asian Institute of Technology (ait.ac.th)

AIT have Participation in government research Undertake policy-focused research in collaboration with government departments.

Source 1:TikTalk 8 by Bangkok University & IUCN – Asian Institute of Technology (ait.ac.th)
Source 2:AIT Hosts Capacity Building Workshop – Addresses Climate Change Adaptation and Propagates Knowledge in Smart Agriculture to Enhance Government Officials’ Capabilities – Asian Institute of Technology

AIT have neutral platform to discuss issues Provide a neutral platform and ‘safe’ space for different political stakeholders to come together to frankly discuss challenges.

Source 1:Experts interact with students via Tik Talk Series – Asian Institute of Technology (ait.ac.th)
Source 2:AIT Board of Trustees Meeting held on the Campus – Asian Institute of Technology

Source1:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pyjGgFlmXJNVvdqc0TCdOs_GUT0BJWQF/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113887125031049055183&rtpof=true&sd=true