On 25 August 2010, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the Adoption and Signing Ceremony of the new Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ceremony was held to adopt the new AIT Charter, and is open for signature from states and international organizations interested in AIT membership.
As witnessed by representatives from interested states and international organizations and those from the diplomatic corps in Thailand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs declared the adoption of the new AIT Charter, and signed the Charter on behalf of the Royal Thai Government as authorized by the Thai Cabinet’s decision on 4 May 2010. On this occasion, the Foreign Minister mentioned in his remarks during the ceremony that the AIT was established over 50 years ago in Thailand as a leading Graduate School in the fields of engineering, science, technology, and management, including research and training in support of economic and social development in the region. The Institute is a non-profit, independent, and non-political organization.
Due to the continuous support and contributions from its members, the AIT is well recognized today as a centre of excellence in research and knowledge in Southeast Asia. By virtue of the provisions of the new Charter, the AIT will gain the status of an international organization. With this new status, the Institute will be able to operate more effectively and to better serve the needs of its partners, as well as of its students. In addition, the role and capacity of the Institute in seeking out and cooperating with new partners and stake-holders for international cooperation on higher learning, research and human resource development will also be enhanced. The Institute’s reach will extend not only regionally but also globally.
Thailand takes great pride in being the AIT’s host country, and has for more than half a century contributed to its growth and development, together with other donor countries, to serve the peoples of Asia and beyond. The Royal Thai Government fully endorsed the new Charter, and would undertake the necessary steps in accordance with the Thai Constitution in order to become a founding member of the new Charter as soon as possible.
Besides Thailand, among those who attended the Ceremony and signed the Charter include Seychelles, Cambodia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Sweden, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh, Philippines, India and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, East and Southeast Asia (UNIFEM)
After signing the new Charter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will open it for signature for one year. The Charter will enter into force six months after the date when the fifth country deposits its instrument of ratification with the Royal Thai Government.
As signatory to the new AIT Charter and host country of the Institute, Thailand would be in a position to guide the policy and direction of the AIT to help advance Thailand’s national strategy for technical assistance to neighboring countries and those in South Asia, and to promote human development including research and development of science and technology as well as the social and economic development of Thailand and of countries in the region. In addition, Thailand could also gain increased potential as a regional hub of international organizations and of education in accordance with the government’s policy.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th