Asian Institute of Technology

The Asian Institute of Technology, founded in 1959, is an international institution for higher education in Khlong Luang, Thailand. It specializes in engineering, advanced technologies, and management and planning. Its aim is to "promote technological change and sustainable development" in the Asia-Pacific region, through higher education, research, and outreach.History and missionFounded in 1959 as SEATO Graduate School of Engineering with a mission to develop highly qualified and committed professionals to foster sustainable development of the region and its integration into the global economy, it receives funding from organizations and governments around the world (initially from SEATO members).In 1972, it was described as "an excellent example of not only the initiative and organization of a technical university, but also of the success of a foreign aid program". In 2006, AIT claimed that it "has become a leading regional post-graduate institute and is actively working with public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some of the top universities in the world". It sees itself as being "recognized for its multinational, multi-cultural ethos." AIT celebrated its golden jubilee in 2009.On 21 October 2011, AIT's campus was inundated by two-meter-high floodwaters. Since then, it has resumed operations at its campus.GovernanceDue to its international standing and global support, AIT has been administered by a high-ranking board of governors since its beginning. Traditionally a high-ranking Thai citizen has been the chairman of its board of trustees. At present the chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees is former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, H.E. Dr. Subin Pinkayan.