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OCTOBER 2018
Asian Institute of Technology
OCTOBER 2018
PRESIDENT WOON UNVEILS SIX STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS FOR AIT
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n his inaugural address to the community, President Eden Y Woon unveiled his vision for the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as it moves beyond 60 years. “AIT needs to be a relevant, respected, global, and wellknown technological and entrepreneurial institute serving Asia and the world,” President Woon told a packed house at AIT’s Robert B. Banks Auditorium on 5 September 2018. The maiden public speech for the AIT family after assuming the AIT Presidency on 1 September 2018 was an occasion for the President to share his strategic vision and introduce himself. Peppered with experiences of his own personal journey from the military to diplomacy, business and academia, he outlined the future trajectory for the institute.
A mathematician by training, Dr. Woon had coined an algebraic prescription for six strategic areas for AIT — I2E2S2 (Innovation, International, Enterprises, Entrepreneurship, Stakeholders, and Support). While the mathematician in Dr. Woon provided a mathematical expression for AIT, his stress on engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative was based on his experience in China affairs (30 years). A stint in diplomacy (12 years), academia (22 years), and business (18 years) notwithstanding, it was his military experience (22 years) that provided the bedrock of the concluding portion of his talk. “We need a sense of pride, integrity, accountability, responsibility, and good governance. Together we can do it!”, Dr. Woon concluded. More details at this link: https:// www.ait.ac.th/2018/09/president-woon-unveils-six-strategic-focus-areas-ait/.
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