The 60th Anniversary Lecture to Homecoming Alumni by Former President Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai at AIT's RBB Auditorium 25 October 2019

1. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai
24 October 2019
1

2. Historical Stages of AIT
SEATOGSE
(1959‐1967)
AIT @ Chula
(1967‐1973)
AIT @ Rangsit
(1973‐Present)
THE PATH

3. The Formation Year: From idea to fruition
SEATOGSE
(1959‐1967)
By defining the project as a graduate school of
engineering, at a time when there were almost
no graduate programs being offered South and
East Asia, a clear field for growth existed.

4. SEATO Graduate School of Engineering
(SEATOGSE)
Your text here* SEATO comprised Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan,
the Philippines, Thailand, and UK, and US.
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“The Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization (SEATO)* pledged
to promote higher living
standards, economic prosperity,
and social well-being in the
region”

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Mr. Pote Sarasin, 1st SEATO Gen Secretary, was the initiator of
the SEATOGSE, resulting in its prototype on Chulalongkorn
Campus, as a living example of international cooperation.’
“We must train engineers in Asia where their skills were required
and where, it was hoped, they would remain.“
THE PERSON WHO ARCHITECTED SEATOGSE

6. Maurice L. Albertson
Former head of the
Colorado State
University Research
Foundation
THE PERSON WHO
ENGINEERED SEATOGSE
Maurice Albertson solicited
cooperation and support to start
SEATOGSE and personally recruited
many of the early faculty.

7. 7
• Prof. Thomas Evans was greeted by
H.E. Pote Sarasin on arrival at Bangkok,
1959, to launch the Graduate School of
Engineering.

8. 8
At a colorful
ceremony attended
by the diplomatic
corps, the SEATO
Graduate School of
Engineering was
inaugurated by H.E.
Field Marshall Sarit
Thanrat, Prime
Minister of Thailand,
on September 8,
1959.

9. 9

10. Student Scholarships were extended from Thailand, Pakistan, and Philippines to
Burma, Ceylon, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaya, Vietnam, and Singapore.
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US President Lyndon B. Johnson was greeted by the
AIT community during his visit to the SEATO Graduate
School of Engineering on 29 October 1966.

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22. The Bender Era:
Years of Decision,
Independence and Expansion
The third Dean of the
Graduate School, Professor
Milton E. Bender, Jr., can only
be described as a visionary. It
was Dean Bender who had the
capability to engineer, four
years later, the transition to
autonomy of the first solely
post‐graduate educational
institution in Asia.
22

23. THE POTE & USA DREAM
“Some critics
believed the Pote
Sarasin and USA
dream could not
succeed, and the
new school would
become a part of
Chulalongkorn
University. There
was no precedent
for such an institute
anywhere in the
world.”
23

24. Issue on
Financial
Sustainability
Many things had to be
considered to guarantee
the permanency of the
School but fundamental
to all was financing.
How could we obtain
operating funds and
capital funds?
24
President's Report
to the Board of Trustees
July 9, 1969

25. Issue on
Legal
Status of
SEATOGSE
 SEATOGSE was established by
Royal Decree as an integral
part of Chulalongkorn
University, but was managed
by a Board of Management
appointed by the SEATO
Council.
 Because of the ambiguous
legal status and its affiliation
with SEATO, it was not
possible to broaden the
financial base and obtain
contributions from other
sources. 25
President's Report
to the Board of Trustees
July 9, 1969

26. To guarantee the permanency of the
School as a regional institution
 Eventually, the affiliation with SEATO has to
be terminated and the School had to have a
definitive legal status as an independent
regional institution with a permanent
management structure.
 These changes would not guarantee financing
but they would enable us to work, on a world‐
wide basis, with all types of potential donors
in attempting to secure proper financing.
26
Dean Bender's report of Jaw1ary 1964 on The Future of the SEA TO Graduate School of Engineering

27. Bender’s Wish
“If an endowment of
U.S.$10 million can be
guaranteed, the School
could well become a great
educational institution of
the region”
In 1964, the U.S. indicated its support was meant to
start SEATOGSE; but not to subsidize it permanently.

28. Bender’s Challenges
the difficulty of convincing SEATO to relinquish
control of its most successful cultural project,
the difficulty of drafting a charter acceptable
to all members and to Thailand, as host
country, which must enact it,
the problems of achieving recognition as an
international body so as to obtain tax benefits
in Thailand. 28

29. 2 Consultants on Future of SEATOGSE
Dr. C. A. Hart
Min. Overseas Dev. UK, on
continue to serve region.
Prof Wesley L. Orr
UCLA on future academic
role of the School.
“There was scarcely any person
who was not conversant with
the activities of SEATOGSE and
all held the view that such an
institution in the region should
be encouraged."
SEATOGSE "is not just
another ordinary school of
engineering, it is a unique
experiment in international
cooperation in engineering
education."

30. The
Recommendation
(by Expert Study
Group Chaired by
UK’s Prof. W.
Fisher Cassie)
After reviewing the working
papers of the two consultants,
the Expert Study Group
reaffirmed the need for the
School to continue and
expand, after severance of its
SEATO connection.
The recommendation would
be submitted to the May 1965
SEATO Council Meeting in
London for final Resolution .

31. THE BENDER’S LOG
• The main task of Dean Bender was to
steer the transition of SEATOGSE toward
AIT. Determination and perseverance
became the essential mode.
• Some ten pages (known as "Bender's
Log") detailed hour by hour movements
of Dean Bender’s uninvited trip to London
to lobby and engineer a SEATO Council of
Ministers for resolution on the future of
the Graduate School.
“If I had not been here we would not have had this resolution.
No one knew what to write and actually there was not supposed
to be a resolution on the School anyway. I'm satisfied that it has
been a miserable week well spent. “
“If I had not been here we would not have had this resolution.
No one knew what to write and actually there was not supposed
to be a resolution on the School anyway. I'm satisfied that it has
been a miserable week well spent. “

32. Bender’s
Perseverance
Due to the late return of the
readings by members in time, the
May 1965 SEATO Council Meeting
did not include the SEATOGSE
Expert Report in its agenda. Thanks
to President Bender’s persistence,
he went, uninvited, to London
where the Council Meeting was
being held. Thus, the Council was
obliged to pass the resolution in
support of the Report.

33. May 1965
Resolution
of SEATO
Council
Meeting
1. The School shall remain
regional.
2. After an interim period,
SEATO control shall be
phased out and the School
shall become truly
independent.
3. The SEATO Council
Representatives shall set
up a commission to work
out the details of the
transition to independent
status.

34. THE SEED OF TRANSFORMATION
• The Commission was appointed as directed,
worked during the latter part of 1965, and
submitted its report to the Secretary
General of SEATO in January 1966.
• The report gave specific procedures for the
phaseout of SEATO control and for the
chartering of the School in Thailand as the
completely independent Asian Institute of
Technology.
• The SEATO Council, meeting in Canberra in
June 1966, approved the recommendations
of the Commission.

35. Draft Charter of AIT
1. The name of the Graduate School is to be changed to the
'Asian Institute of Technology’.
2. The main office is to be in Bangkok, Thailand.
3. The Institute is to have independent status.
4. The Institute will have legal identity as a non-profit
organization with the ability to conduct business in Thailand
or any country in the world.
5. All powers of the Institute will be vested in an international
Board of Trustees which, after the appointment of the initial
Board, shall be self-perpetuating.
6. The Institute shall have full rights to develop its own
graduate and research programs in engineering and the
allied sciences, and to award its own degrees.
7. The Institute will provide for its own selection of students
on a regional basis.
8. The activities of the Institute shall be conducted in Thailand
and such other places outside Thailand as may be
appropriate for the furtherance of its purposes.I
9. It is assumed that the major funding of the Institute in the
future will be by endowments.
By SEATO‐Appointed
the Commission

36. 36
Dr Thanat Khoman
(RTG Foreign Min)
Dr Thanat Khoman
(RTG Foreign Min)

37. (2) AIT was
exempted it
from import
taxes
(4) AIT was
exempted from
immigration laws
for its officers,
staff, and students
(1) AIT is a
juristic body in
Thailand
(3) AIT was
exempted from
national
education laws
AIT
ENABLING ACT
(5) AIT was granted
the right to award
degrees in its own
name
Promulgated by
H.M. the King
November 1967.

38. THE AIT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(as stipulated by the Commission)
It is largely the responsibility of the Trustees to
acquire endowment funds.
Member Countries should keep in mind that this
will be a major function of the Board and of its
individual members.
Meanwhile, the Member Governments must
continue to assume a responsibility for financing
the Institute.

39. Dr. Puey Ungphakorn
Chairman of the
Board
AIT Founding
GOVERNANCE
Mr. Oscar Mapua
Vice Chairman
Milton E. Bender, Jr.,
AIT President

40. OPPORTUNITY OF
STATUS CHANGE
Extensive
contacts have
been made with
a great many
potential donors
including
countries,
foundations, UN
organizations,
and individuals.
President Milton E. Bender in his Report to
the Board of Trustees July 9 1969

41. Transition Stages of AIT
SEATOGSE
(1959‐1967)
AIT @ Chula
(1967‐1973)
AIT is an autonomous
international postgraduate
institute under the Law of
Thailand.

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43. THE FIRST MEETING OF AIT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN 1968
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44. THE MEETING OF AIT BOARD
OF TRUSTEES IN 1969
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45. President Bender in his
report to His Majesty
King Bhumibol on the
occasion of the AIT
Graduation on 4 May
1968 which was graced
by His Majesty.
“AIT does not seek to
duplicate a Western
institution. Our objective
is to foster the growth of
an institution which will
best serve the
technological
requirements of the
peoples of Asia. “
45

46. สวทช
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THE LAND ISSUE
23
AIT
TU
NSTDA

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The Cabinet resolved regarding Asian Institute
for Economic Development and Planning
(AIEDP) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
as follows
(1) AIEDP can remain temporarily at the TU
Public Administration Building for no more
than 5 years, from the day the Graduate
Institute of Public Administration move out.
(2) Agree in principle to allocate the new
campus of AIT, with consideration of AIEDP
and TU in the same area. By some
arrangement, AIT can use the Industrial
Ministry land at Rangsit for its new campus.
(3) Authorize Mr. Puey Ungphakorn to be the
official representative in the Council of AIEDP.
The Cabinet resolved that the Rangsit land of
the Ministry of Industry be allocated for AIT,
AIEDP and TU (partially). The Ministry of
Industry can consider using the piece of land
owned by TU at Klong Chan if it is not against
the city plan.
Cabinet Resolution 3/10/2510
Cabinet Resolution 12/12/2510

48. TRIPARTITE
AGREEMENT
It was the agreement of
the 3 parties on 2
February 1968 to allow TU
to transfer the land dead
from Ministry of Industry,
and AIT and AIEDP agree
to be the leasees because,
as non‐Thai entities, both
cannot be legal holders of
the state land.
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50. Presidential Groundbreaking Ceremony
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52. 1973
His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej of Thailand
graciously presided over the
opening of AIT’s present day
campus.
INAUGURATION
OF AIT CAMPUS

53. Historical Stages of AIT
SEATOGSE
(1959‐1967)
AIT @ Chula
(1967‐1973)
AIT @ Rangsit
(1973‐Present)
The Golden Year
Started.

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56. On February 14,
1973, H.M. King
Bhumibol
Adulyadej
opened the new
AIT campus in
Klong Luang
District,
Pathumthani
Province.
56

57. Their Majesties were guided by the Board Chair Puey Ungphakorn and
President Milton E. Bender to view the new facilities of the new AIT campus. 57

58. • Prime Minister of
Thailand, H.E. General
Prem Tinasulanonda is
welcomed by AIT
President, Prof. Robert B.
Banks and Vice President
for Development, Prof.
Ricardo P. Pama on his
visit to AIT in September
1980.
58

59. In 1984, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn enrolled in
the newly established Remote Sensing Technology.
59

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63. Former US
President
Jimmy Carter
and First Lady
Rosalynn
were
welcomed by
Vice
Presidents
Prof. Gajendra
Singh, and
Prof. Ricardo
P. Pama.
63

64. Under Donation Model
The Success Stories
Of the Golden Years
2 KEY FACTORS FOR ITS SUCCESS IN THE GOLDEN YEARS
(1) Academic Quality (Driven by World‐Known Seconded Faculty)
(2) ‘Cream of the Crop” Students (Driven by Generous Scholarships by Donors)

65. Two critical challenges
due to changes in world
geopolitical landscape:
(1) Exhaustion in the
traditional ‘development
funds’, to provide
scholarships to top-
class students.
(2) Lack resources to
compete with national
full-fledge universities
for world-class faculty
and students.
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66. “If regional
development
continues to be
the mission of AIT,
the better we do
our job, the
sooner we will be
out of job.”
Dr. Stephen Ogunlana
Former Professor of Construction Engineering
Asian Institute of Technology
DONOR-DRIVEN MODEL – THE CHALLENGE
6627/08/18 W. Kanok-Nukulchai

67. ROUGH
GEOPOLITICS
AHEAD
Stormy Road Ahead
From the Millennium

68. Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai
Reputation
PRIVATE FUND
& ENDOWMENT
OUTPUT
 Graduates
 Research
 Outreach
THE AIT ENGINE (2018)
INPUT
 Students
THE AIT Engine
 Faculty/Staff
 Facilities
 Management
Paying
Students
Scholarship Students
DONORS
SPONSORS
CLIENTS
Scholarship
Students Impact
FUNDING
Impact
Tuition & Fees
Research &
Others
Impact
48%
60%
1%
51%
40 %
6827/08/18 W. Kanok-Nukulchai

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71. 71
AIT Hall of Fame 2010

72. AIT Help me
to be
integrated
into
the global
technologica
l society”
HRH Princess
Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn
72
At AIT Day 2010

73. Thanks