AITAA 44th Governing Board Meeting and Conference kicks off in Colombo today

The Sri Lanka Chapter of the Asian Institute of Technology Alumni Association (SLAITAA) has made all arrangements to host the 44th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) and Conference of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) in Colombo. 

AITAA has a membership of 25 National Chapters representing mainly the countries in the Asia Pacific Region as well as USA and Canada. The GBM and the related events will be held from 30 October to 1 November. Over 70 delegates and guests from 17 countries would be participating at this annual event this year where the host hotel would be Ozo Colombo. Governor of the Northern Province and Former Ambassador to Thailand H.M.G.S. Palihakkara would be attending as Chief Guest of the inauguration ceremony of the GBM on 31 October. AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai and AIT Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Subin Pinkayan would also grace this occasion.

AIT is a leading international university located in Bangkok offering postgraduate degrees mainly in the field of engineering. It is one of Asia’s pioneering higher education institutions established in 1959 to help meet the region’s growing need for advanced learning in engineering, science, technology management, research and capacity building. 

AIT’s mission is to develop highly qualified and committed professionals who will play a leading role in the sustainable development in the region and its integration to the global economy. AIT has affiliated centres in other parts of the region and works in close partnership with several universities and educational institutes in Sri Lanka.

The Mother Chapter of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) was established in 1969 as a coordinating body to liaise between the institute and its alumni around the world. It was also aimed to enhance relationships among alumni for continuous growth and development of AIT as well as capacity building of the National Chapters. The AITAA currently has 25 National Chapters. 

The Sri Lanka Chapter of AITAA was established in 1986, which is functioning actively promoting the image of the AIT and its graduates who are making significant contribution to the country’s development while maintaining very close relationship with the AIT as well as the fellow chapters in the region. There are over 1,000 Sri Lankan Alumni who have completed Masters and PhD degrees at AIT and in addition there are over 200 Alumni who have completed B Sc Degrees and many more who have followed short courses at AIT.

The current President of the Sri Lanka Chapter Sunimal Weerasooriya stated, “We are very proud and honoured to have got this opportunity to host the 44th GBM of AITAA in Sri Lanka which is an important annual event in the AIT calendar. I wish to welcome all the delegates and guests who are arriving in Sri Lanka from 17 countries and wish them a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Sri Lanka. 

I also wish to thank the Executive Committee of SLAITAA for all their efforts to make this three-day event a great success and also the Principal Sponsor, SAITM Campus, Co-Sponsors, Mahab Lanka Consulting Engineers and Farab Company, Telecommunications Sponsor, Dialog Enterprise and the Print Media Sponsor, Daily FT and all other sponsors and donors for their contributions to make this event a success.”