Crisis simmers as AIT chief refuses to quit
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is still struggling with a crisis as its current president Said Irandoust has refused to step down, despite calls from lecturers, students and alumni.
Meanwhile, more than 100 students are left in limbo as they do not know for sure whether the degrees they’ll receive at the scheduled graduation ceremony in the middle of this month will be recognised worldwide.
The crisis at the AIT stems mainly from Irandoust’s decision to use the new charter, which has changed AIT’s status into an intergovernmental organisation. The Thai Parliament has not yet endorsed the charter.
“If the president does not find a solution soon, the problem will affect students,” Bhawat Traipattanakul said yesterday in his capacity as president of the AIT Student Confederation.
AIT lecturer Noppadol Phienwej accused Irandoust of using his power arbitrarily.
“He has refused to arrange a meeting of the board of trustees. He has also attempted to disrupt a board meeting that is going to be chaired by a Japanese executive on December 12,” the lecturer said.
On November 28, the AIT Academic Senate demanded Irandoust step down to show responsibility for the ongoing crisis. However, Irandoust refused to attend the Academic Senate’s meeting held to address the problem that day. On November 29, Irandoust lambasted the Academic Senate saying that it tried to interfere in the affairs of executives. The AIT Academic Senate responded by saying all members present at the meeting supported the demand for Irandoust’s resignation.
