Hanoi geoengineering 2010

The International Symposium on 
    Urban Geoengineering, Earth Resources and Sustainability
                                                              in the context of climate change. 

Revenue:  Le Van Thiem Conference Hall, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
                22-23 November 2010.

Hanoi Geoengineering 2010 continues on the basis of the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 Hanoi GeoEngineering, which has become a traditional and familiar international symposium, jointly organized by Vietnam national University,  Hanoi (VNU) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in close collaboration with other overseas and national partners. The symposium is aimed at developing the better collaboration between overseas and Vietnamese engineers and scholars.

Theme of the Hanoi GeoEngineering 2010 Symposium is “Urban Geoengineering and Sustainability in the Context of Climate Change”. With an unprecedented booming and expansion of urban areas in Vietnam in the early 21st century the activities related to education, and research in geological, geotechnical, geoenvironmental and geophysical engineering have to be more promoted and active to meet the needs of the country of today and in future.

Symposium Major topics:
-          Geotechnical Engineering and Urban Infrastructure development
-          Earth resources and environment
-          Geohazards and Georisks
-          Human and energy Security Engineering
-          Geoexploration and Petroleum Engineering
-          Vulnerability assessment and risk management of climate change

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
-          Dr. Noppadol Phien-wej, AIT
-          Prof. D. T. Bergado, AIT
-          Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, AIT
-          Prof. Toshifumi Matsuoka, Kyoto University, Japan
-          Prof. Yusuke Watabe, Gifu University, Japan
-          Dr. Yoichi Watanabe, ATC12 & Par1, Japan
-          Dr. Jang Seonghyung, KIGAM, South Korea
-          Prof. Freek van Der Meer, ITC, the Netherlands
-          Prof. Andreas Weller, Clausthal University, Germany
-          Dr. Nguyen Van Thuan, DRMG, Vietnam
-          Dr. Nguyen Truong Tien,, VSSMGE, Vietnam
-          Dr. Trinh Minh Thu, HWRU, Vietnam
-          Dr. Nguyen Viet Ky, VNU-HCMC, Vietnam
-          Dr. Rajinder Bhasin, NGI, Norway
-          Dr. Phan Ngoc Trung, VPI, Vietnam
-          Dr. Pham Van Long, VinaMekong Engineering, Vietnam

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
-          Prof. Bui Duy Cam, HUS-VNU
-          Mr. Oddvar Kjedstad, NGI
-          Prof. Nguyen Hoang Luong, HUS-VNU
-          Dr. Nguyen Van Vuong, HUS-VNU
-          Dr. Do Minh Duc, HUS-VNU
-          Dr. Vu Van Tich, HUS-VNU
-          Dr. Nghiem Huu Hanh, VGI
-          Dr. Tran Tan Van, VIGMR
-          Dr. Nguyen Hong Minh, VGI
-          Dr. Nguyen Nhu Trung, CCOP
-          Prof. Mai Thanh Tan, VAG
-          Dr. Tran Manh Lieu, VNU
-          Mr. Phan Duy Nga, HUS-VNU

SYMPOSIUM CHAIRMEN
-          Prof. Mai Trong Nhuan, VNU (chairman)
-          Dr. Pham Huy Giao, AIT (Co-Chairman)
-          Prof. Hiroyashi Ohtsu, Kyoto University (Co-chairman)


Organized by
-          Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU)
-          Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
-          Kyoto University (KU)
-          International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
-          Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI), PetroVietnam

With the support and collaboration of
-          Global center of excellence (GCoE) Kyoto-AIT
-          Vietnam society of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering (VSSMGE)
-          Vietnam-Norway Co-operation Program on Geohazards (VINOGEO)
-          Vietnam geotechnical Institute (VGI)
-          AIT center in Vietnam (AITCV)
-          Asian Technical Committee, ATC 12, ISSMGE
-          The coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programs in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP)
-          Asia-Pacific Network for Global change research (APN)
-          Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (HUMG)
-          Hanoi Water Resources University (HWRU)
-          Vietnam Association of engineering geology and environment (VAEGE)
-          Vietnam Association of Geophysicists (VAG)

For more information:





AIT attains status of International Intergovernmental Organization

A landmark in Thailand’s higher learning was reached when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya signed the new Charter of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, thereby initiating the process to grant it the status of an International organization. AIT becomes the first international organization in the field of higher learning in Thailand.

AIT attains status of International Intergovernmental Organization
H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya signing the new AIT Charter
Signing the charter, the minister congratulated AIT and stated that “AIT is recognized as a center of excellence in research and knowledge in Southeast Asia.” The Foreign Minister stated that the Royal Thai Government fully endorses the new Charter and that the Charter will be open for signature for one year from today, and it will become effective when the fifth country deposits its instrument of ratification with the Royal Thai Government.

Today, 12 countries and one intergovernmental organization signed the new AIT Charter. They include People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of India, Japan, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Philippines, Republic of Seychelles, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Thailand, Democratic Republic of Timor Leste and United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

Former minister of foreign affairs, H.E. Dr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AIT, thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and stated that the new Charter is the most significant development in the five decade long history of AIT. Dr. Tej, said the move is the fulfillment of the dream of the founding fathers of AIT, who had envisioned the creation of an international institute of higher learning in Asia.

Prof. Said Irandoust, President AIT thanked all partners for their continuous support and stated that AIT foresees itself playing a lead role in ensuring that Thailand emerges as a top destination for international students.

News of new AIT Charter was displayed prominently in the Breaking News section in The Nation newspaper. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the Royal Thai Government has also prominently featured the news on their website.

News about AIT's new Charter can be found at these links:

MoFA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai Language
The Nation, Thailand, Breaking News
The Nation, National Section
ASEAN Affairs
RYT9 English
RYT9 Thai
ITN News Sri Lanka
Associated Press of Pakistan
Business Recorder, Pakistan
LexisNexis, Pakistan
The New Nation, Bagladesh
UNBconnect, Bangladesh
TOPIX, Bangladesh
SiamX
Thai News, English
Study in Thailand,
Ministry of External Affairs Sri Lanka

Guidance for Doctoral Students

1.         Credit Requirement
           

Non-AIT Master Graduate
AIT Master Graduate
(i)     Coursework

minimum of 18 credits excluding Special Study
minimum of 18 credits which may include a maximum of 6 credits Special Study
(ii)   Dissertation
66 credits
66 credits

2.         Progress Report – required to be submitted to the Program Committee every semester for evaluation of DPRC.

3.         Advancement to Candidacy
           Full-time – 3rd semester
           Non-resident – 4th semester
           Part-time – 6th semester

4.         Journal Publication

           Authorship – the student must be the first author of the article based on the dissertation if the journal does not require a different order. (This regulation is being revisited – may be amended later).

           The journal must be internationally refereed with the following characteristics:
(i)         Has an international editorial board
(ii)        Has international diversity of authorship
(iii)       Appears in major databases
(iv)       Has a reputable publisher
(v)        Has SCI, SSCI or COMPENDEX Number

Upon DPRC’s review of the journal, peer review comments may be requested by DPRC in case of doubts.

           The AIT affiliation of the student must be included in the journal paper;

           A doctoral student is required to seek formal approval from the Program Committee Chair before sending his/her scientific paper for publication in any journal.

           The DPRC is discouraging publication in some journals. The list is available at each field of study for reference of students and faculty. In addition, publication in journals with very broad scope is also discouraged.

           Once acceptance from the journal is received, the completed publication form together with a copy of the accepted paper and information about the journal (i.e. list of editorial board, peer review process, list of databases where the journal is indexed, sample table of contents of any past issue) must be submitted to DPRC for review.

5.         Leave of Absence – can be taken for a maximum of two years only

6.         Probationary and Dismissal Conditions

           Probationary Conditions
(i)   Fails to submit progress report;
(ii)  CGPA is less than 3.50 at the end of the semester;
(iii) Research progress is assessed unsatisfactory;
(iv) Failed to advance to candidacy in due time.

           Dismissal Conditions
(i)   Failed to submit progress report for two consecutive semesters;
(ii)  Has been on probation due to a CGPA of less than 3.50 for two consecutive semesters;
(iii) Has been on probation due to unsatisfactory/ slow research progress for two consecutive semesters;
(iv) Has been on probation due to late advancement to candidacy for two consecutive semesters.
(v)                Dismissal conditions based on Credit Policy:

               Thirty (30) days after the deadline for adding/dropping of courses, interest penalty of 1.5% per month will be imposed.

               If fees remain unpaid before the start of the succeeding semester, viewing of grades, transcripts and registration for the current semester will be disallowed and student’s status shall be ‘suspended due to financial liability’. 
                If the fees remain unpaid at the end of two consecutive semesters including the semester in which he/she was suspended due to financial liability, the student shall be recommended for dismissal. 

               Once dismissed, the Admissions and Scholarship Unit will notify the concerned School Dean of the student’s dismissal.  A student recommended for dismissal may appeal to a Tribunal of Appeals chaired by the VPAA.

7.         Study Limit
           Full-time – 5 years from advancement to candidacy
           Non-resident – 7 years from advancement to candidacy
           Part-time – 7 years from advancement to candidacy

           Students who failed to finish the doctoral requirements within the study limit are automatically dismissed by the Academic Senate. They can appeal to the Tribunal of Appeals for further extension of their studies by sending an appeal letter to the President with explanation of the status of their dissertation and journal article including a clear timetable/plan on how they will finish the doctoral requirements.


8.         External Examiner for the Dissertation

           Appointment:
(i)            It should be done at least one semester before expected graduation.
(ii)           The process takes at least two weeks.
(iii)          It does not require having an article accepted or published in a journal.
Requirements for Appointment
(i)            Completed appointment form
(ii)           External Examiner’s curriculum vitae
(iii)          List of publications in English
(iv)          Summary of doctoral research supervision experience
(v)           Candidate’s dissertation abstract
           Dissertation Dispatch to External Examiner – requires plagiarism check; similarity result should not be more than 15%;
           Evaluation of Dissertation – takes at least 7 weeks from the day of dispatch

9.         Final Comprehensive Examination
           Requirements
(i)            Accepted or published journal paper
(ii)           External Examiner accepts the dissertation without another review
(iii)          Responses to comments of the External Examiner
           Examination schedule must be announced to the Program Committee and AIT community one week before the examination;
           All members of the Program Committee should be in attendance during the final examination.

Course registration

§      Step 1: Access to SIS by

www.sis.ait.ac.th

or www.ait.ac.th, click SIS login


§      Step 2:
Some students will meet this page

Click on Continue to this website (not recommended) for continuing


§      Step 3:

Click on Use AIT-Mail Login ID and Corresponding password



§      Step 4: Login SIS system with your own username and password that offered by AIT on Student Password Slip.

§      Step 5: click yes for continuing



Step 6: Page that you have to work on. There are 3 items you have to look at more
-         Personal info.: check and change your information
-         Transcript/evaluated for check grade and evaluate courses
-         Course Registration for register the courses (have to check deadline by look at the red note)



Many Vietnamese students in AIT

The Thailand-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has granted degrees to 119 Vietnamese students, (three PhD degrees and 116 MA degrees).
Subjects usually selected by Vietnamese students include aquaculture management, energy, designing, management of environment and natural resources, food processing, rural development planning, construction and infrastructure management, telecommunication and business administration.
Vietnam ranks second in the number of students learning at the AIT, only after Thailand. At present, around 400 Vietnamese people are studying for PhD and MA degrees at the institute.

Since 1961, the AIT has trained some 2,600 Vietnamese students.

(Source: VOVnews.vn)

Dr Seah gave a training course to AVGeo.


During 3 days from 16/11/2009 to 18/11/2009 at meeting room and company’s laboratory, Avgeo organized the training course of methods for soil laboratory under the teaching of Dr. SEAH came from Asian Institute of technology (AIT). The course collected about 20 trainees whom were engineers and technicians of AVGeo’s company. During 3 days, Dr. SEAH teaches about knowledge and procedures for using the laboratory equipments according to the ASTM criteria. They are including standard test methods for particle size analysis, for determination of water content, for determination of Atterberg limits, for one-dimensional consolidation test, for triaxial tests, for direct shear test, laboratory vane shear test…
news03
This is a part of permanent training programs to improve the knowledge for  Company’s staffs, combined with upgrading the advanced laboratory testing equipments. They will help AVGeo become to the advanced company for geotechnical investigation in Vietnam.

Hong Duc University and AIT to collaborate in International higher education

Hong Duc University and the Asian Institute of Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a comprehensive collaboration in International higher education and research as well as capacity building between the two institutes. The MOU was signed by Dr. Nguyen Song Hoan, Vice President for International Affairs, Hong Duc University and Prof. Said Irandoust, President, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on 15 June 2010.
Hong Duc University and AIT to collaborate in International higher education
Dr. Nguyen Song Hoan and Prof. Said Irandoust
The scope of the MOU includes undergraduate and graduate education, as well as conduct of short courses and training programs. The two partners shall conduct joint research for the development of science and technology and submit joint proposals. A student, faculty and staff exchange program shall also be facilitated.

Hong Duc University, a leading provincial university was established in 1997 and has more than 10,000 studens and 600 faculty members. It is directly attached to the People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa Procince and works under the authority of the state management from the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) of Vietnam.

The delegation from Hong Duc University included Dr. Hoang Dinh Hai, International Education Center, Hong Duc University; Mr. Nguyen Huu Hoan, Head of Social and Cultural Education, Board of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Council; Dr. Le Tat Hai, Director of Thanh Hoa Children‘s Hospital; Dr. Mai Xuan Thao, Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences, Hong Duc University; Dr. Hoang Dung Sy, Chief of Department of Accreditation and Examination, Hong Duc University; Mr. Dang Xuan Kinh, Chief of Inspectoral Department, Hong Duc University; Dr. Pham Minh Dieu, Dean of Faculty of Primary Teacher Training, Hong Duc University; Mr. Pham Anh Duc, Chief of Student Affairs Department, Hong Duc University; Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Deputy of Chief of Academic Affairs Department, Hong Duc University; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy, Vice Director of Military Education Center, Hong Duc University ; Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, Head of English Department, Hong Duc University; and Dr. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Dean of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Hong Duc University.

Representatives from AIT included Dr. Nitin V. Afzulpurkar, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Dr. Pham Huy Giao, SET; Ms. Tiamkare Thitithamtada, Program Officer, ERCO and Ms. Tripti Rajbhandari, Program Officer, SET.

AIT ranks top in all four engineering areas on research in Thailand, study says

A recent study by Thai Research Fund (TRF) on the research output of Thai universities confirms that Thailand-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) scored the highest rating in four engineering subject areas. This is the first time AIT participated in Thailand's nation-wide evaluation, based on the research output in 2007-2008.
In the recent official report received from TRF, AIT was rated the highest among all Thai universities in these four engineering subject areas: Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Information and Communications Technology, Environmental Engineering and Management, and Industrial Systems Engineering.

The TRF Rating is based on the weighted average varied from ‘five’ to ‘one’ of the following four factors: Equivalent international journal papers per faculty member (weightage of 30 per cent); Journal impact factor per faculty member (weightage of 20 per cent); Total equivalent international journal papers for the entire subject cluster (weightage of 30 per cent); and Total journal impact factors for the entire subject cluster (weightage of 20 per cent).

Based on the above TRF criteria, AIT’s engineering fields of study still received the highest overall rating in comparison with those programs in Thai universities. This is despite the disadvantage of AIT’s limited faculty size as a postgraduate institution.
The details reveal that in all cases AIT stands out in the two “per-head” factors, implying the highest order of research productivity and quality of its individual faculty members.

( AIT news)

Ranking of World Universities

PME-GEM PROGRAM IN VIETNAM

       Master program in Geotechnical Engineering and Management (GEM) emphasizes on solving of geotechnical problems related to soft and thick clay deposits facing infrastructure development of major cities in the Red River and Mekong delta (i.e., Hanoi, HCM City, Can Tho etc.), and expecially for construction of oil and gas facilities on the coastal areas.
   The participants will be provided opportunity to apply up-to-date knowledge in geotechnical engineering and management for infrastructure development projects, including site investigation, geoexploration, soil characterization, soil improvement, tunneling in soft ground, foundation design, computational geotechnics, mitigation of the geo-hazards.
     Offered by one of the most prestigious geotechnical engineering programs in Asia, the PME-GEM program caters to the major geotechnical and construction companies (local and overseas), operating in Vietnam.
     The program was first launched on April 2009 with students from well-known companies in the South of Vienam, (i.e., Anh Vu GeoTechnical and civil engineering Co. Ltd, Tedisouth, PortCoast, HEC II, Technical World, Nam Khang, CDCo Consultant company, Gia Doan Construction and Trading Co. Ltd),.Sai Gon Construction Quality Control Co. (SCQC).ect. Following the successes of the first, the second batch, and the third batch  in HCM city, the first intake in Ha Noi is opened in January 2012.  We are now open for application for the fourth intake in HCM city  and the second intake in Hanoi .

HOW TO BECOME PME-GEM STUDENTS

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection to the program is based on several criteria such as academic qualifications, experience and level of responsibility of the applicant. An interview may also be arranged before the final selection is made.
QUANLIFICATION OF APPLICANTS
  • Hold a 4 years bachelor degree or equivalent in Engineering or Science Geology, Geotechnical engineering, Civil engineering, Mechanical engineering, Geophysics or other related fields.
  • Professinal staffs with at least two years of working experiences in Infrastructure development
  • Proficiency in English that meet AIT requirement
ENGLISH REQUIREMENT
AIT is an international institute with English as the sole language of instruction. Admission tto AIT requires proof of English language proficiency which may be satisfied in any of the following.
  • Submission of an official test score from any of the following standardized English exams IELTS, TOEFL, ICE TEFOW, AITEIT, GRE ( Analytical Writing), the minimum scores for admission are shown in the table below.

  • AIT ENGLISH INTERVIEW TEST SCORES (AITEIT). AITEIT is administrated by AIT Language Unit and is applicable only to applicants in Thailand. For details, please contact languages@ait.ac.th.
Applicant who does not have proof of English language proficiency (equivalent to paper-based TOEFL 500) can apply for the English Test offered by AIT.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested applicants who meet the qualifications for admission can download application forms at: http://www.ait.ac.th/admissions/forms.html. To apply for admission, applicants must submit:

  • A completed AIT application form 
  • A certified copy of undergraduate certificate (in English).
  • A certified official student transcript (in English).
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • TOEFL (Internet-based: 61, Computer-Based: 173, or Paper-Based: 500), IELTS (5.0) or a Certificate of English proficiency