May 27th, 2010  - by Najam

ISLAMABAD: A group of 21 Pakistani students graduated from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok on Wednesday.  Two students completed Phd and Doctor of Engineering programmes respectively, while 19 finished their masters programmes. They were awarded degrees by AIT’s President Dr. Said Irandoust at AIT’s 113th Graduation Ceremony in Bangkok.
The Pakistani graduates belonged to diverse disciplines – including computer science, telecommunications, bio-process technology, mechatronics, micro-electronics, geo-technical and geo- environmental engineering, structural engineering, regional and rural development planning and business administration.  The graduation ceremony was attended by senior officials of Thai government, members of the diplomatic corps and families of graduating students.
Parents of some Pakistani students also travelled to Bangkok to be present on the occasion. Separately, the Pakistan Student Association (PSA) at AIT organized a special event at which appreciation certificates were awarded to the graduating Pakistani students.  Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Sohail Mahmood was the chief guest for the event.   Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood congratulated the graduating students on their accomplishment and urged them to constantly strive for professional excellence and called upon them to make their rightful contribution to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
He lauded the vision of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in providing scholarships to a large number of Pakistani students for pursuing Phd and Masters degrees programmes at AIT. The Ambassador also thanked AIT President Dr. Said Irandoust for his steadfast commitment and contribution to strengthening Pakistan-AIT partnership.

President Irandoust, for his part, emphasized the importance of Pakistan as AIT’s founding member country and reiterated his resolve to further deepen collaboration with institutions of higher learning in Pakistan.   In this context, he also noted the progress being made in the establishment of an AIT Centre in Pakistan.  Notably, Pakistanis constitute the third largest group of students at AIT after Thailand and Vietnam.   Over 100 students are currently pursuing Master and Phd degrees – making it the largest single group of Pakistani students on a single foreign campus.  Over 750 Pakistanis have graduated from AIT since 1961.

Source: News Agencies