FU and Asian Institute of Technology Explore Areas of Collaboration

Foundation University executives, led by Chancellor Dr. Charlotte Carino, and Director of the Office of Partnerships and Global Engagements Cyril Mapula, met with a representative from Thailand-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to explore potential collaborations in the future. The exploratory discussion was joined by AIT’s Social Innovation Lead, Erwin Lizarondo, and examined the formalization of an agreement to establish a Campus Abroad Program in the following semesters.

The program will bring 20 to 40 students to Thailand for a 15-day immersion. They will be engaging with AIT’s innovation ecosystem, and will draw together a range of activities to develop social entrepreneurship and sustainability leadership. Under the arrangement, the Yunus Center AIT will provide facilities, instructors, logistical support, and program content delivery.

This initiative draws from AIT’s longstanding identity as one of the strongest international postgraduate, non-profit institutions in Thailand. Known for its strong research productivity, AIT consistently ranks among Thailand’s top universities in engineering and technology fields such as civil and infrastructure engineering, environmental management, and information and communications technology. The institute also leads in sustainability-related disciplines, including climate change studies, the water-energy-food-environment nexus, and smart community development.

AIT’s recognition in global higher education networks and its high standing in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for multiple SDGs highlight its commitment to sustainable education. This direction resonates with Foundation University’s academic priorities, and its current thrust toward integration, and the localization of the SDG agenda. The partnership builds upon the respective strengths of both universities and their mutual investment in sustainability, innovation, and socially-responsive education.

For Foundation University, this decision represents a concrete step towards its internationalization strategy. By building a network of transnational collaborations and extending the university’s reach into a global setting, these efforts strengthen institutional ties and introduce students and faculty to divergent approaches to education, research, and innovation.