The largest cohort of graduating students came from Sri Lanka (128), followed by Thailand (114), Myanmar (64), India (36), Vietnam (33), Nepal (32), Afghanistan (26), and Pakistan (13). A lone student from Colombia and USA represented their respective continents. Graduating students came from School of Engineering and Technology (289), School of Environment, Resources and Development (155), School of Management (30), and Inter-school programs(10).
Congratulating the graduates, AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai remarked that AIT is committed to preparing students not just for the needs of today, but more importantly to cater to the global demands of tomorrow. Prof. Worsak mentioned that the world is significantly different from the time when AIT was created in 1959. Today, globalization, the digital revolution, mass migration and the prospect of environment sustainability demands a new generation of graduates. The AIT President stated that the new graduates are now ready to serve as "globally responsible citizens."
Delivering the graduation address (afternoon session), Prof. Alastair M North, encouraged students to engage in forward thinking and lateral thinking. Prof. North, who has been AIT's longest-serving president (1983-1996), stated that AIT graduates had the honor of graduating from an international university. "No graduate from a national university is as ready to move into an international world as AIT graduates," Prof. North stressed. Speaking about the middle-income trap that has constricted many developing countries, Prof. North pointed out that though Thailand and Indonesia are the leading rubber producing countries in the world, the tyre business is controlled by companies from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Japan. This has to change, Prof. North added as he suggested a greater focus on research and development.
Graduation speaker (morning session), Dr. Kinley Tenzin, Executive Director of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Kingdom of Bhutan, stated that he could sense "a lot of energy, passion and promises" among the graduating students. He asked students to lead by example and become agents of change. "Positive examples are needed today from every individual, mainly from young minds like you who can lead our people and bring change; a change for a better world," Dr. Kinley said. Stating that humanity was on the cusp of making some important choices and decisions, he regretted that "average American children can recognize 1000 corporate logos but cannot identify 10 plants or animals native to their own region."
Prominent AIT alumni speeches were delivered by Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, President and CEO Bangchak Petroleum, and Prof. Nimal Rajapakse, Professor, School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada.