1

Introduction

This introduction section includes brief introduction of the Asian Institute of Technology
(AIT) with its three schools and satellite centers, a chronology of tracer studies in AIT, and
tracer study of AIT graduates (2003 to mid 2008).
1.1

Asian Institute of Technology

As an autonomous, international, postgraduate institution; AIT was established in 1959 to

help meet the growing need for advanced education in Asia. Three schools and AIT
satellite centers provide advanced education, training and research in the areas of
engineering; environment and development; and management, to meet the needs of private
and public sectors. For more than five decades, AIT has been an active partner in the
promotion of technological change and development in the Asia-Pacific region. AIT today
has graduated more than 16,000 graduates from more than 80 countries, and currently has
an enrollment of over 1,800 full time students tutored by an international team of faculty
and staff drawn from all over the world. English is the medium of instruction and written
work, as well as the official administrative language. The brief introduction of the three
schools and AIT satellite centers is presented hereunder.
1.1.1

School of Environment, Resources and Development

The School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) is committed to play a

leadership role in the provision of excellent academic, research and outreach programme
that are relevant to the region. Through its academic programmes and outreach units,
SERD, AITs largest school, has been working towards capacity building and human
resources development in the areas of environment and resources management, poverty
alleviation and socio-economic/gender development. The mission of SERD is to respond
to regional needs by mobilizing and enhancing capacities for socially, economically and
environmentally sound development in partnership with the public and private sectors.
The school follows an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the technological, natural
and social sciences. The academic programs of SERD are designed to be responsive to the
regional needs in Poverty Reduction, Environmental Protection, and Sustainable
Development. They are categorized into three academic thrusts, namely: Bioresources,
Environment, and Energy and Development Studies. This school has the following fields
of study:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Agricultural Systems and Engineering

Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Management
Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology
Energy
Environmental Engineering and Management
Pulp and Paper Technology
Gender and Development Studies
Natural Resources Management
Regional and Rural Development Planning
Urban Environmental Management.

1.1.2

School of Engineering and Technology

School of Engineering and Technology (SET) is the synergistic integration in November

2005 of the two former Schools, namely, the School of Civil Engineering (SCE) and the
School of Advanced Technologies (SAT). Historically, these two schools came into
existence only in January 1993 when the Institute reorganized the need to reform its
academic structure from smaller-sized units called "Divisions" to larger bodies named
"Schools". The School of Civil Engineering (SCE) represented the legacy of AIT when it
was established with a single field of study in Hydraulics Engineering. Subsequently, other
civil engineering fields of study were launched to assist the recovery from the ravages of
the Second World War. SCE emphasized on a learning process that combines theoretical
problem-solving and real life application of engineering principles. Its research orientation
was outward-looking, addressing the actual and anticipated needs of the built environment.
The School of Advanced Technologies (SAT) had different fields of study that were
launched in response to the needs of the regional industrialization in the second and third
decades of AIT's existence. The School was committed to being international,
multidisciplinary centers of excellence in Information, Communications, Industrial
Systems, and Space Technologies through education, research and outreach.
SET amalgamating SCE and SAT is striving to create synergies between the activities of
the two former schools to build up world-class multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary
education, research and outreach activities across the boundaries of traditional fields of
knowledge. More interdisciplinary programs are being launched so faculty members can
work effectively across the disciplinary walls. The new school is enhancing its academic
portfolio by emphatically injecting the "5I" features namely internationality, innovation,
integration, information technology and industrial partnership. SET is comprised of the
three broad groups and several fields of studies which are listed hereunder.
The Civil and Infrastructure Engineering group includes the following field of studies:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CEIM)

Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering (GTE)
Geosystem Exploration and Petroleum GeoEngineering (GEPG)
Structural Engineering (STE)
Transportation Engineering (TRE)
Water Engineering and Management (WEM)

The Industrial Systems Engineering (ISE) group is comprised of the following field of
studies:
1. Mechatronics (MEC)
2. Microelectronics (MIC)
3. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME)

The fields in the Information and Communications group are:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Computer Science (CS)

Information Management (IM)
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (RS-GIS)
Telecommunications (TC)

1.1.3

School of Management

The School of Management (SOM) has academic programs which are of international
standard and are adapted to the needs and challenges of the economies in an increasingly
competitive region. SOM offers MBA, PhD, Executive MBA and DBA Programs. All
academic programs are conducted in English. The MBA Program encourages participative
learning and use a variety of interactive learning methodologies. Programs are designed
for students to learn latest management concepts, techniques and tools, but more
importantly, to develop skills and attitude of listening and understanding others, holistic
thinking, collective decision making, leading by example, communicating, negotiating,
and being sensitive to societal concerns. SOM provides exceptional individuals with a
supportive environment in which they can develop their skills and aptitudes, helping them
to reach their professional goals and to serve the interests of countries in the Asia-Pacific
region. The curriculum is necessarily interdisciplinary, integrating as it consists elements
from engineering, economics, social psychology and management fields. It is structured in
such a way as to include the integrated components of the school required courses,
electives or focus courses, and/or an MBA Project or Research Study.
There are three distinct Executive MBA Programs - EMBA in Bangkok, EMBA - Human
Resources Management (EMBA-HRM) and International EMBA (iEMBA) in Vietnam.
The three EMBA programs have different segmentation and cater to management context
of each segment. All the EMBA programs are of equal value and quality aiming at
different target groups. SOM offers two distinct doctoral programs - PhD and DBA. The
PhD program focuses on research work embedded in theories from social sciences and
humanities, and prepares students for teaching and research-related jobs. DBA is a
professional doctorate program, where the research is rooted in the context of professional
practice making a significant contribution to management practice, policy or strategy. The
two programs have different segmentation and cater to research context of each segment.
Both programs are of equal value and quality aiming at different target groups. Both
involve the development of substantial standard research work.
1.1.4

AIT Satellite Centers

It was in 1993 when AIT Center in Vietnam (AITCV) was established in Vietnam and has
been functional through both major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Now it is wellstructured in operation and is widely recognized. Flexibility and continuous search for
innovation and creativity characterize AITCV. It serves as a bridge between the University,
Society and Industry. And this forms the essence of our vision: to be an international
gateway for technology transfer supporting national development, education and outreach
activities to achieve the best efficiency, responsiveness and quality. AITCV activities can
be classified by 3 main kinds as listed below:
1. Academic programs, including Two-stage Masters, Executive Master, Professional
Masters; International Masters of Advanced Studies, and Doctoral programs
(DBA),
2. Short-term training courses specialized in many fields, including Management and
Business, Environment and Development, Language and Training, Advanced
Technologies, etc. and,
3. Consultancy services.

It was in mid 2006 when AIT Center in Indonesia (AIT-CI) was established as a
collaborative institution for Human Resource Development located in Bangdung,
Indonesia to facilitate and work on research and development, consultancy, professional
trainings and higher education program according to Indonesian regulations.
AIT-CI was established based on collaboration between Asian Institute of Technology
(AIT) Thailand and The Government of Indonesia (GOI) represented by Ministry of
Public Works (MPW) Indonesia. AIT-CI has clearly mentioned its vision to be the best
education institution in providing the best human resources in regional and international
level. AIT-CI has a mission which can be divided into the three short term objectives,
namely, (1) spreading out of science and technology which has been developed by AIT to
support development in Indonesia, especially in the field of construction industries; (2)
increasing quality of human resources in Indonesia through professional trainings and
higher education programs such as certificate and diploma programs leading to master's
and doctoral programs; and (3) Increasing regional partnership and collaboration in the
field of science and technology, information management, research and development,
training and education. AIT-CI has already started the dual master degree program on
transportation engineering and management. This program is tailor made to meet the need
of capacity building for the Directorate General of Highway.
1.2

Trace Studies in AIT

The tracer study of AIT graduates has been one of the important research activities in AIT.
The first tracer study was done in 1971. The periodic tracing of AIT alumni focuses on
updating the alumni directory and gathering certain information required for the
improvement of AIT curriculum, teaching, research, extension, and networking. As of
January, 2009, altogether 14 AIT Alumni tracer studies have been conducted, including
this one, Tracer Study of AIT Graduates (2003 to mid 2008), which also includes Tracer
Study of AIT Graduates with Norwegian Scholarship (2005 to mid 2008). These all are
listed hereunder in chronological order:
1. Enquiry into the Whereabouts of AIT Graduates (unpublished survey, 1971).
2. Questionnaire to the AIT Graduates (unpublished survey, 1973).
3. Alumni Tracer Study and Employer Survey (covering the years of graduation from 1961
until 1976; published in 1978).
4. Revised Tracer Study on Alumni from 1976 -1979 and Alumni Directory 1961 - 1979
(published in 1980).
5. Tracer Study and Directory of Alumni for the Period 1961 - 1981 (published in 1982).
6. Tracer Study 1961 - 1984 Alumni (published in 1985).
7. AIT Alumni 1961 - 1987 Tracer Study (published in 1990).
8. 1990 Alumni Tracer Study (published in 1991)
9. AIT Alumni 1961 - 1990 Employer Study. Interim Report on Preliminary Findings
(published in 1992).
10. AIT Women Graduates Tracer Study, 1961 - 1990 (Asian Women and Technological
Careers, 1992).
11. AIT Alumni Tracer Study (published 1993).
12. Tracer Study of AIT Alumnae and Alumni with German Scholarship or Fellowship, 1972 1999 (published in 2002).
13. Tracer Study: Urban Environmental Management Graduates, 1998 - 2005 (published in
2006).
14. Tracer Study of AIT Graduates, 2003 - Mid 2008 (published in 2009).

1.3

Tracer Study of AIT Graduates 2009

It has been found that alumni tracer studies are the most important vehicle to build strong
bonds between the Alma Mater and the ever-increasing graduates. This is feasible through
two perspectives. From one perspective, the alumni are the rich source of feedback for
improvements in the course curriculum, teaching, research, extension, and networking. On
the other, the tracer study helps to measure the extent of professional and academic careers
pursued by the graduates after gaining knowledge and skill through academic institutions
like Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Starting from 1971 to date altogether 14 tracer
studies of AIT graduates have been done in different formats and with different foci. The
latest tracer study was conducted in 2008/09 targeting recent past graduates (2005 to mid
2008) with an additional separate report for the AIT Graduates with Norwegian
Scholarship (2005 to mid 2008). This tracer study also employed both parametric and nonparametric statistical tools in the data analysis and interpretation. The total population for
this study was constituted by all the AIT graduates who graduated in between 2003 to mid
2008. They were 3996 including 2491 male AIT graduates and 1505 female AIT graduates
belonging to 60 countries and territories. Since female AIT graduates constitute a
substantial number, the gender analyses were also made feasible in some aspects of this
tracer study.
1.3.1

Objectives of Tracer Study of AIT Graduates 2009

1. To find out the effectiveness and relevance of AIT degree as a resource and credential
for employment/job placement upon graduation from AIT; employment opportunities
for graduates for both men and women.
2. To find out the relevance of AIT courses/curricula and research to the current job
function and professional development in respective fields, and furthering
academic/scientific pursuits.
3. To find out the professional status and ranks of the AIT graduates in their respective
employments.
4. To assess the level of networking among AIT graduates and recommendations to
strengthen the existing network among them.
5. To assess the gender awareness of AIT graduates in their respective professions.
6. To assess the contribution of AIT graduates in the development of their home
countries and of the region; including contribution to poverty alleviation and to fulfill
AITs mission.

1.3.2

Organizational Structure of the Tracer Study of AIT Graduates 2009

The whole report is divided into the three major parts: pre-introduction (title page,
foreword, preface, acknowledgement, executive summary, table of contents, list of
abbreviations); appendices (appendix tables, coordination schema, questionnaires, and list
of respondents); and main body which is comprised of 12 sections, namely, 1)
Introduction, 2) Research Design,3) AIT Graduates, 4) Graduates before Studies at AIT,
5) Studies at AIT, 6) Feedback on Teaching, Research and Services, 7) Career Decision
and Employments, 8) Relevancies and Effectiveness, 9) Developmental Activities and
Networking, 10) Partnerships and Suggestions, 11) Perspectives of Employers and Peers
on AIT Graduates, and 12) Key Findings and Recommendations.

Research Design

The research design covered two major aspects: conceptual framework and the entire
research process. The conceptual framework depicts the types and levels of research,
survey organization, followed by data processing and outputs (Figure 2.1). The entire
research process included different activities performed in terms of survey organization,
data collection, data analysis, and report writing.
Fig. 2.1:

Conceptual Framework of Tracer Study of AIT Graduates (2003 mid 2008)

RESEARCH
Level

Type

Evaluatory

Individual

Exploratory

SURVEY
ORGANIZATIONON
Approach
Census survey of
AIT graduates (2003
-2008)
Survey of
Employers
Survey of Peers

Aggregate

Methods

Mail Questionnaire
By post
By email
Through
website

Personal Interview by
Researcher
Project staff
Focal person
Research assistant

DATA PROCESSING AND OUTPUTS

Data entry
- Defining variables
- Defining variable
labels
- Defining values
- SPSS spread sheet

Data analysis
Data updating
Data validating
Parametric and nonparametric statistics
Case summaries

Outputs
Tables
Charts and
Graphs
Draft report
Final report
-

2.1

Survey Organization

Organization of the survey included activities related to preparing coordination schema

(Appendix 13.2); questionnaires for the AIT graduates (Appendix 13.3), their employers
(Appendix 13.4) and peers (Appendix 13.5); and updating the alumni addresses or the
contact details. The questionnaire for the AIT graduates (2003 mid 2008) was developed
based on coordination schema, which included seven sections, namely, idiographic data;
earlier status (before studying at AIT); feedback on teaching, research, and services at AIT;
career decision immediately after graduation from AIT; relevancy / effectiveness of AIT
studies in professional career; alumni involved in developmental activities and
networking; and AIT alumni suggestions for partnership with AIT. Pre-testing of the
questionnaires was followed by a final version of the questionnaires.
In order to get the work done in time, the researcher was fully assisted by two full time
junior researchers (Research Associate and Research Assistants), two Student Assistants,
and some Focal Persons from the countries with higher number of AIT graduates (2003
mid 2008). The junior researchers mainly involved in survey organization, data collection
and data entry. Focal Persons and Student Assistants helped in updating contact details of
the target AIT graduates and also requesting and reminding them to return the completed
questionnaires to the Alumni Tracer Study office at AIT.
2.2

Data Collection

The data collection is one of most important features of this tracer study. The population of
this tracer study constituted by the entire AIT graduates between 2003 and mid-2008,
which total 3998 (M : F = 2492 : 1506). However, two AIT graduates (one male from
Cambodia and one female from Nepal) were found untimely passed away and therefore
the target population of AIT graduates became 3996 (M : F = 2491 : 1505). These
graduates are from 60 countries and
territories. Except in the situation where face
to face interview was possible, the target
AIT graduates (2003 mid 2008) were sent
questionnaire either by post and email or
requested for the online submission. A few
employer and peers were directly met by the
researcher and inquired their impression on
AIT graduates and AIT itself. Focal Persons Focal Person of Cambodia updating contact details of Target Graduates
were mobilized to ensure the receipt of
questionnaires by each AIT graduate (2003 - mid 2008) presently living in his or her home
country. In addition, they were requested to send reminders for filling and sending the
completed questionnaires to AIT. The field visits were made to six countries, namely,
Cambodia, Loa PDR, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar. The intensive use of local
and international telephone services were made to update contact details of the target
alumni and to request them to return completed questionnaires.
2.3

Data Analysis and Report Writing

The commonly used Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), latest version (16) used
to enter and analyze data. Before venturing into the data analysis, data updating and

validating were done. As per requirements, some intervening variables were developed for
cross-tabulations. The World Banks classifications for region and the economic
classification for countries as shown below were also used for cross-tabulations.
Classification of Countries of the Target AIT Graduate by Region and Economic Categories
Countries of the Target AIT Graduates
Africa, Middle East and
Malawi, Mozambique , Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, Cameroon, Egypt, Iran,
Latin America
Morocco, Venezuela, and Ethiopia,
Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
East Asia and Pacific
Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Tibet, Timor-leste, Taiwan, Indonesia,
China, Japan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Lao PDR,
Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand
Europe
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Russia,
Poland, and France
South Asia
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and
Nepal
North America
Canada and United States of America

Region

Economic Classification
Low Income

Lower Middle Income

Upper Middle Income
High Income

Malawi , Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, Cameroon, Ethiopia,

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tibet, Timor-leste, Mongolia, Myanmar, Lao PDR,
Cambodia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and
Nepal
Egypt, Iran, Morocco , Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia,
China, Philippines, Thailand, Bulgaria, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Maldives,
Venezuela, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Poland
Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and United States of
America,

Source: World Development Indicators Database, World Bank

(http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20420458~menuPK:64133156~pagePK:641331
50~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html)

Both parametric and non-parametric statistical tools were used for data analyses. The
parametric tools (such as Means, Standard Deviation, Standard Error, Comparing means
through t-Test and ANOVA) was used when data have the characteristics of probability
and normal distribution characteristics. The non parametric tools (such as Spearmans
rank correlation coefficient, Chi-square test, Correspondence analysis and Wilcoxon
related sample tests) were used when data have ranking but no clear numerical
interpretation. The analyzed data were presented into tabular and graphical forms and
discussions were made in the respective text of the report.
2.4

Scope and Limitation

The study has a wider scope since it covers cross sectional data of 22 countries from South
Asia, Southeast Asia and Pacific, Europe, and Africa. The substantial proportion of female
was found in both target population (38%) and respondent graduates (40%), which
provided sufficient ground for gender analyses on various aspects of AIT education and
graduates professional advancements. A full attempt was made to get the completed
questionnaire from all the target AIT graduates (3996), however, 1121 (28%) of them
could send their completed questionnaire and this rate of response could not be increased
due to several limitations related to time, budget, contact addresses, coordination between
senior and junior alumni, and language.

3
3.1

AIT Graduates

Graduation and Academic Degrees Awarded in AIT

AIT conducted the 110th graduation ceremony on 17 December 2008. Until this date and
including the degrees offered in this graduation ceremony, AIT has awarded altogether 16,
201 academic degrees in terms of Diploma, masters [MBA, MBA (E), M. Eng., M. Eng.
(P), M. Sc., M. Sc. (P)], and doctoral degrees (D. Eng., D. Tech. Sc. and Ph. D). as
presented in Figure 3.1. It is evident that M. Eng. degree alone has been received by more
than 50 percent of the total awardees. These academic degrees were received by the
students of 82 countries of Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
Figure 3.1: Total AIT Academic Degrees Awarded as of December 2008

Source: AIT Graduation Book, 110th Graduation, 19 December 2008.

The study intended to look at the effect of AIT degrees in the professional and academic
career paths of the recent past graduates (2003 to mid 2008). Therefore, a few details on
academic degrees by the target and respondent graduates and gender is presented
hereunder.
3.2 Target
Graduates

Table 3.1:Target Population by Degree, Year of Graduation and Gender

Graduation
Academic Degree
Graduates by gender
Year
Master
Doctor
Diploma
Total
Male
Female
Total
2003
677
55
12
744
492
252
744
2004
479
53
4
536
339
197
536
2005
704
46
3
753
457
296
753
2006
684
62
4
750
473
276
749
2007
698
80
1
779
472
306
778
2008
419
18
1
438
259
179
438
Total
3661
314
25
4000
2492
1506
3998

Table
3..1
clearly
indicates that
3998 target
graduates
A female graduated in 2003 and a male graduated in 2005 passed way, hence, the actual target population becomes 3996.
received
4000 academic degrees due to the fact that two target graduates got both masters and
doctoral degrees from AIT. Again out of the total 3998 target population, two were
9

untimely passed way (one female from Nepal and one male from Cambodia), hence the
real target population was 3996, which included 62 percent males and 38 percent females.
More than 91 percent of the target graduates received masters degree followed by
doctoral (8%) and diploma (1%). Although these graduates represent 60 countries more
than 53% percent belong to Thailand (27%) and Vietnam (26.5%). The other countries
with large number of target graduates
are India (6%) followed by Bangladesh
and Nepal (5% each), Myanmar, China,
and Cambodia (4% each), Lao PDR
(3%), Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan,
and France (2% each), and Bhutan,
Philippines and Korea (1%). Rest of the
other countries has less than 1 percent
target alumni (Appendix Table 3.1). The
highest proportion of target graduates
(74%) were found from East Asia and
Pacific region followed by South Asia
(21%), and 5 percent from other regions
such as Europe, Africa, Middle East and Latin America, Central Asia, and North America.
Being located in Asia and focusing on the production of highly capable human resources
in this region, it
is obvious that
95 percent of the
target graduates
belong to Asia
region
alone.
Following the
World
Banks
classification of
the countries by
income
categories it was
found that the
highest proportion of the target graduates (58%) from low income countries (LIC)
followed 37 percent target graduates from lower middle income countries (LMC), 4
percent graduates from high income countries (HIC) and remaining 1 percent graduates
from upper middle income countries (UMC). This also indicates that 95 percent of the
target graduates belong to LIC
and
LMC
sufficiently
indicating that AIT has been
producing human resources for
the economic growth and the
sustainable development of
LIC and LMC.
3.3 Respondent Graduates
Altogether 1121 submitted
their completed questionnaires and these graduates are considered respondent or
responding graduates hereafter. Figure 3.4 reveals that these respondent graduates were

10

mainly from East Asia and Pacific (83%) and South Asia (17%). Out of the 60 target
countries response were received from 22 countries which consisted 3889 (97%) percent
of the target population. There were 21 countries having each one target graduate, 7
countries with each 2 target graduates. Altogether there were 39 countries having less than
5 target graduates (Appendix Table 1). The highest number of respondent (408) was from
Thailand which is 38% of the total Thai target graduates. The second highest number was
from Vietnam (389) which is 37 percent of the total Vietnamese target population.
Amongst the countries having more than 50 target AIT graduates the highest percentage of
response (41%) received from Nepal. Out of total respondent graduates, 600 (54%) sent
the completed questionnaires by email as an attachment files, 426 respondents (38%)
submitted through online and remaining 95 respondents (8%) sent by post or directly to
the researcher by hand delivery.
The large majority (58%) of the respondent graduates were from LIC followed by 41
percent from LMC. The remaining one percent was constituted by 5 and 2 respondent
graduates belong to HIC and UMC, respectively (Fig. 3.5). This is also visible that the
focus of AIT is
more on LIC and
LMC of Asia
region.
The
gender
distribution
of
target graduates
and
respondent
graduates
was
found more or less
same. There were
38 per cent of female graduates in the target population and 40 percent of the total
respondents. Figure 3.6 shows the distribution of total graduates by graduation year. It
indicates that there was less number of graduates in 2004 and 2008. The number of
graduates in 2008 could be more if whole year taken into account. Instead, only those were
included who graduated until mid 2008.

11

The further analysis on Figure 3.6 was done by viewing gender proportion in different
graduation years. The proportion of female graduates was ranging from 37 to 43 in the
target population and 33 to 47 in the respondent population. The target and respondent
proportion of female is 37 and 33 in 2003 graduation year, 41 and 39 in the 2004
graduation year, 42 and 41 in 2005 graduation year, 40 and 38 in 2006 graduation year, 44
and 40 in 2007 graduation year, and 43 and 47 in 2008 graduation year, respectively
3.4 Reason for Targeting Recent Graduates
There were two important reasons of targeting recent past graduates (2003 to mid 2005)
for this tracer studies. One reason was to look at the relevancy and effectiveness of the
AIT degrees, courses, and research activities to the current changing context of the region.
The second reason was based on the hypothesis that the finding and contacting the recent
graduates would be easier so that response rate could be maximized. From the analysis of
the proportion of the target as well as the respondent graduates as against to the each
graduation year under consideration also supported this hypothesis. The relative
proportion of the respondent graduates is higher in the recent graduation year and found in
increasing trend. However, while conducting research, a full cooperation and help was
requested from the AITAA mother chapter and corresponding national chapters and from
other AIT alumni. Following picture on the meeting with AITAA national chapter
executive members including President and the recent AIT graduates is one of the
examples for this matter.

12

Discussions with the representative of recent AIAT graduates and the executive
committee members of AITAA Myanmar National Chapter.

Graduates
before Studying at AIT

Considering very few but important aspects of the AIT graduates before their studies in
AIT; an small attempt was made to inquire about their last or highest academic degrees,
sources of information on knowing study programs at AIT, job experiences, and main
reason to pursue post graduate studies at AIT.
4.1

Academic Degrees before Studying at AIT

The analyses of the highest or last academic

degrees of the respondent AIT graduates were
made. Out of 1121 respondents 1064 (95%)
mentioned their academic degrees which they
had obtained before studying in AIT. Based on
actual responses it was found that 86 percent of
them had bachelor degrees followed by masters
degrees (14%). When the academic background
before AIT was inquired, 64 percent of the total
respondent reported their academic backgrounds. Majority of the actual respondent
graduates (42%) had the engineering background followed by science (38%) and of
humanities and social sciences (20%). The humanities and social science covers several
subjects such as arts, economics,
law, commerce and accountancy.
The target AIT graduates were
inquired about the country of the
last degree obtained before
joining AIT for which 1090 (97%)
provided their responses. Out of

13

the actual respondents, 1000 (92%) had got the highest or last academic degrees from their
own countries. The remaining 90 (8%) respondents had received their last degrees before
studying at AIT from other than their own countries. The foreign countries gone for
studies for the last degree before AIT were Japan for a Bangladeshi, India for 5 out of 8
Bhutanese, Thailand and Russia for 1 and 2 Cambodian, respectively, USA for a Pakistani,
Ireland for an Ethiopian, Byelorussia for a Pilipino, France for an Indian, Germany,
Australia and Hungary for each one Laotian, and England for a graduate from Myanmar.
There were 18 Nepali receiving degrees from India (7), Thailand (4) Bangladesh (3), and
each one from the Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines and USA. Likewise, 27 Thai
received degrees from various countries such as Australia, Canada, UK, Japan, the
Netherlands, USA, and Philippines. Similarly, 16 respondent graduates from Vietnam
received their last degree before AIT from several countries such as Byelorussia, Ukraine,
Romania, Russia, France, UK, Switzerland and Thailand.
The target AIT graduates were inquired about their institute or university from where the
highest degrees were obtained. The university with more frequencies based on the
information provided by respondent graduates are Kasetsart University, Chulalongkorn
University, Thamasart University, Mahidol University, King Mongkut's Institute of
Technology Ladkrabang, Khon Kaen University, Chiangmai University, and Assumption
University in Thailand; IET-Kanpur, Delhi University, and Government College of
Architecture, Lakhnau in India, Peshawar University in Pakistan, Petra Christian
University in Indonesia, Yangon Institute of Technology in Myanmar, the Khulna
University, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Dhaka University, Bangladesh University
of Engineering and Technology, University of Chittagong, and University of Rajshahi in
Bangladesh; the Royal University of Bhutan in Bhutan; National University of
Management and Royal University of Cambodia in Cambodia; National University of
Laos and Rattana Business Administration College in Lao PDR; Myanmar Institute of
Theology in Myanmar; Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University in Nepal;
University of Ruhuna, University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, and University of
Moratuwa in Sri Lanka; Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Hue University of
Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University of Sciences; Danag University, Hanoi University
of Sciences, Hanoi National University, Hanoi University of Technology, Hanoi Medical
University, Hanoi University of Foreign Studies, Hanoi University of Foreign languages,
Nha Trang University of Fisheries, Can Tho University, Transport Development Strategy
Institute, and Water Resources University in Vietnam.
4.2

Graduation Year and Field of Specialization

The graduation year for the last degree before studying at AIT of the target graduates were
also inquired and found a huge range from 1976 to 2007. However, the larger number of
respondents indicated that they were graduated mostly during the five years period of 2001
to 2005 (Figure 4.3).

14

The specialization of the earlier studies before enrolling in AIT covered various fields such
as agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, aquaculture, fisheries, botany,
biotechnology, chemistry, geology, geography, environmental science, economics,
business administration, finance and banking, transportation, civil engineering, electrical
engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, natural resources,
forestry, geography, public administration, public health, leather technology, land
management, architecture, limnology, welfare studies, sociology, rural development,
international relations, and English language.
4.3

Knowing about Studies at AIT

The various sources of information for knowing about studies at AIT were inquired. In
response, 526 responded their multiple responses as presented in Figure 4.4. Out of the
526 actual respondent graduates, 268 (51%) reported that they knew about studies in AIT
through AIT alumni. Then parents/relatives/friends were the second most important
sources of information as reported by 230 (44%) respondent graduates followed by former
university professors (35%), advertisement in TV (31%), former classmates (27%),
employer and co-worker (26%), AIT faculty and AIT Homepage (22% each),
advertisement through radio and FM (18%), university placement office (14%), and
advertisement in Newspaper (13%).

15

Thirty-seven respondent graduates specified other sources of information among them 33

indicated the collaborative programs with AIT informed them to study in AIT, 2 got the
information from education fair, and one from social gatherings and the last one got the
information after visiting AIT.

4.4
Work Experiences before Enrolling in AIT
The target AIT graduates were inquired about their work experiences if they had any
before studying at AIT. Ninety-eight percent (1094) of the 1121 respondent graduates
responded on their job experiences before AIT and
amongst them, 860 (79%) said that they had work
experiences (Figure 4.5). Their work experiences
were ranging from 2 months to 25 years and 9
months. This means a large majority of the target
alumni had work experiences before coming to AIT
for postgraduate studies. A large majority (39%) had
work duration in between 2 to less than 5 years
before studying AIT followed by 5 to 10 years of
duration (24%), 1 to less than two years (16%) and
even more than 10 years (15%). A small proportion
of them (6%) indicated that they had work
experience of than one year (Figure 4.6). Out of 860

16

respondents graduates who had job before AIT 835 graduates (97%) reported their main
employer types.
4.5

Type of Employer before AIT

Figure 4.7 clearly reveals that the academic and research institutions and central
government were main employers for the majority of the respondent graduates as
indicated by 23 percent of the 835
respondent graduates for both type of
employers. The second important employers
was reported as the private sector (22%)
followed by international / regional
organization
(9%),
non-governmental
organization and public service utility
providers (6% each), and financial
institution (3%).
4.6

Type of Individual Main Function at Work before AIT

Altogether 816 respondent graduates indicated the type of main function at work before
AIT. Forty-one percent of them reported project implementation as individual main
function at work
followed
by
Table 4.1: Type of Main Function at Work before AIT
Frequency
Percent
management (28%), Main Function (Multiple Response)
Project
Implementation
334
40.9
teaching
(22%),
225
27.6
research analysis / Management
Teaching
179
21.9
policy inputs (21%)
Research
Analysis
/
Policy
Inputs
167
20.5
and knowledge and
Knowledge and Information
156
19.1
information
Dissemination
dissemination
(19%).
4.7

Job Position before AIT by Gender

All the target graduates were requested to provide the job position and out of the 860
graduates who had job before AIT 841 reported their job positions. All the jobs were
classified into 7 categories and no one was found for the executive level of job position
before studying AIT. More than 40 percent of the responding graduates from both genders
have Junior Professional level of jobs followed by Middle Management (24%) in male
graduates and Junior Management among the female graduates before AIT (Table 4.2).
When
job
Table 4.2: Job Position before AIT by Gender
position across
Job
position
Male
%
Female
%
Total
%
the
economic
222
43.4
135
40.9
357
42.4
classification of Junior Professional
Junior
Management
61
11.9
73
22.1
134
15.9
the
countries
Middle Management
120
23.5
64
19.4
184
21.9
were analyzed it
Middle Professional
98
19.2
54
16.4
152
18.1
was found that
Senior Professional
3
0.6
3
0.9
6
0.7
majority of the Senior Management
7
1.4
1
0.3
8
1.0
AIT
graduates Total
511
100.0
330
100.0 841 100.0
17

before AIT had Junior Professional level of job in all economies ranging from low income
countries (LIC) to high income countries (HIC) which is evident from Table 4.3.
Table 4.3: Job Position before AIT by Economic Categories of Countries
Economic Classification of Countries
Total
%
LIC
%
LMC %
UMC %
HIC %
Senior Management
7
1.4
1
0.3
0
0.0
0
0.0
8
Middle Management
129
25.4
54
16.5
0
0.0
1
25.0
184
Junior Management
91
17.9
42
12.8
0
0.0
1
25.0
134
Senior Professional
2
0.4
4
1.2
0
0.0
0
0.0
6
Middle Professional
80
15.7
71
21.6
0
0.0
1
25.0
152
Junior Professional
199
39.2
156
47.6
1 100.0
1
25.0
357
Total
508 100.0
328 100.0
1 100.0
4 100.0
841
Job position

4.8

1.0
21.9
15.9
0.7
18.1
42.4
100.0

Job Satisfaction and Salary Level before AIT

Regarding job satisfaction, 721 responding graduates supplied information and based on
which it was found that seventy-four
percent of the respondent AIT graduates
were satisfied with the job they had before
studying at AIT. Interestingly, both male
and female graduates were found exactly
the same level of dissatisfaction (26%)
with the jobs they had before AIT (Figure
4.8). Out of the total respondent AIT
graduates, 815 provided the information on
salary level of their jobs before AIT. They
were requested to select the given range of
salary starting from less than 100 US $ per
month to more than 3000 US$ per month.
Majority of female respondent (41%) and
male respondent (38%) were found receiving in the range of 201 to 500 US$ per month
followed by almost equal two categories of income 100 to 200 and 501 to 1000 US$ per
month by both gender (Table 4.4).
Table 4.4: Salary before AIT by Gender
Salary (US$/Month)
< 100
100 to 200
201 to 500
501 to 1000
1001 to 2000
2001 to 3000
> 3000
Total

Male
56
107
192
108
27
7
7
504

By considering the mid value of range

for each responding graduate the
mean salary was calculated in terms
of gender, economic categories, and

%
11.1
21.2
38.1
21.4
5.4
1.4
1.4
100.0

Female
42
61
127
62
15
4
0
311

%
13.5
19.6
40.8
19.9
4.8
1.3
0.0
100.0

Total
98
168
319
170
42
11
7
815

%
12.0
20.6
39.1
20.9
5.2
1.3
0.9
100.0

Table 4.5: Salary before AIT by Gender, Economic

Categories, and Region (US$/Month)
Aspects
Gender
Economic
Classification

18
Region
Total (average)

Male
Female
LIC
LMC
UMC
HIC
Southeast Asia and Pacific
South Asia
Europe and Central Asia
Sub Saharan Africa

Mean
Salary
495
440
378
609
750
2000
488
375
2250
150
474

broad regions. Table 4.5 clearly reveals that, on an average, female graduates were
receiving less salary than males. A wide range of variation was found from 378 US$ per
month in LIC to 2000 US$ per month in HIC. The regional variation was also found to
wide from 150 US$ per month in Sub Saharan Africa to 2250 US$ per month in Europe
and Central Asia. The mean salary of female respondent graduates, and respondent from
LIC and Sub Saharan Africa had salary even below the total average (474 US$/month).
4.9

Driving Factor to Study in AIT

Out of 982 responding Majority (44%) respondent graduates indicated that main driving
factor to study in AIT was professional advancement followed by academic career
advancement (40%) and to enter into a new field (16%).

5
5.1

Studies at AIT

Target Graduates by School

From the inception, AIT has been playing a leading role in Asia by offering lot of
opportunities for postgraduate studies in several fields of studies. AIT has a vision to
become a leading and unique regional multicultural institution of higher learning, offering
state-of-the-art education, research and training in technology, management and societal
development. However, as mentioned earlier, the SET had synergistic integration in
November 2005 of the two former Schools, namely, the School of Civil Engineering
(SCE) and the School of
Advanced Technologies
Figure 5.1: Target Graduates by Schools and Graduation Year
(SAT). Therefore, some
graduates under SAT
350
and SCE were kept on
300
receiving degrees until
250
2006 then after SET
200
started to take the full
150
responsibility of the then
SAT and SCE as well.
100
Figure 5.1 clearly sows
50
0
2003

2004

19
SERD

2005

2006

2007

2008

Graduation Year
SOM

SAT

SET

SCE

N
u
m
b
e
r

that there were largest graduates from SERD in 2003, 2007 and 2008. Similarly, SOM
produced largest number in 2004 and 2005. Likewise, SET produced the largest number in
2006. AT present there are three schools, namely, SERD, SET, and SOM which have been
playing a leading role to meet the overall mission of AIT. Therefore, these three schools
will be considered for the analysis hereafter.
5.2

Respondent Graduates by School

The respondent graduates (1121)

had got different academic
degrees
through
different
schools. Figure 5.2 shows that
the largest proportion of the
respondent graduates (40%) was
from SET (summation of SAT
and SCE until 2006 and alone
thereafter) followed by SERD
(38%) and SOM (22%). The
various
academic
degrees
received by the respondent graduates with their filed of studies during their studies in AIT
are presented hereunder. The long lasting impression of AIT was also inquired with the
AIT graduates during the meetings conducted by the researcher in different countries and
therefore mentioned at the end of this section.
5.3

Academic Degrees Received by Respondent Graduates

As of May 2008, the total respondent graduates (1121) had received 1123 academic
degrees. The two responding graduates had received both masters and doctoral degrees
from AIT. Among these 1123 academic degrees, the largest proportion was found for
Masters of Engineering (M
Eng) degree (41%) followed by
Masters of Science (M Sc)
degree (28%), Masters of
Business Administration (MBA
including executive MBA)
degree (22%). Figure 5.3 also
reveals about the doctoral
degrees received by the
respondent AIT graduates as
well. Doctor of Engineering (D
Eng) degree was received by
the higher proportion of
respondent graduates (4%)
followed by Doctor of Philosophy (Ph D) degree (3%) and Doctor of Technical Science (D
Tech Sc) degree (2%). Table 5.1: Respondent AIT Graduates by Degree and Gender
When these degrees were
Male
Female
looked from the gender
Degree
Total (N)
nm
% (nm / N)
nf
% (nf / N)
perspective it was found
M
Eng
464
352
75.9
112
24.1
that females received
M
Sc
314
141
44.9
173
55.1
higher number of degrees
MBA
D Eng
D Tech
Sc
Ph D
Total

247
45
22

122
38

49.4
84.4

125
7

50.6
15.6

20

36.4

14

63.6

31
1123

17
678

54.8
60.4

14
445

45.2
39.6

in science and management studies and very low in engineering fields. Table 5.1 indicates
that majority (55%) of the total degrees in M Sc was received by women and they were
also receiving slightly more than 50 percent of MBA degrees. In case of doctoral degrees,
female responding graduates had higher D. Tech Sc degrees (63%) compared to male
responding graduates. In totality, about 40 percent of the degrees were found received by
the responding female graduates.
5.4

Field of Study of the Respondent Graduates

The field of studies of both masters and doctoral respondent graduates was reviewed. Out
of the 1121 total respondent graduates, 1023 had received masters degrees alone and 96 of
them had received doctoral degrees alone. However, 2 respondent graduates had studied
both masters and doctoral degree programs and received both degrees from AIT.
Therefore in master program there are 1025 persons indicating studying in 38 different
filed of studies. The Appendix Tables 5.2 and 5.3 reveal the various field of study from
which the respondent AIT graduates had studied for Masters and Doctoral Program,
respectively. While study masters degree, about 18 percent of the respondent graduates
studied in international business and management related field of studies in both AIT and
Vietnam under SOM followed by environmental engineering and man agent (9%), energy
(6%), computer science, telecommunication, information and communication
technologies, and urban environmental management (each 4%). Incase of the doctoral
program the higher proportion of the respondent graduates were from the energy related
field of studies (9%) followed by international business and management related and
environmental engineering and management (each 8%), and transportation engineering
and industrial engineering (each 6%).
5.5

Lasting Impression

Several meetings were conducted in different countries of the target and respondent
graduates during the time of field visits by the researcher. They were inquired about the
lasting impression on AIT. Their most important impression was that their study at AIT
trained them to work efficiently and long hours. This has been helpful to them for their
professional career advancements and achievements. The learning environment also
reported as one of the unforgettable aspects of AIT which helped to build their selfconfidence. The sport facilities and location as well as landscaping of AIT are other long
lasting memories of the AIT graduates.

21

Feedbacks on Teaching,
Research and Services

This section is all about the feedback of the respondent AIT graduates on the quality of
teaching, supervision and guidance on masters thesis and doctoral dissertation research,
and overall administrative management and service delivery of AIT. The value and the
quality of the academic, administrative and other supportive units had tremendous role in
the academic standing of AIT itself. The periodic feedback from the AIT graduates helps
in further enhancing the teaching, research, and administrative standards of AIT.
6.1

Feedbacks on Teaching in AIT

The target AIT graduates were inquired on

how they would rate the teaching standard
of study at AIT by giving them five scale
ratings such as excellent, very good, good,
poor, and very poor. Out of the 1023
responding graduates, majority (55%) had
an impression that the teaching quality in
Table 6.1: Rating Teaching Quality by Gender, Economic Categories and Region
Gender, Economic
categories, and Region

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Poor

Very Poor

112

18.0

342

54.9

158

25.4

1.3

0.5

42

10.5

212

53.0

142

35.5

1.0

0.0

400

Total

154

15.1

554

54.2

300

29.3

12

1.2

0.3

1023

LIC

58

9.9

339

58.1

183

31.4

0.3

0.2

583

LMC

95

21.9

214

49.3

113

26.0

10

2.3

0.5

434

UMC

100.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

HIC

0.0

20.0

80.0

0.0

0.0

Total

154

15.1

554

54.2

300

29.3

12

1.2

0.3

1023

East Asia and Pacific

126

14.7

462

53.9
55.3

254

29.6

12

1.4

0.4

857

44

27.3

0.0

0.0

161

50.0

0.0

0.0

Male
Female

South Asia

Total
623

28

17.4

89

Europe and Central Asia

0.0

2250.0

Africa

0.0

100.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

154

15.1

554

54.2

300

29.3

12

1.2

0.3

1023

Total

AIT is very good followed by good (29%). Few respondents (15%) had an impression that
the teaching quality in AIT is even excellent one. The teaching standard as perceived by
the respondent AIT graduates was also analyzed by gender, economic categories of the
countries and region which is presented in the following Table 6.1.
On an average, majority in all the three categories (gender, economic classification, and
region) indicated the teaching quality of AIT as very good. A negligible number of the
respondents in all categories indicated as poor and very poor. The main reasons of the poor
and very poor rating as reported by them can be listed as weak practical aspects,
inadequate facilities, less cooperating and helping less in thesis supervision, high course
fee but poor learning materials, high politics among instructors, and heterogeneity in the
background of the students and diversity in teaching that had to be compromised.
6.2

Feedbacks on Thesis Research in AIT

An attempt was made to gather information on the level of satisfaction of the target AIT
graduates on the their thesis research works in terms of research supervisors contribution,
committee members contribution, flexibility of choice in topic selection, research fund
availability, and help received from seniors and own batch mates. The various responses
for the satisfaction level of AIT graduates for their masters thesis works were found
ranging from very low to very high. Forty percent of the 903 responding AIT graduates
considered the contribution of thesis supervisor as high followed by very high (38%)
followed by medium (18 %) and low and very low (4%). In case of committee members
contribution, majority considered as high (44%) followed by medium (30%), very high
(18%), low and very low (8%). The flexibility of choice in masters research topic for the
students in AIT is found high enough since 43 percent reported as very high followed by
high (27%), medium (23%) and low and very low (6%). Majority (34%) indicated that
fund availability for research was medium followed by high (30%), low and very low
(21%) and very high (13%). Fifty-four percent of the respondent graduates reported that
they received very high to high level of help from their seniors. Similarly, 57 percent of
them reported that they received high to very high level of help from their batch mates
(Figure 6.2).

23

6.3

Feedbacks on Dissertation Research in AIT

Like in thesis research, all the target AIT graduates who had received doctoral degree were
also inquired to provide feedback on various aspects on the dissertation research in AIT.
Majority (47%) reported as very high level of inputs from the main supervisor of the
dissertation research followed by high (32%), medium (18%) and only 4 percent reported
as low level of help. Sixty-two percent of them reported as very high and high level of
help received from the committee members and remaining others indicated as medium by
30 percent and low to very low by 8 percent. The flexibility of choice in dissertation
research topic for the students in AIT is found high enough since 72 percent of the
responded graduates indicated as very high and high levels followed medium (22%), and
low and very low (6%).
Thirty percent of the
respondent
graduates
indicated
that
fund
availability
was
high,
however, close to this
percentage; another 28
percent also reported low
and very low level of fund
availability.
Forty-nine
percent of the respondent
graduates reported that they

24

received very high to high level of help from their seniors. Similarly, 59 percent of them
reported that they received high to very high level of help from their batch mates (Figure
6.2).
Both type of respondent graduates (masters and doctoral degree receivers) had similar
type of reasons for rating the low or very low on various aspects of thesis and dissertation
research in AIT. Their points have been summarized and presented in the following Table
6.2 on comments made for rating low and very low by research aspects.
Research
aspects
Funding on
research

Supervision on
research
Help from
seniors and
batch mates on
research

6.4

Table 6.2: Reason for rating low and very low by research aspects
Comments
Not enough fund to conduct research, little options to acquire research fund, no
provision of getting fund for attending conference or workshops to enhance the career,
most of the research fund was enough for traveling what was left was not enough to do
extensive research, no any advice about funding source for students, flat rate is not
suitable for all type of research, both scholarships and research funds are very low
compare with the other countries, and given budget is too low compare to the time and
work load of the research.
Due to a huge of number of students, advisor does not have enough time to contribute,
read and comment on thesis and dissertation research and committee members didn't
pay full attention.
If not at all but very poor connection between senior and junior, sometimes seniors are
not available or reluctant to help at the time of need, sometime the time of research did
not match with the timing of seniors presence. Due to the feeling of competition own
batch mates do not want to help each other.

Rating on AIT Services

The entire target AIT graduates were inquired about their ratings on the quality of
information, advice, and services they received from different service units of AIT. A
significantly higher proportion of respondent AIT graduates (54%) consider as very good
followed by even excellent (21%), good (20%) and poor and very poor (5%) for the
services received from the field of study administration and management. Similarly, a
large majority of them (53%) reported as very good followed by good (26%), excellent
(17%) and poor and very poor (4%) for the service received from school administration
and management. When an inquiry was made on the quality of the service rendered by the
registry of AIT, it was reported as very good by 44 percent respondents followed by good
(37%), excellent (12%), and poor and very poor by 7 percent. Vast majority (71%) of the
respondents indicated excellent and very good service in AIT library. The quality of the
service provided by language center is rated as excellent by 19 percent, very good by 46
percent, good by 31 percent and poor by 4 percent. Computing facilities of AIT were rated
as very good by 43 percent of the respondent graduates followed by good (32%), excellent
(16%), and poor with very poor (9%). Likewise experimental lab facilities considered
good by 41 percent, very good by 38 percent, excellent by 12 percent and poor and very
poor by 9 percent of the respondent graduates. The classroom facilities were rated as very
good by 47 percent, good by 28 percent, excellent by 21 percent and poor and very poor
by 4 percent. Each 37 percent of the respondent graduates rated as very good and good
followed by poor (15%) and very poor (11%) for the service of student accommodation
(Figure 6.4).

25

Figure 4.6 further reveals that the service of the Government relation office is rated as
very good by 43 percent followed by good (40%), excellent (13%) and poor and very poor
(5%). The quality of the service of the alumni relations office rated as good (43%), very
good (39%), excellent (9%) and poor and very poor (9%). Forty-four percent of the
respondent graduates rated student affairs as very good followed by good (41%), excellent
(8%) and poor and very poor (7%). Each 41 percent for very good and good was found
rating the service of the student union followed by excellent (10%) and poor and very poor
(7%). Majority (47%) indicated as the very good followed by good (28%, excellent (20%)
and poor and very poor by the remaining 5 percent for the quality rating of sport facilities.
The assessment on the quality of overall management of AIT by the respondent graduates
made as very good (54%), good (33%), excellent (9%) and poor and very poor by 4
percent.
As requested to offer the comments on poor and very poor ratings for the quality of
services rendered different service units of AIT, some of the respondent graduates had
done it and their responses are summarized as below in Table 6.3.
Table 6.3: Reason for rating as low and very low on AIT services
Service Unit
Comments
Computing facilities
Very slow internet connection with low bandwidth availability really hampers the
research study and day to day communication works, not sufficient number and
quality of computers, difficult to access in Alumni Web, hard to update
information, and Network is very slow.
Student
Staffs at student accommodation are not really helpful though they speak very
accommodation /
friendly, more biased to some countries and students, poor facilities in standard
housing
dorm, things especially the wraps for beds and pillows which are too old and not
in white color anymore (no replacement), student accommodations need major
renovation
Classroom facilities
and environment
Library

Sometimes air condition does not work and very small enclosure.
Most of the books are out dated, almost damaged and very old and less forefront
journals

26

Language center
Experimental lab
facilities
Administration
Alumni Relation
Registry

6.5

Not enough qualified English instructors

No enough lab facility for all subjects/items and whatever available are mostly
outdated experimental lab Facilities
Administration and management are in need of improvement, do not care much
for the students, lot of mistakes in documentation, especially in finance and
housing section
Slow in response and procedures related to AITAA matters.
Service is poor.

Suggestions for Strengthening AIT Targeting its Future Graduates

All the target AIT graduates were requested to provide their views on what must be
strengthened at AIT targeting its future graduates in terms of teaching quality, practical
application
for
problem
solving
skills, content and
coverage of courses,
and additional new
courses if any. The
highest proportion
(48%)
of
the
respondent
AIT
graduates indicated
their views for
targeting practical
application
for
problem solving skills followed by teaching and research quality (36%), adding new
courses (5%) and 4 percent suggested to revise content and coverage of courses (Figure
6.4). Sixty-six (7%) responding AIT graduates provided several other suggestions amongst
them most important ones are: more emphasis on top ranked journal publication;
collaboration with top ranked universities; improving computing and lab facilities;
credible admission process and a realistic campus job placement; networking; equip more
skills needed while participating in the meetings; organizing international seminar and
workshops; concentrating on public speaking and presentation skills; increasing field
exposures and practical experiences; enhancing international studying environment; and
refreshing and updating with new/advanced technology and new/applied concepts
(Appendix Table 6.1).
Regarding the content and coverage of courses, further elaborations are done emphasizing
mainly on emerging issues like mitigation and adaptation to climate change, IPM,
migration, revising curriculum looking at the local needs not just copying curriculum from
western universities, introduction of debit and credit in details in finance, free choice to
select subject matters across AIT school, and provision of elective courses and internship
(Appendix Table 6.2).
The new courses to be added were suggested as the Aquaculture Business Management;
Domestic Violence, Human Rights and Trafficking; Social Entrepreneurship; Business
Law; Communication and Public Speaking Skills; Forest Management; Banking /
Financing and Marketing; Macroeconomics; Strategy Management; Molecular Biology;
Advanced Math; Applied Mathematics and Computing; Geotechnical Constitutive

27

Modeling; Radar Remote Sensing; and High Voltage Engineering & Power System
Protection (Appendix Table 6.3).

I would not like to encourage any of my friends and relatives to study at

AIT unless your teaching and supporting services have been improved. They
could spend the same amount paid to AIT in studying in the US for a more
qualified university. As for those interested in development studies, many
Thanks.
- An AIT Graduate from Thailand

28

Career Decision and

Employments

Career decision and employments section includes whereabouts of AIT graduates,

rejoining the previous job or employer, duration of getting the first job after graduation
from AIT, current job position and employment history, age and current job position,
duration of current job, main employer types, individual main function at work and job
satisfaction, salary level, salary by age group of AIT graduates, current salary level by
graduation year, and job position and salary income by gender.
7.1

Whereabouts of AIT Graduate

The main emphasis of AIT has been

constantly remained the same from its
inception till now is on producing capable
human resource needed for the sustainable
development of the countries in Asia, in
particular, and global context, in general.
All the graduates are encouraged as well
as insisted to return to their home
countries and apply whatever knowledge
and skills learned from AIT to their own
countries. The respondent AIT graduates
inquired about their career decision
immediately after graduation from AIT. Separate question was designed for Thai and NonThai in order to know whether AIT graduates remained in Thailand for the former and
returned to their home
Table 7.1: Choosing own Country after Graduation by Gender, Economy and Region
countries for the latter.
Yes
No
Total
Gender, Economy, and
Figure 7.1 reveals that Region
f
%
f
%
f
%
95 percent of Thai and Male
518
79.3 135
20.7
653 100
85 percent of Non- Female
337
76.8 102
23.2
439 100
Thai
respondent Total
855
78.3 237
21.7
1092 100
512
80.5 124
19.5
636 100
graduates chose their LIC
338
75.1 112
24.9
450 100
home country after LMC
1
50.0
1
50.0
2 100
UMC
graduation from AIT.
4
100.0
0
0.0
4 100
Table 7.1 indicates that HIC
855
78.3 237
21.7
1092 100
on an average of the Total
717
79.3 187
20.6
904 100
East Asia and Pacific
total
respondent
27.
graduates 78 percent
134
72.8
50
184 100
2
returned/remained to South Asia
3 100.0
0
0.0
3 100
their
respective Europe and Central Asia
1
100.0
0
0.0
1 100
Africa
countries. Remaining
855
78.3 237
21.7
1092 100
22 percent chose other Total
than own county due to various reasons such as continuing study for PhD, continuing
research at AIT, having got better paid jobs compared to the jobs in own country, and also

29

to support spouse who joined AIT for studies. In terms of gender, 79 percent of males and
77 percent of females returned/remained their home countries. Based on the analysis by
economic classifications of the countries, it was found 81 percent of the respondents
returning in case of LIC compared to 75 in LMC. All 4 respondent graduates (100%)
returned to their own countries from HIC. While regional comparison was made, less
proportion from South Asia (73%) returned to home countries compared with East Asia
and Pacific region (79%) and others.
7.2

Rejoining the Previous Job or Employer

Out of 1121 respondent AIT graduates, 1007 reported on the inquiry whether they joined
the previous job after graduation from AIT. Forty-five percent of the actual respondents
indicated that they joined their
previous jobs and 38 percent did Table 7.2: Response Rate on Joining Previous Job
Frequency Percent
Valid Percent
not join. Slightly more than 17 Response
Yes
448
40.0
44.5
percent respondents reported as
No
384
34.3
38.1
not applicable since they did not Not applicable
175
15.7
17.4
have job before coming AIT. Out
Subtotal
1007
89.8
100.0
of the total respondent graduates No answer
114
10.2
(1121), slightly more than 10 Total
1121
100.0
percent did not provide any
response. An inquiry was made with those who did not rejoin the previous jobs by
requesting them to provide reasons why they did not join. Some of the important reasons
given are: job was temporary as contract basis, immediately gone for further study, the
previous job was not satisfactory, office closed, new and better paid job offered, and the
office rules were so strict for granting the study leave so had to sacrifice job.
7.3

Duration of Getting the First Job after Graduation from AIT

An attempt was made to know the duration of getting the first job after graduation from
AIT to those who did not join the previous jobs and also did not go for further study for
their further academic career advancements. Therefore, such information was expected
from at lest 559 respondents (Table 7.2) who had not joined the previous job and also who
had no job before coming AIT. However, 426 (76%) comprised by 229 males and 197
females reported on the duration of getting the first job after graduation from AIT.
Interestingly,
Table 7.3: Duration Taken for the First Job after Graduation from AIT
Male
Female
Total
majority in both Duration
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
genders,
their
78
34.1
59
29.9
137
32.2
jobs
were Confirmed before
Graduation
confirmed even < 1Month
51.0
22.3
37.0
18.8
88.0
20.7
before graduation > 1 to < 3Months
67.0
29.3
58.0
29.4
125.0
29.3
from AIT. Table > 3 to < 6Months
23.0
10.0
27.0
13.7
50.0
11.7
6.0
2.6
8.0
4.1
14.0
3.3
7.3 reveals that > 6Months to
34 percent of 1Year
> 1Year
4.0
1.7
8.0
4.1
12.0
2.8
males and 30 Total
229
100.0
197
100.0
426
100.0
percent
of
females got confirmed their jobs before graduation. Slightly more than 29 percent of both
gender reported that it took more than 1 month and less than three months of duration to
get job after graduation from AIT. About 2 percent of males and 4 percent of females
reported that they had to wait even more than one year to get job.

30

7.4

Current Involvement of AIT Graduates

A vast majority (85%) of the actual responding graduates reported that they are working at
present. About 8 percent were found involved in study programs for their further academic
career advancements. Five
Table 7.4: Current Involvement of AIT Graduates
percent of the AIT graduates
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
reported their involvement Involvement
Job
901
80.4
85.4
as business. Less than 2
Study
87
7.8
8.2
percent specified their other Business
53
4.7
5.0
involvements
such
as Other
14
1.2
1.3
housewife, free lancer, job
Subtotal
1055
94.1
100.0
terminated and searching No Answer
66
5.9
for a new job and few Total
1121
100.0
indicated that they dislike
the current job and just resigned. About six percent of the respondent graduates did not
mention anything about their current involvements.
7.5

Current Job Positions of AIT Graduates

An analysis was made on job positions by rank order and gender considering two
situations, the last job position before AIT and the current job position after AIT. The
junior level of
Table 7.5: Job Position by Gender and before and after Studying in AIT
position
was
Job
Last Job Position before AIT
Current Job Position
found
Rank
Gender
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
predominant
Senior
Frequency
7
1
8
82
39
121
for the last job
Percent
1.4
0.3
1.0
14.5
10.2
12.7
before AIT as Middle
Frequency
120
64
184
414
274
688
Percent
23.5
19.4
21.9
73.0
71.4
72.3
75
percent
Frequency
384
265
649
71
71
142
males and 80 Junior
Percent
75.1
80.3
77.2
12.5
18.5
14.9
percent females
Total
Frequency
511
330
841
567
384
951
indicated
for
Percent
100.0
100.0 100.0 100.0
100.0
100
the
same.
However, the middle level was found in largest proportion for the current job position,
after AIT. Table 7.5 clearly indicates that a significantly large number of AIT graduates got
promotion after their studies from AIT. The upward movement of job position is seen in
both genders when a comparison of job position made considering their last job position
before AIT and current job position after AIT.
Figure 7.2: Relation between Age and Current Job Position
7.6

Age and Current Job Position

Generally, there is a positive correlation between

higher job position and age. When an attempt is
made to see the relationship between age and the job
position of the responding AIT graduates by doing
correspondence analysis, it was found that higher
aged graduates had executive or senior professional /
management level of job positions. Mostly middle
age group had middle or junior level of job positions.
In a very few instances the AIT graduates with higher age have also junior level of job
positions and vise-versa.

31

7.7

Main Employer Type

Altogether 1014 (90%) of the respondent graduates with work experiences reported their
main employer types. The academic and research institutions found as the main employers
for the higher proportion (23%) of the target AIT graduates for their current job positions.
Similarly, 19 percent of them were employed by their respective private sector followed
by central government
(16%), international /
regional
organization
(16%), non-governmental
organizations (7%), public
sector / utility provider
(5%)
and
financial
institutions
(4%)
as
presented in the Figure
7.3. Thus, academic /
research
institutions,
private sector, central
government,
and
international / regional
organizations are the major employers for nearly 80 percent of the respondent AIT
graduates.
7.8

Individual Main Function at Work and Job Satisfaction

Altogether 953 respondent AIT graduates reported their individual main job function as
presented in Table 7.6. Nearly 40 percent of them reported project implementation as
individual
main
Table 7.6: Type of Individual Main Function at Work
function at work
Main
Function
(Multiple Response)
Frequency Percent
followed
by
Project
Implementation
379
39.8
management
as
347
36.4
indicated by the 36 Management
Research Analysis / Policy Inputs
256
26.9
percent of the
Teaching
213
22.4
actual responding Knowledge / Information Dissemination
208
21.8
AIT
graduates.
Twenty-seven
percent of them reported research analysis / policy inputs type of works. Similarly, each 22
percent said teaching and knowledge / information dissemination. When the individual
main function at work of the current job position is compared with the last job before AIT,
an upward shift was found for management (28 to 36 percent) and for research analysis /
policy inputs (21 percent to 27 percent). Without job satisfaction of the employees, the
employers may not be able to meet their
objectives or production targets to a greater
extent. Out of the total 925 responding AIT
graduates, 88 percent reported that they were
satisfied with their current jobs. This is a good
indication but at the same time one has to give
proper attention on the reaming 12 percent of the
responding AIT graduates who are not satisfied
with their current jobs.

32

7.9

Salary Level

Altogether 930 responding AIT graduates provided information on their salary (a range
was given to them). There were seven categories of salary range starting from less than
100 US $ per month to
Table 7.7: Gross Salary Level of Current Job and Last Job before AIT
more than 3000 US$ per
Current Position
Last Job before AIT
month.
Thirty-three Salary Range
(US$/Month)
Frequency Percent Frequency
Percent
percent of them were
<
100
33
3.5
98
12.0
receiving 501 to 1000
100 to 200
77
8.3
168
20.6
US$ per month followed
201 to 500
168
18.1
319
39.1
by
24
percent
501
to
1000
310
170
20.9
33.3
respondents with US$
223
24.0
42
5.2
1001 to 2000. Similarly 1001 to 2000
2001
to
3000
54
5.8
11
1.3
18 percent respondents
>
3000
65
7.0
7
0.9
reported that they were
Total
930
100.0
815
100.0
receiving US$ 201 to 500
per month followed by 8
percent respondents with US$ 100 to 200 monthly salaries. Four percent were receiving
less than 100 US$ per month. However, 6 percent and 7
percent of the responding AIT graduates were even
receiving 2001 to 3000 and more than 3000 US$/month,
respectively. Table 7.7 also reveals that the AIT studies
have contributed a lot in receiving higher salaries.
Which is evident from the fact that the largest proportion
of the AIT graduates (39%) was drawing salary in the
range of US$ 201 to 500 per month for the last job
before AIT. Whereas, the largest proportion of AIT
graduates (33%) were getting salary in the range of 501
to 1000 from their current job after graduation from AIT.
Incase of before AIT, there were only 5 percent to get
salary in the range of US$ 1001 to 2000, however, there
are 24 percent AIT graduates who are getting same level
of salary from their current jobs. The correspondence analysis is done to see the relation
between current job positions and gross salary (in terms of mid value of the sally ranges in
US$ per month basis). Figure 7.5 clearly reveals there is a close relation between job
position and salary levels. The higher job positions such as Executive and Senior
Management or Senior Professional receiving higher levels of salary. In contrast the
responding AIT graduates with Junior Professional or Junior Management positions were
found receiving low levels of salary. Similarly, Middle Professionals and Middle
Management positions closely related with fairly middle levels of salaries.
7.10

Salary by Age Group of AIT Graduates

Based on their age, the respondent AIT graduates were categorized into three age groups,
namely, less than 30 Years, 30 to 35 Years and More than 35 Years. Out of the 1121
respondent AIT graduates, 41 percent were belonging to the first category (<30 years),
followed by 39 percent in the second category (30 to 35 Years) and the rest 20 percent in
the third category (>35 years). Many people consider that the salary income as one of the
most important measuring instruments to judge whether given activities had any impacts
or not. In general, the salary income increases with age. A comparative analysis of means

33

by considering salary income before AIT and After AIT against between and within the
age groups was done through one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance
test indicated that there is significant difference in salary income by age groups in case of
the last job before AIT. However there is no significance difference in salary income by
age groups after
graduation
from Table 7.8: ANOVA based on Age categories (3 Categories) and Salaries
Test
df
Mean Square
F
Sig.
AIT.
The Paired Job
Samples t-Test was Current Job
Between Groups
2
486754.102 .743
.476
done for the mean (After AIT)
Within Groups
928
655188.634
salary incomes of
Total
930
the last job before
Between Groups
2
3024545.519 13.8
.001
AIT and the current Last Job
57
job after. The test (Before AIT)
result
Within Groups
812
218274.466
indicated that there
Total
814
is a significance
difference in the mean salaries of these two means as shown below.

Paired Differences
Mean salary

Std. Deviation

df

Sig. (2tailed)

Std. Error Mean 95% Confidence Interval of

the Difference

535.007

730.627

27.674

Lower

Upper

480.672

589.343

19.3

696

0.001

The standard deviation is quite higher than the mean salary which indicates the wide range
of variations in salary in two situations, before AIT and after AIT.
7.11

Current Salary Level by Graduation Year

There were six graduations years (2003 to 2008) in which 1121 respondent AIT graduates
received different masters and doctoral degrees. Therefore, each graduation year
considered as one category which means altogether six categories of graduation year were
considered for the statistical analysis, ANOVA. The salary income of the AIT graduates for
the last job before enrolling AIT as well as the salary of the current job of the AIT
graduates were analyzed against graduation year categories. The result of the analyses
indicated that there was no significant difference in the salary level of AIT graduates
before AIT. In contrast, there was a significance difference in the salary by graduation
categories after the studies in AIT. It can be concluded that the year of graduation has
significant impact in the salary incomes of the AIT graduates (Table 7.9).

Table 7.9: ANOVA Results for the AIT Graduation Year (6 Categories) and Salaries

34

Variables
Graduation Year
and Salary of
current Job after
AIT
Graduation Year
and Salary before
AIT

7.12

Sum of Squares
Between
Groups
Within Groups
Total
Between
Groups
Within Groups
Total

df

Mean
Square

14825667.2

2965133.4

594162893.5
608988560.7

925
930

642338.3

1259370.5

251874.1

181967335.0
183226705.5

809
814

224928.7

Sig.

4.6

0.0004

1.1

0.3482

Job Position and Salary Income by Gender

The implication of AIT studies looked from the perspective of changes in job positions
compared to their positions before AIT with the current position which is meant as after
AIT studies. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and Pearson Chi-Square Test were used to
see any significant differences. Both tests indicated that there is a significant difference in
job position by gender in both cases, before and after studies in AIT (Table 7.10).
Table 7.10: Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and Pearson Chi-Square Tests for Job Ranks and Gender

Rank
Executive / Senior
Middle
Junior
Total
Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test
Pearson Chi-Square Test

Before AIT
Male
Female

After AIT
Male Female

Total

Total

82

39

121

120

64

184

415

273

688

384

265

649

71

71

142

511

330

841

568

383

951

Z
=
-24.793
Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.001
Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) = 0.099

Z
=
-20.550
Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.001
Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)= 0.011

The independent t-Test was done to analyze the salary of the AIT graduates by gender and
it was found nearly significantly different in both situations, before and after studies in
AIT. The mean salaries of males are higher in both situations compared to the mean
salaries of females (Table 7.11).
Table 7.11: Salary Level by Gender and Before and After AIT
Statistics
Before AIT
After AIT
Male Female
Male
Female
494.54
439.87
1082.53
982.43
Mean Salary (US$/Month)
512.105 404.812
844.868
749.030
Standard Deviation
22.811
22.955
35.670
38.940
Standard Errors
1.599
1.849
t- Value (equal variances assumed)
0.110
0.065
Significance (equal variances assumed)
1.689
1.896
t- Value (equal variances not assumed)
0.092
0.058
Significance (equal variances not assumed)

35

Relevancies and
Effectiveness

One of the most important objectives of doing tracer study is to assess the relevancy and
effectiveness of AIT studies in the professional career advancement, usefulness and level
of benefits gained, and impact of AIT studies in educational and scientific pursuits.
8.1

Job Relevancy of AIT Studies in Current Involvement

All the target AIT graduates were requested to provide whatever number of jobs they
joined after their graduation from AIT with the additional information on the relevancy of
AIT studies. Altogether 901 (85%) getting involved in jobs and 53 (5%) involved in
business reported the relevancy of AIT studies in their current job and business. As shown
in Table 8.1, AIT studies have been exactly related for a large majority of them (57%)
followed by partly related for 39 percent and not related for 4 percent for their current jobs
and businesses.
Table 8.1: Employment History and Job Relevancy of AIT Studies
Involvement and Employment
Relevancy
Profile
Exactly related
Partially related
Not related
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
Current job and business (n=954)
540
56.6
372
39.0
42
4.4
Second last job (n=262)
131
50.0
103
39.3
28
10.7
Third last job (n=91)
45
49.5
33
36.3
13
14.3
Fourth last job (n=32)
14
43.8
12
37.5
6
18.8
Fifth last job (n=9)
5
55.6
3
33.3
1
11.1

A total of 262 responding AIT graduates indicated the relevancy of AIT studies in their 2 nd
last jobs as exactly related by 131 (50%), partly related for 103 (39%) and not related for
28 (11%). Similarly, 91 respondents reported about their 3 rd job and the relevancy of AIT
studies as exactly related (50%), partially related (36%) and not related (14%). There were
32 respondents reporting about the indicated about their 4th jobs with the relevancy of AIT
studies as exactly related (44%), partly related (38%) and not related (18%). Only 9
respondent AIT graduates reported that they had even 5th last job after graduation from
AIT with the relevancy of AIT studies as exactly related (56%), partly related (33%) and
not related (11%).
8.2

Usefulness of AIT Studies in Current Involvement

The usefulness of the of the AIT studies on the current involvements of AIT graduates was
viewed from the perspective of the extent of knowledge/skills gained from AIT while
doing course works; research; workshops/field visits; staying at multicultural /
international environment; networking with peers, professors, and staff; and by overall
program. Out of the 963 responding AIT graduates, 72 percent indicated that knowledge
and skills gained from the course works have been highly and very highly useful followed
by medium (23%) low (4%) and very low (1%). Similarly, the knowledge and skills
gained from the AIT research, workshops/field visits; staying at multicultural /
international environment; networking with peers, professors, and staff; and by overall

36

program has been reported as highly and very highly useful by 71 percent, 61 percent, 70
percent, 63 percent, and 73 percent, respectively.

8.3

Overall Benefit Gained from AIT Studies

The overall benefits gained by the target AIT graduates from the AIT studies were
measured in terms of technical / practical skills, theoretical knowledge, gaining higher
status / recognition, gaining self-confidence, gaining higher income, higher progression /
promotion in the same job, and higher mobility across the job. Seventy-five percent of the
respondent AIT graduates reported that whatever technical / practical skills they had learnt
from AIT has high or very high levels of benefits followed by and 22 percent of them said
as medium and reaming 3 percent indicated as low and very low levels. However, 83
percent of them reported that they have been benefited highly and very highly from the
theoretical knowledge they gained from AIT. Likewise, 78 percent for gaining higher
status / recognition, 87 percent for gaining self-confidence, 62 percent for gaining higher
income and higher progression / promotion in the same job, and 66 for higher mobility
37

across the job were reported under high and very high levels of benefits gained after AIT
studies. From these responses one can easily conclude that the AIT studies have significant
contributions in terms of benefits enjoying by AIT graduates.
8.4

Impact of AIT Studies in Scientific and Educational Fields

All the target AIT graduates were inquired whether they went for further studies after
graduation from AIT. Amongst them, 777 responded and 222 (29%) confirmed their
further studies. Some of them had already completed and some are continuing their studies
and expected to graduate in 2009 by 13 respondents, in 2010 by 26 respondents, 2011 by
21 respondents, 2012 by 24 respondents, and each 5 respondents in 2013 and 2015. They
have studied or been studying various academic degree programs such as certificate,
diploma, master, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees from various universities in Europe,
USA, Australia, and Asia. Among these further studied or studying respondents, 80
percent said that their further study degrees were/are related to their degrees or study
programs in AIT. Figure 8.3 shows the overall scenario of the contribution of the AIT
graduates in the scientific, educational and professional fields is encouraging particularly
in research and publication, membership in the professional organizations, consulting
works, participation and paper presentations in the international conferences and seminars
in three time periods as before studying in AIT, during study in AIT, and after AIT studies.
The remarkable contributions are visible in all the listed scientific and educational fields.
8.5

Relevancy and Effectiveness by Gender

The relevancy and effectiveness of different knowledge and skills learnt through courses,
research, workshop/field visits, multicultural environment, networks, and overall AIT
programs were analyzed by gender of the responding AIT graduates. Both genders were
more or less equally responding the effectiveness and relevancy of AIT courses,

38

workshops/field visits, multicultural learning/internationality, and overall programs for

their current activates. However, the significant difference between male and female was
found the effectiveness and relevancy of research and networks (peers, professors and
staff) of AIT in their current working fields (Table 8.2).
Table 8.2: Significance Test Results for Various Sources of Knowledge and Skills by Gender
Sources of Knowledge / Skill
Pearson Chi-Square
Value
df
Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)
Courses
4.515
4
.341
Research
Workshop/field visits
Multicultural learning / internationality
Networks (peers, professors, staff)
Overall Program

19.812

.001

4.538

.338

7.239

.124

10.765

.029

5.107

.276

The level of benefits gained from the AIT studies were analyzed by gender considering
different aspects of benefits such as technical/practical skills, theoretical knowledge,
gaining higher status/recognition, gaining self confidence, gaining higher income, higher
progression /promotion in the same job, and higher mobility across the jobs. A significant
difference in enjoying the benefits by gender was found only in gaining higher status /
recognitions (Table 8.3).
Table 8.3: Significance Test Results for Various Aspects of Benefits by Gender
Aspects of Benefits
Pearson Chi-Square
Value
df
Asymp. Sig. (2-sided)
Technical /practical skills
2.184
4
.702
Theoretical knowledge

8.053

.090

Gaining higher status / recognition

9.810

.044

Gaining self-confidence

3.140

.678

Gaining higher income

4.345

.501

Higher progression /promotion in the same job

8.301

.140

Higher mobility across the job

3.185

.671

39

Developmental Activities and

Networking

Considering the mission of AIT, an attempt was made to assess the involvement of the
target AIT graduates in various developmental activates and research studies and also their
involvement in various professional and social networks.
9.1

Involvement of AIT Graduates in Developmental Activities

An inquiry was made on the extent of involvement of AIT graduates in developmental

activities such as poverty alleviation, renewable and sustainable energy, environment,
natural resource management, raising gender awareness and application, HIV/AIDS,
human rights and peace building, agriculture development, information technology,
infrastructure development, and business management / entrepreneurship. Figure 9.1
reveals that the highest proportion (33%) of the AIT graduates reported their high and very
high involvement followed by medium (32%), very low (21%) and low (15%) in poverty
alleviation programs and activities. Their contribution in the renewable and sustainable
energy related activities was found as very high (8%), high (22%), medium (30%), low
(17%) and very low (23%). In case of environment and development their contribution
was said to be very high (17%), high (32%), medium (26%), low (10%) and very low
(15%). Their level of contribution for natural resource management was indicated as very
high (12%), high (30%), medium (25%), low (15%) and very low (18%). Similarly the
extent of contribution on gender awareness and application was reported as very high
(7%), high (22%), medium (29%), low (17%) and very low (25%). The contribution in
working against HIV / AIDS was found relatively lower as stated by only 4 percent as
very high involvement, 12 percent for high, 28 percent for medium, 19 percent for low,
and 36 percent for very low. This level of contribution in protecting HIV/AIDS is also
remarkable one since this issue is not the major academic and research activity of AIT.
Same is true in case of human rights and peace building activities, for which, 6 percent of
the respondent graduates indicated their very high level of involvement, high level by 18
percent, medium by 27 percent, low by 19 percent, and very low by 31 percent. Thirtyone percent of the respondent AIT graduates indicated their very high and high level of
contributions followed by medium (27%), very low (27%) and low (15%) in agriculture
development. Forty percent of the respondents indicated very high and high levels
followed by medium (27%), very low (19%), and low (13%) level of contributions in the
field of information and technology. Thirty-seven percent of them indicated as very high
and high levels followed by medium (26%), very low (22%), and low (15%) level of
contributions in infrastructure development. Likewise, 39 percent indicated as very high
and high levels followed by medium (30%), low (10%) and very low (21%) level of
contribution in business management and entrepreneurship.

40

9.2

Contributed Development Projects / Research Studies

Altogether 289 respondent

Table 9.1: Major Focus of the Significantly Contributed Projects
AIT graduates provided Project Focus (n=289)
Frequency
Percent
the
list
of
757
(f)
(f/n)
190
development projects / Environment
65.7
170
58.8
research studies in which Infrastructure/transport/communication
111
38.4
they had significantly Natural resource management
Policy
analysis
106
36.7
contributed
after
Economics
/marketing/management
99
34.3
graduation from AIT. Out
Poverty alleviation
97
33.6
of these 289 responding
Energy
91
31.5
graduates
232
had
Capacity development
73
25.3
involved in two projects, Agriculture / rural development
52
18.0
133 had contributed for 3 Gender awareness and application
47
16.3
projects, 61 had worked Human rights / HIV / AIDS
9
3.1
for 4 projects and 42 had
even contributed significantly for 5 projects after graduation from AIT. When the
frequencies of major foci of the contributed projects or research studies were analyzed
(Table 9.1), a vast majority (66%) indicated environment as major focus followed by
infrastructure / transport / communication (59%), natural resource management (38%),
policy analysis (37%), economics / marketing / management (34%), poverty alleviation
(34%), energy (32%), capacity development (25%), agriculture / rural development (18%),
gender awareness and application (16%), and human rights / peace building and health
including HIV/AIDS (3%). The respondent AIT graduates were also inquired for their
types of contribution to projects or research studies in terms of design, implementation,
supervision, and monitoring and evaluation. Multiple responses were received since same
41

person could contribute in only one type or more than one types. The highest proportion of
them (88%) was found for project implementation followed by project design (77%), and
56 and 54 percent for project supervision and monitoring and evaluation, respectively
(Table 9.2).
Table 9.2: Type of Contribution in the Development Projects / Research Studies
Contribution Type
Frequency (n=289)
Percent (f/n)
Implementation
255
88.2
Design
222
76.8
Supervision
163
56.4
Monitoring and evaluation
156
54.0

9.3

Involvement of AIT Graduates in Professional and Social Networks

The target AIT graduates were requested to list professional and social networks including
AITAA to which they have been involved after graduation from AIT. The type of network
was specified as national, regional and global. Similarly, the membership also requested to
specify as general or executive types.
Alongside additional information was
requested on the degree of involvement in
terms of very high, high, medium, low and
very low for the involved professional and
social networks. Altogether 243 respondent
AIT graduates reported professional and
social networks in which they were involved
or affiliated. The highest proportion (45%) of
them indicated as the member of AITAA
national chapters and related organizations, 33 percent reported to be the member of local
or national professional organizations, 16 percent indicated to be affiliated with the
international/regional organizations, and 7 percent indicated to be affiliated with local nongovernmental
organizations
(Appendix Table 9.1). A large
majority of the respondent AIT
graduates (54%) has networks in the
national level followed by global
level (27%) and regional level
(19%). Ninety-one percent indicated
that their membership type in the
professional or social networks is
general and 9 percent reported as
executive types (Figure 9.2). The
degree of involvement varies among
different members of the social and
professional networks. As presented
in Figure 9.3, the largest proportion
of the respondent AIT graduates (36%) indicated as medium level of involvement
followed by high level (24%), low level (20%), very high level (13%) and very low level
by 7 percent of the responding AIT graduates.

42

9.4

Fulfillment of the Mission of AIT

The main thrust of AIT education and research is to produce highly qualified human
resource in order to meet development needs of Asia and beyond. As mentioned earlier, 95
percent of Thai and 85 percent of non-Thai AIT graduates had remained/returned to their
home countries and they have been scholarly applying newly acquired knowledge and
skills from AIT in their respective jobs and countries. They have been contributing through
their governments, academic and research institutions, international and regional
organizations, private and public organizations, and non-governmental organizations. They
have been covering wide areas of development such as resources planning and
management, infrastructure development, informations and communications,
environmental protection and climate change, human rights and gender, and poverty
alleviation. They have been involved in various development projects and research studies
and also getting involved in various professional and social networks.
The overall findings based on the empirical evidences of this trace study provide a valid
and solid ground that AIT has been producing highly qualified and committed
professionals required to play leading roles in the region's sustainable development and its
integration into the global economy. In other words, it was found very high to high level of
relevancy and effectiveness of AIT course/curricula, research, and academic degrees to
fulfill the AIT mission at large. The very high and high levels of work efficiency and
competency of the AIT graduates as indicated by their employers as immediate
supervisors and peers also provide an additional validation on this matter.

43

10

Partnership and
Suggestions

There always remains tremendous scope of alumni in strengthening any academic

institutions for which they belong. They always love their institutions; think about the
progress and possibilities of their contributions for the further enhancement of academic
and research activities. For this section, the target AIT graduates were requested to provide
information on their influential position to develop partnership with AIT or to support AIT
as well as to get their views on how AIT can generate more resources for its financial
viability, how AIT should move forward to meet the regional education and development
needs, and to get their suggestions on what AIT should do to strengthen
relations/partnerships with its alumni.
10.1

Partnership to Support AIT

An attempt was made to get the information from the target AIT graduates on possible
partnership or their current positions to support AIT through providing scholarships,
research funds, training participants and funds, student internship/exchange program, job
placement for AIT graduates, and collaborative research and academic programs with AIT.
As shown in Table 10.1, seven percent of the target AIT graduates reported that they are in
a position to provide scholarships to AIT. Likewise, eight percent of them reported that
they can provide research funds to AIT and ten percent indicated that they are in a position
to send training participants with funding to AIT. Slightly more than eighteen percent of
them reported that they are interested on student internship or exchange program. About
twenty-one percent indicated that they are in a position for facilitating job placement for
AIT graduates. Twenty-three percent of them were found interested on initiating
collaborative research and academic programs with AIT.
Table 10.1: AIT Graduates Position of Influence for Possible Partnership / Support to AIT
Position of Influence
Yes
No
Missing
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
Frequency
%
Providing scholarships
83
7.4
608 54.2
430
38.4
Providing research funds
85
7.6
600 53.5
436
38.9
Providing training
108
9.6
575 51.3
438
39.1
participants and funds
Facilitating student
internship /exchange
204
18.2
491 43.8
426
38
program
Facilitating job placement for
231
20.6
465 41.5
425
37.9
AIT graduates
Initiating collaborative
research and academic
252
22.5
410 36.6
459
40.9
programs with AIT

10.2

Suggestions for Strengthening AIT

All the target AIT graduates were requested to provide suggestions on financial viability
and sustainability of AIT and its future move to meet the regional educational and
44

developmental needs and strengthening relationships with AIT alumni. Several

suggestions were received and summarized as here under.
10.2.1 Suggestions for Generating More Resources and Financial Viability
The target AIT graduates were requested to suggest on how AIT can generate more
resources for its financial viability. Altogether 310 respondent AIT graduates provided 303
different suggestions and these suggestions were summarized and presented in Table 10.2).
These suggestions were mainly focused to partnership, management, teaching and
research, alumni networking, workshops, training and new programs and consulting.
Table 10.2: Suggestion for Financial Viability of AIT (Multiple Responses)
Suggestions (N=310)
Frequency
Percent
Partnership
143
46.1
Management
114
36.8
Teaching and Research Quality Improvement
80
25.8
Alumni Networking
65
21.0
Workshops/Training/New Programs
63
20.3
Consulting
23
7.4

Table 10.2 shows that 46 percent of the actual respondent suggested to work for
partnership for the collaborative activities with industrial, business, and academic
organizations and institutions. Thirty-seven percent of them suggested for the better
management of AIT through improvement in financial, administrative and academic
aspects. Similarly, 26 percent of them emphasized for the teaching and research quality
improvements. Likewise, 21 percent of them suggested strengthening relation with the
AIT alumni through networking. More than 20 percent of them suggested for the
workshop, training and other new program which attract fund for AIT. Even 7 percent of
them suggested to AIT to involve its faculty members in consulting works.
10.2.2 Suggestions for the Future Direction of AIT
Being a leading regional academic institution, AIT has been always focusing on the
regional education and development needs. Therefore, all the target AIT graduates were
requested to provide feedbacks on how AIT should move forward to meet the regional
education and development needs. In response, 334 respondent AIT graduates provided
448 suggestions, which were summarized and presented in Table 10.3.
Table 10.3: Suggestion for the Future Move of AIT (Multiple Responses)
Suggestions (N=334)
Frequency Percent
Partnership / Exchange Program
105
31.4
Quality Teaching and Research
80
24.0
Improvement in Management
71
21.3
Targeting Practical Problems
70
21.0
Promotional Activities/Conferences
48
14.4
New Programs /Centers /Courses
42
12.6
Strengthening Alumni Relationships
26
7.8
Consulting Services
6
1.8

As reveled through Table 10.3, the highest proportion of the respondent AIT graduates
(31%) had suggested strengthening partnership /exchange programs with regional
universities, partner institutions, governmental and nongovernmental organizations,

45

private industries and companies. Quality teaching and research was the second important
suggestion for the future move of AIT to meet the education and development need as
reported by 24 percent of the respondent AIT graduates. Each twenty-one percent of the
respondent AIT graduates had suggested for the improvement in the AIT management
system and targeting practical problems of the region. Fourteen percent of them had
suggested in considering promotional activities / conferences / meetings. About 8 percent
of them suggested for strengthening alumni relationships. About 2 percent of them
suggested rendering consulting services by the AIT faculty members.
10.2.3 Suggestions for Strengthening Relation / Partnerships with Alumni
In the subsection 10.1 of this section, some of the respondent AIT graduates have given
their influential position to develop partnership with AIT. Further inquiry was made with
them on what AIT should do on strengthening relations/partnerships with its alumni.
Altogether 316 respondent AIT graduates provided their 475 suggestions which are
summarized and presented in Table 10.4.
Table 10.4: Suggestion for Strengthening Relation / Partnerships with Alumni
(Multiple Responses)
Suggestions (N=316)
Frequency Percent
Updating Contact Details and Informing AIT Activities / Events
137
43.4
Organize Alumni Meeting / Workshops / Forum /Events
121
38.3
Initiate New Way of Strengthening Relationships
109
34.5
Coordination and Networking through Alumni and AITAA
108
34.2

The highest proportion of the respondent AIT graduates (43%) made their suggestion on
updating contact details and informing AIT activities as well as events would further
strengthen the relationship between AIT and its alumni. Thirty-eight percent of the
respondent AIT graduates suggested organizing alumni meetings / workshops /events or
creating forum for discussions that would help in strengthening relationships. Thirty-five
percent of them also suggested initiating new way of strengthening relationship such as
regular contact between advisor and advisees, web board to share the opinion, and
nominating at least one representative from each country of AIT alumni. Another most
important suggestion as suggested by 34 percent of the respondent AIT graduates was to
foster coordination and networking through alumni and AITAA.

46

Perspective of Employers
and Peers on AIT Graduates

The information on how the employers (immediate supervisors) and peers of AIT
graduates have been marking them is very important from the perspective of knowing the
impact of knowledge and skills learned from AIT and their performances in the real
professional and academic fields. In order to get the unbiased information from the
employers and peers, efforts were made to get responses from those who had not getting
any AIT degrees or who had not even joined the training programs. The separate two sets
of questionnaires were designed exclusively for them. Altogether 100 employers as
immediate supervisors and 106 peers submitted their completed questionnaires.
11.1

Perspective of Employers

Before getting into the employer perspective on AIT graduates, the background
information of their own has been given in terms of their age, gender, nationality, current
job title or position and since how long they have been supervising the AIT graduates as
their subordinates. Then, other discussions are made based on their perspective on AIT
graduates in terms of priority in recruiting AIT graduates, rating on job performance of
AIT graduates, strength and weakness of AIT graduates, prospects of AIT graduates in job
markets, and their position to support AIT and also their suggestion to AIT for its future
growth.
11.1.1 Background Information of Employers
The largest proportion of the respondent employers
(46%) was found belonging to the age group of 31
to 40 followed by 29 percent to the 41 to 50 age
group. Remaining 15 percent, 9 percent, and 3
percent indicated their age in 51 to 60 years, less
than 30 years, and more than 60 years, respectively
(Figure 11.1) Out of 100 employers, one did not
mention about his age and. In terms of gender, 77
percent of male employers filled their questionnaires
compared to 23 percent female employers; this seems
obvious since one can not rule out the possibilities of
larger population of male employers in reality. These
respondent employers were from 22 countries of Asia,
Europe and America. The largest number (31) was
constituted by Thai nationals followed by Cambodian
(11), Vietnamese (10), Nepali (7) and 4 each from Lao
PDR, Sri Lanka, and USA (Appendix Table 11.1). When
the job position of employers were analyzed, the largest
number (32) of the responding employers have been working as Manager followed by
Director (23), Professional (17), Head of the units (10), Deputy Director (7), Dean (4),

47

President (2) and each 1 for Rector, Vice President, Vice Dean, Deputy Head and Captain
(Appendix Table 11.2).
11.1.2 Duration of Supervision
The largest number (30) of the employers as the
immediate supervisor found supervising AIT
graduates for the period of more than 1 to less than 2
years followed by 25 employers for more than 2 to
less than 5 years, 13 employers greater than 3 to less
than 6 months, 11 employers were supervising even
for less than 3 months. There were 6 employers
supervising for more than 5 years (Table 11.1).
11.1.3 Priority in Recruiting AIT Graduates

Table 11.1: Duration of Supervision

Duration
<3 Months
>3 to <6 Months
>6 to <12 Months
>1 to <2 Years
>2 to <5 Years
>5 Years
No answer
Total

Frequency
11
13
11
30
25
6
4
100

One of the most important information requested to provide was on the priority in
recruiting AIT graduates in the future job vacancies in their respective organizations. The
largest percentage of employers (61%) indicated as high priority followed by medium
(22%), very high by 9 percent. Five percent
of the respondents even indicated low and
very low and 3 percent did not provide any
response (Figure 11.3). The reason for the
low and very low priorities were given as
some of them lacks with field based
experiences, they have to go through pilot
exam, and needs much more hard working
people.
11.1.4 Rating on Job Performance of AIT Graduates
Another equally important
information received from
them was on their rating of
AIT
graduates
job
performance in terms of
knowledge and technical
skills on given task, positive
attitude towards sustainable
development,
English
proficiency, team work,
ability to interact with
expatriate / international
team,
commitments/dedication to
the work, work efficiency,
work competency, and
gender
awareness
and
applications. The rating scales were ranging from very high to very low but none of the
employers were found rating as very low level of performance of the AIT graduates. Out

48

of 100 employers, 84 rated as very high and high levels of job performance of the AIT
graduates on knowledge and technical skills on given task. Same levels of performances
were indicated by 92 percent of the employers on positive attitude of AIT graduates
towards sustainable development. Fifty-five percent considered as high, 28 percent for
medium, 16 percent for very high and 1 percent for low on English proficiency of the AIT
graduates. Eighty-eight percent of the respondent employers considered very high and
high levels of job performance on team work. Ninety-two percent of the respondent
employers found job performance as very high and high on ability to interact with
expatriate. The very high and high levels of ratings was done by 96 percent of responding
employers on commitment/dedication to the work, 92 percent indicated on work
efficiency, 90 percent for work competency, and 79 percent on gender awareness and
application (Figure 11.4).
11.1.5 Strength and Weakness of AIT Graduates
The immediate supervisors as employers were requested to provide their opinion on the
strength and weakness of AIT graduates. The main strong points reported were the ability
to work under pressure, to work in a multicultural environment, capacity to grasp new
issues quickly, curiousness and creative, trustworthy, good command in English language,
good attitude, and confidence in assigned responsibility, having good knowledge and
skills, self-motivated, having related work experience, research ability, and ability to work
in a team. They have pointed out some weaknesses as well which can be listed as low
level of leadership quality, lack of attention to details, lack of management skills, over
smart, over confidence, domineering: too focused doing it my way, and too fast in
responding to unhappy things.
11.1.6 Prospects of AIT Graduate in Job Markets as Perceived by Employers
The employers perspective on the prospects
of AIT graduates in the job markets is felt
one of the most important information for
AIT and its graduates and therefore they
were requested to give their opinion
considering the quality standards of AIT
graduates and availability of jobs in the job
markets. They were given five scales of the
prospects to be rated such as very high, high,
medium, low, and very low. Sixty-four
percent of the responding employers considered that there is a high prospects followed by
very high (17%), and medium (15%). Four percent of the employers did not response on
this matter (Figure 11.5).
11.1.7 Prospects of Supporting AIT and Suggestions
The immediate supervisors or employers were inquired about the possibility of their
organization to send or planning to send their staff to study or training program in AIT.
Twenty-two percent of the responding employers indicated that they could send their staff
in AIT for graduate study and 32 percent indicated their interest to send for training
programs in AIT (Figure 11.6). Their opinion were requested on what should AIT target in
its teaching and research for its study programs to be more relevant in professional works.

49

They had given lot of suggestions such as dealing with the weak points of students,
focusing on management of skills, identification of the current development needs at
regional level, improvement in
teaching quality, placement or
internship
in
relevant
organization, focusing on
technical
expertise
and
sustainable
development,
more and team work or
workshops, recruitment of
outstanding students, in-house
management
in
AIT,
developing common research
programs with companies, improving industrial collaboration, focusing on research skill
development exercise, and setting up more professional environment for trainees.
11.2

Perspective of Peers

The closest persons to know every aspects of strength and weakness of the AIT graduates
are their peers. Therefore their rating on the AIT graduates felt necessary. Altogether 106
peers of the full time job holding AIT graduates submitted their completed questionnaires.
The questionnaire was designed to get some personal information of peer and their
perception on AIT and its graduates.
11.2.1 Background Information of Peers

Table 11.2: Nationality of Peers

Sr.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Total

Nationality
Thai
Cambodian
Vietnamese
Nepali
Indonesian
Bhutanese
Filipino
Indian
Laotian
Myanmar
Sri Lankan
Bangladeshi
American
Australian
British
Chinese
Malaysian
Uzbekistani

Frequency

Percent

35
19
12
8
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
106

33.0
17.9
11.3
7.5
4.7
3.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
1.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
0.9
100

50

The personal information requested were on their

age, gender, nationality, current job position,
duration of working together with AIT graduates,
academic qualification and their interest on
studying in AIT. The age of the peer ranges from
23 to 61 years with a mean of 33 and 7 standard
deviation. A vast majority (76%) was found 35 or
below 35 years of age (Figure 11.7). The gender
composition of peers indicated that more male peers (56%) and less female peers (44%) as
shown in Figure 11.8. These peers of the AIT graduates hailed from 18 countries of Asia,
Europe, America, and Australia. Table 11.2 shows
that the highest proportion of peers (33%) were
constituted by Thai followed by Cambodian (18%),
Vietnamese (11%), Nepali (8%), and Indonesian
(5%). They have different types of job positions
ranging from Teaching Assistant to Head of the
Department in the academic institutions and officer
level to Manager or Director Levels including Pilot
and Nurse. However, 19 percent of the responding
peers indicated their position as Officer followed by Engineer (14%), Manager (13%), and
more than 5 percent for Lecturer and Advisor positions (Appendix Table 11.3). Regarding
their academic qualification, 106 respondent peers provided their last academic degrees. It
was found that majority (58) had got masters degrees followed by bachelor degrees (37),
diploma and certificate (3) and Ph D (2) as presented in Figure 11.9. One of the
information inquired with the peers was whether they have applied or intended to apply to
study at AIT. Forty-two percent indicated their interest to study in AITA for which either
they had applied or they are planning to apply. Figure 11.10 shows that the majority (58%)
of peers was not interested to study in AIT with some reasons. The important reasons
given by those peers who did not show their interest to study in AIT were related to their
age factor, having different academic background, and already done masters degree from
elsewhere. However, 42 percent had indicated their interest to study in AIT.
11.2.2 Duration of Working Together
A large proportion (26%) of the peers
indicated that they have been working with
the AIT graduates for more than 1 to less
than 2 years. Figure 11.11 reveals that 18
percent of the peers are working together for
more than 2 and less than 5 years. Sixteen
percent of them indicated that they are
working together with AIT graduates for more than 3 to less than six months. Also there
were 14 percent of the responding peers who indicated that they are working together for
even more than 5 years. Similarly, 10 percent of them reported that they are working
together for only less than 3 months.
11.2.3 Rating on Job Performance of AIT Graduates by Peers
In order to get the information about the judgment of peers on the job performance of AIT
graduates in terms of knowledge and technical skills on given task, positive attitude

51

towards sustainable development, English proficiency, team work, ability to interact with
expatriate / international team, commitments/dedication to the work, work efficiency,
work competency, and gender awareness and applications. The rating scales were ranging
from very high to very low but none of the peers rated as very low level of performance.
More than 90 percent of the peers considered as very high and high levels of job
performances in all other aspects except in the job performance related to gender
awareness and application (Figure 11.12).

11.2.4 Strength and Weakness of AIT Graduates as Perceived by Peers

Several points indicating the strength of the AIT graduates were made such as, good
command in English language, good in computing, commitments / dedication to the
community transformation, comprehensive knowledge, positive thinking, reliable and
sincere, higher research ability, self-confidence, seriousness in work, ability to teamwork,
communication skills and interactive, eager to learn more, straight forward, with positive
attitudes, and high level of problem solving skills. The weaknesses of the AIT graduates
were also pointed out by the respondent peers such as low English proficiency, giving little
time to family and family matters, put high pressure on works and colleagues, more
sensitive, talkative, quick decision taker, too emotional, sometimes stubborn, aggressive,
easy to lose temper, lacks in critical thinking, inadequate knowledge on social research,
lacks in practical experiences, and weak in policy analysis.
11.2.5 Suggestion to AIT by Peers

52

The opinion of the peers was inquired on what AIT should target in its teaching and
research for its study programs to be more relevant in professional works. They had given
some valid suggestions such as course should be interdisciplinary, direct collaboration
with regional GOs, and NGOs should be established, enroll students giving priority to
needy countries, developing practical field based curriculum, run such programs that
promote technical aspects as well as attitude and behavior changes, international exchange
of academic ideas, start internship programs, follow strict rules for selection procedure
while allocating full scholarships, and research focus on practical need or issues of the
country. In addition, they have given on strengthening research skills particularly in social
field focusing on sustainable community development.

Key Findings
and Recommendations

12.1`Trace Studies in AIT

The tracer study of AIT graduates has been one of the important research activities in AIT.
The first tracer study was done in 1971. The periodic tracing of AIT alumni focuses on
updating the alumni directory and gathering certain information required for the
improvement of AIT curriculum, teaching, research, extension, and networking. As of
January, 2009, altogether 14 AIT Alumni tracer studies have been conducted, including
this one, Tracer Study of AIT Graduates (2003 to mid 2008). This latest tracer study
includes one more separate report for the Tracer Study of AIT graduates with Norwegian
Scholarship (2005 to mid 2008).
RECOMMENDATION
o
o

12.2

Regularly in an annual basis individual tracer study by each field of study and a comprehensive
tracer study by AIT in every five year is recommended.
A partial tracer study of all AIT graduates in view of the potential senior graduates influential
position to assist to their Alma Mater. A two step survey will be more appropriate. In the first
step a census survey based on one page questionnaire for the current contact details and current
job profile and based on this the second step a sample survey of the most representative and
potential for the partnerships with AIT is recommended.

Tracer Study of AIT Graduates (2003 to mid 2008)

The target population was 3996 constituted by 62 percent males and 38 percent females.
More than 91 percent of the target graduates had received master degree followed by
doctoral (8%) and diploma (1%) from AIT. Although these graduates represented 60
countries more than 53% percent belong to Thailand. The other countries with large
number of target graduates are India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Cambodia,
Lao PDR, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan, France, Bhutan, Philippines and Korea. The
highest proportion of target graduates was from East Asia and Pacific region followed by
South Asia, Europe, Africa /Middle East/Latin America, Central Asia, and North America.
Based on the World Banks classification of the countries by income categories, the
highest proportion of the target graduates was from LIC followed by LMC, HIC, and

53

UMC. Altogether 1121 submitted the completed questionnaires among them 445 (40%)
were female respondents. The gender distribution of target graduates and respondent
graduates was found more or less same. The respondent graduates were from 22 countries
and mainly from East Asia and Pacific and South Asia regions. Majority (59%) of the
respondent graduates was from LIC followed by 41 percent from LMC. Only 5 and 2
respondent graduates were from HIC and UMC, respectively.
RECOMMENDATION
AIT graduates in LIC and in Asia have positive impacts in natural resource management, poverty
alleviation, gender empowerment, energy, environment, infrastructure and communication sector and in
turn sustainable development. Therefore, AIT should further intensify its roles mainly targeting to produce
12.3
Research
more capable
humanMethodology
resources for LIC and Asia to meet their educational and development needs.

The research method followed a kind of census survey targeting all the 3996 AIT
graduates (2003 to mid 2008) and heavily dependent on mailing questionnaire survey
through email and postal services and online submissions. Out of total respondent
graduates, 600 (54%) sent the completed questionnaires by email as an attachment files,
426 respondents (38%) submitted through online, and remaining 95 respondents (8%) sent
by post or in person to the researcher during personal interview. The quality of response is
better in the questionnaires received from the personal interview. The researcher tried to
reach target alumni through the respective AITAA National Chapters. The target group
was recent past five years one (2003 to mid 2008), however, the respective AIT Alumni
National Chapters were mainly constituted by the most senior ones and there was a gap
between seniors and juniors which posed some difficulties in approaching recent ones
through seniors.
RECOMMENDATION
o The quality of response found better in personal interview methods and therefore at least 25
percent of the response should be constituted by the personal interview in futures while doing
similar research. The response rate also higher in countries where visits were made by the
researcher. Therefore more number of visits with more time in the fields will increase response
rate and quality of the responses.
o The recent contact details should be readily available to the researcher which would help to get
better rate of response and also save the time as well cost of the research. Therefore, AIT should
update contact details before inviting researcher to submit proposal for the tracer study in
futures.
o A substantial proportion (38%) of the respondents AIT graduates submitted questionnaires
through online. Most of them suggested for the easy access to the AIT Website. Therefore, AIT
should consider this issue so that this approach can be used more effectively in futures.
o AIT database system has to be improved so that some of the key information such as scholarship
types, number of head counts and degrees (some has got more than two degrees), and current
contact details of alumni should be readily available. Therefore the proposed field of study level
tracer study will be helpful in many ways.

12.4

Relevancies and Effectiveness of AIT Degree

The effectiveness and relevance of AIT degree was viewed as a resource and credential for
employment/job placement upon graduation from AIT for both male and female graduates.
Immediately after graduation from AIT, 95 percent of Thai and 85 percent of Non-Thai
respondent graduates chose to remain in or return to own countries, respectively. On as
average, 78 percent went back to their own countries to contribute new knowledge and
skills learnt in AIT. Remaining 22 percent chose other than own county due to various

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reasons such as continuing study for PhD, continuing research at AIT and having got
better paid jobs compared to the jobs in own country. In terms of gender, 79 percent of
males and 77 percent of females returned/remained their home countries. A vast majority
(85%) of the actual responding graduates reported that they are employed in various jobs
at present and 8 percent were found involved in study programs for their further academic
career advancements. Five percent of the AIT graduates reported their involvement as
business. Less than 2 percent specified their other involvements. A large majority in both
gender (34 percent of males and 30 percent of females) indicated that their jobs were
confirmed even before graduation from AIT. As indicated, AIT studies have been exactly
related for a large majority of them (57%) followed by partly related for 39 percent and
not related for 4 percent for their current jobs and businesses.
RECOMMENDATION
The AIT degree have contributed significantly in getting new jobs even confirmed before graduation for a
substantial proportion of the respondent AIT graduates. This seems that AIT degree has been very
effective for employment and job placement; however, from the relevancy point of view AIT should
consider to increase the proportion for exactly related as 39 percent of the working AIT graduates had
indicated that the AIT degree is somewhat/partially related.

12.5

Professional Status and Ranks of the AIT Graduates

The comparison of professional status and ranks of the AIT graduates was made
considering the last job before AIT and the current job after graduation from AIT. The
junior level of position was found predominant for the last job before AIT as 75 percent
males and 80 percent females indicated for the same. However, the middle level was found
in largest proportion for the current job positions of both gender (73 percent males and 71
percent females). This clearly indicated that AIT studies have significantly contributed in
job status/ranks. A large majority (39%) of the AIT graduates was receiving salaries in the
range of 201 to 500 US$/month for the last job before AIT. In contrast, for the current job,
majority (33%) respondents indicated salaries in the range of 501 to 1000 US$/month.
This means the AIT degrees have enormous contribution in both job ranks as well salary
levels.
RECOMMENDATION
The AIT studies have contributed significantly in getting new jobs with higher ranks and higher salaries
for both male and female AIT graduates. AIT should develop a network with the better ranked and high
salary receiving graduates soon so that the scope of job market of the AIT graduates could be further
widened. The proposed partial tracer study to all AIT graduates will be helpful for this matter.

12.6

Relevancy of AIT Courses/Curricula and Research to Current Profession

The effectiveness and relevance of AIT Courses/Curricula and Research were viewed from
the perspective of current job function and professional development in respective fields
and furthering academic/scientific pursuits. The Academic and Research Institutions were
found providing employment for the higher proportion (24%) of the target AIT graduates
for the current job positions. Similarly, 20 percent of them were employed by their
respective Private Sector followed by Central Governments (19%), International /
Regional Organization (16%), Non-governmental Organizations (7%), Public Sector /
Utility Provider (5%) and Financial Institutions (4%). Nearly 60 percent of the respondent
AIT graduates reported Project Implementation as individual main function at work

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followed by Management as indicated by the 54 percent of the actual responding AIT

graduates. Slightly more than 44 percent of them found mainly contributing for Research
Analysis / Policy Inputs type of works. Similarly, 37 percent mainly involved in Teaching
followed by 36 percent in Knowledge / Information Dissemination.
Out of the 963 responding AIT graduates, 72 percent indicated that knowledge and skills
gained from the course works have been highly and very highly useful. Similarly, the
knowledge and skills gained from the AIT research, workshops/field visits; staying at
multicultural / international environment; networking with peers, professors, and staff; and
by overall program has been reported as highly and very highly useful by 71 percent, 61
percent, 70 percent, 63 percent, and 73 percent, respectively. Amongst 777 responded AIT
graduates, 222 (29%) reported about their further studies after graduation from AIT. The
overall scenario of the contribution of the AIT graduates in the scientific, educational and
professional fields is encouraging, particularly in research and publication, membership in
the professional organizations, consulting works, participation and paper presentations in
the international conferences and seminars. The remarkable contributions are visible from
the list of their contributions in various scientific and educational fields.
RECOMMENDATION
o Since majority of the AIT graduates are involved in academic institutions and contributing a lot
in various scientific, educational, and professional field; AIT should develop a mechanism to get
their copies of publications for AIT Library and look at the different possibilities of research
collaboration with them
o Comparing the influential position of jobs before AIT and after AIT, a substantial proportion has
moved to the international / regional organizations which have enormous contribution to AITs
mission. AIT should take initiative to foster partnerships with such graduates.

12.7

Networking

The target AIT graduates were requested to list professional and social networks including
AITAA. Altogether 243 respondent AIT graduates reported professional and social
networks in which they were involved or affiliated. Only 110 (45%) indicated their
affiliation with AITAA and related organizations. Majority of the respondent AIT
graduates (54%) has networks in the national level followed by global level (27%) and
regional level (19%). Ninety-one percent indicated that their membership type in the
professional or social networks is general and 9 percent reported as executive types. The
degree of involvement varies among different members of the social and professional
networks. The higher proportion (36%) indicated as medium level of involvement
followed by high level (24%), low level (20%), very high level (13%) and very low level
by 7 percent of the responding AIT graduates.
RECOMMENDATION
AIT should take an initiative to strengthen the AITAA National Chapters so that all the AIT graduates
could get membership and participate in any activities related to AIT and AITAA. Only 45 percent
indicated their affiliation with AITA which indicate that the network of AITAA is not strong. The
Association needs to do more in strengthening relationship among members so that they can perceive
its value.

12.8

Gender Awareness and Application

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When the frequencies of major foci of the contributed projects or research studies were
analyzed, 16 percent of the respondent AIT graduates reported their contribution in gender
awareness and application. Thus the involvement of AIT graduates in gender and
development projects and research studies seems very low which is obvious due to the fact
that a vast majority of them had AIT degrees from other than related field of study. The
employers and peers of the AIT graduates were requested to judge the level of gender
awareness and application of the AIT graduates including their other aspects of the works.
The very high and high levels of ratings was done by the 79 percent of employers and 84
percent of the peers. It indicates that even if their academic degree is not from the related
field of study, AIT graduates are aware and contributing for gender and development.
RECOMMENDATION
Certainly the gender awareness and application is necessary for the sustainable and equitable
development, it is recommended that student undergoes some sort of training, either a course or short
training or inclusive of thesis/dissertation research so that future AIT graduates can make more
contribution on gender and development matters.

12.9

Relevancy and Flexibility of AIT Courses/Research

In order to fulfill AITs mission to develop highly qualified and committed professionals
who play leading roles in the region's sustainable development an attempt was made to
find out the relevance and flexibility of AIT courses/curricula, research and outreach
activities and its integration into the global economy. Majority (55%) of the AIT graduates
had an impression that the teaching quality in AIT is very good followed by good (29%)
and excellent (15%). On an average, majority in all the three categories (gender, economic
classification, and region) indicated the teaching quality of AIT as very good. A large
majority (78%) considered the contribution of thesis /dissertation supervisor as high and
very high. In case of committee members contribution, majority (62%) considered as high
and very high. Seventy-percent and 72 percent indicated as high and very high level of
flexibility in choice in masters research topic and doctoral dissertation topic, respectively.
Eighty-four percent of employers rated as very high and high levels of performance on
knowledge and technical skills on given task. Same levels of performances were indicated
by 92 percent of the employers on positive attitude of AIT graduates towards sustainable
development. Fifty-five percent considered as high, 28 percent for medium, 16 percent for
very high and 1 percent for low on English proficiency of the AIT graduates. Eighty-eight
percent of the respondent employers considered very high and high levels of job
performance on team work. Ninety-two percent of the respondent employers found job
performance as very high and high on ability to interact with expatriate. The very high
and high levels of ratings was done by 96 percent of responding employers on
commitment/dedication to the work, 92 percent indicated on work efficiency, 90 percent
for work competency, and 79 percent on gender awareness and application. Regarding the
prospects of AIT graduates in the job markets, 81 percent of the responding employers
considered that there is a high and very high prospect.
RECOMMENDATION
The AIT graduates have shown their concern with the quality of teaching and research at AIT and
provided valuable suggestions for strengthening AIT targeting its future graduates. Their suggestions are
related to teaching, course, research, management and consulting works which have to be well considered
by AIT.

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12.10 Development Contribution

Altogether 289 respondent AIT graduates provided the list of 757 development projects /
research studies in which they had significantly contributed after graduation from AIT. Out
of these 289 responding graduates 232 had involved in two projects, 133 had contributed
for 3 projects, 61 had worked for 4 projects and 42 had even contributed significantly for 5
projects after graduation from AIT. The major foci of the contributed projects or research
studies were found to environment as indicated by 66 percent of the respondent graduates
followed by infrastructure / transport / communication (59%), natural resource
management (38%), policy analysis (37%), economics / marketing / management (34%),
poverty alleviation (34%), energy (32%), capacity development (25%), agriculture / rural
development (18%), gender awareness and application (16%), and human rights / peace
building and health including HIV/AIDS (3%). The respondent AIT graduates were also
inquired for their types of contribution to projects or research studies in terms of design,
implementation, supervision, and monitoring and evaluation. Multiple responses were
received since same person could contribute in only one type or more than one types. The
highest proportion of them (88%) was found for project implementation followed by
project design (77%), and 56 and 54 percent for project supervision and monitoring and
evaluation, respectively.
RECOMMENDATION
o Although one can not deny the high demand and importance of environment, information
technology, infrastructure development, and business management; at the same time, more focus
on poverty alleviation, agricultural/rural development, gender awareness and application is to be
given.
o To fulfill this gap, it is recommended to lunch a strong integrated and interdisciplinary program
by AIT.

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