Mr. Abdul Binrahim, Vice-President of Princess Naradhiwas University (PNU); Prof. Johan De Graeve, President and Chief Executive of GROUP T; Dr. Chongrak Palasai, President of PNU; Ms. Phanpen Palasai, Member of the Faculty of Engineering of PNU and Prof. Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, Former Minister of International Affairs of Thailand and Chairman of TAFIU.
Every year, the Thai Association for International Understanding (TAIFU) pays tribute to four so-called outstanding persons. Krasae Chanawongse, former Thai Minister of International Affairs, nominated Group T's President, Johan De Graeve. The award was handed over during a ceremony in Bangkok on December 22, 2010.
Southeast Asia
Exactly 10 years ago, Johan De Graeve expanded Group T's scope to include Thailand, the gate to the Greater Mekong Subregion. Ever since, Group T has founded several innovative projects in the area and entered into partnerships with universities in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province (China).
From 2000 to 2004, Group T 's President was Senior Consultant at UNESCO Thailand. In 2004 he started the research project Towards a True Engineering Education: Eastern Spiritual Traditions Contain the Key to Living in the Age of Technology, followed by Engineering Emptiness.
De Graeve also invited six staff members from the Greater Mekong Subregion. The faculty exchange lead to the founding of the Group T Greater Mekong Subregion–Academic Alumni Alliance in 2007.
Princess Naradhiwas University
During the awarding ceremony, Dr. Krasae praised Johan De Graeve and the results he achieved. A special mentioning went to the Princess Naradhiwas University (PNU) in Southern Thailand. Group T awarded scholarships to four of their staff members to complete a master in engineering at Group T and at the same time to get to know the ins and outs of the university college. Upon their return they will be able to use this expertise to expand the engineering program at their home university.
A delegation of 30 PNU-students accompanied by President Chongrak Palasai, Vice President Abdul Binrahim, and Precha Salamae, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, traveled to Bangkok to congratulate De Graeve and to thank him for his commitment.
