Dear Colleagues, Students, Alumni, and Friends of AIT,

It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of our esteemed colleague and dear friend, Professor Emeritus Dr. Karl E. Weber, who left us on 18 March 2026 at 1:00 a.m. at Sukhumvit Hospital in Bangkok.

Professor Weber joined AIT in February 1978 as a German Government seconded faculty member. He began as an Associate Professor in Rural Development Planning within the Human Settlements Development (HSD) Division. He was subsequently promoted to full Professor, teaching and researching across an exceptionally broad range of fields, including Human Resources Development, Agricultural Systems Planning and Development, Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources Management, Regional Rural Development Planning, Participatory Planning, Land Settlement Planning, Urban Planning and Development, Gender and Development, and Slum and Squatter Settlement Upgrading, first in HSD (1983–1993) and then in the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) until 1999.

Professor Weber held key leadership roles at AIT. He served two full terms as Chairman of the HSD Division (April 1982–March 1986), was the Founding Dean of SERD (March 1993–March 1996, with a brief second term in April–June 1996), Vice President for Academic Affairs (July 1996–September 1998), and Vice President for Management (September 1998–June 1999). On numerous occasions, he also served as Acting President and Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, providing steady guidance during critical periods. He was a founding faculty member of the Field of Study in Rural Development Planning and played a pivotal role in shaping AIT’s academic and strategic direction through his membership on the Board of Trustees, the Academic Senate, the Policy & Planning Committee, the Appointment & Promotion Committee (which he chaired during his VPAA tenure), and many other key bodies.

In his later years, Professor Weber continued to contribute to the Institute’s governance and recognition efforts. He served as a member of the AIT Hall of Fame Selection Panel in 2019, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Audit Committee.

Professor Weber’s contributions extended far beyond titles. He was the driving force behind major development partnerships, notably as Manager of the CIDA/AIT Human Settlements Training Project (1978–1985), the CIDA/AIT Broad-Based Development Programme (1983–1989), and the Canadian Universities Consortium Partnership Project (1988–1993). He authored or co-authored numerous Institute Plans and strategy papers that continue to influence AIT’s direction today. His 379 publications, research reports, and the two major photographic exhibitions he organised on His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s leadership in rural development remain lasting testimonies to his commitment to Thailand and the region.

Above all, Professor Weber’s greatest and most enduring legacy is the thousands of lives he touched through education. He personally supervised and guided the completion of 23 doctoral dissertations and 136 master’s in several fields of study. Hundreds of additional students benefited from his wise counsel as a thesis committee member. Generations of AIT graduates across Asia and beyond carry his rigorous yet compassionate approach to participatory planning, sustainable development, and human-centred solutions.

Even after his formal retirement, Professor Weber remained deeply connected to AIT as Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Adjunct Professor, continuing to serve on advisory boards and nominating committees until very recently. His lifelong dedication to the Institute, to Thailand, and to the German–Thai academic partnership has left an indelible mark on AIT’s identity.

On behalf of the entire AIT community, I extend our deepest condolences to Professor Weber’s family, his many friends, and all those whose lives he enriched. We are also sharing the information regarding the funeral services which we have received from Professor Weber’s family, and is attached.

With heavy hearts but great appreciation,

Professor Pai-Chi Li

President

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)