Norway to contribute US$3.1 million
The government of Norway has announced its support of AIT's proposal on 'Education for Sustainable Development' from 2006 to 2009. Total approved support from Norway is NOK 20,000,000 (approximately US$3.1 million). The signing ceremony will be held at AIT on Thursday, 27 April 2006.
The contribution will be used to fund scholarships, Gender and Development Studies and academic networking between Norwegian and regional institutions.
The objective of the program is to enhance capacity building in such South and
Southeast Asia countries as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, East Timor, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, such Mekong Region low-income countries as Lao PDR and Cambodia, and other less developed countries in Asia.
Funding is specifically slated for: 65 master's and eight doctoral degree scholarships; one full-time GDS faculty position from 2006 to 2009; one visiting faculty member/editor-in-chief during 2006; support for the publication of the Gender, Technology and Development Journal for one managing editor, one editorial assistant, two-week yearly visits of three chief editors and some miscellaneous costs related to the journal; support for GDS networking with Norwegian institutions; experts from industries and universities to conduct lectures, joint seminars and training workshops; resources for faculty and student exchange program between AIT and Norwegian universities/institutions; secondment of Norwegian faculty in the School of Environment, Resources and Development.
H.E. Ms. Merete Fjeld Brattested, Norwegian ambassador to Thailand and AIT President Said Irandoust will sign the agreement.