The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has joined with Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Norwegian Electricity Cooperation (NEC) to establish a three-year cooperative program for MBA graduate education, research, training, and consultancy activities designed to support the development of human resources in Vietnam related to the power market, power transmission and finance and investment industries.
In a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last week at separate ceremonies on February 27th and 28th at the campus of AIT located in Pathumthani, Thailand, and in Hanoi, Vietnam, respectively, the three parties agreed to a deal for education which officials believe will contribute to the improved implementation of Vietnam’s power industry and assist the country’s sustainable development.
Based on the MoU, selected Vietnam Electricity staff members will gain admission to AIT’s elite international Executive Master’s of Business Administration (iEMBA) program offered at its School of Management (SOM), with a specialization on Electricity Management program in Vietnam.
Funding for 10 scholarships per year for three years (2008-2011) is secured, under the terms of the agreement which takes practical effect August 2008. Norwegian Electricity Cooperation has agreed to fund the equivalent of five (5) or more full scholarships, and EVN is expected to match this pledge and contribute an equivalent of five (5) or more scholarships.
Vietnam Electricity is an economic group with diversified business interests that include the production and sale of electricity, public telecommunications, finance, banking, and electro-mechanical manufacturing. EVN plays a core role in the development of the Vietnam electric power industry. In cooperation with AIT and NEC, Vietnam Electricity will seek funding to achieve the long term (6-10 years) sustainability of this partnership.
NEC is a cooperative entity between some of the biggest hydropower producers, transmitters and distributors of hydropower electricity in Norway, annually producing more than 60 TWh from hydropower plants throughout Norway.
According to the deal, NEC will offer training in Norway to EVN participants on the operation of the NordPool power market, through which students could become certified as power market operators. In cooperation with AIT, NEC will also form an expert group to provide consultancy assistance to EVN in the areas of hydro power, power market operation, power transmission and investment analysis. The groups will also target potential hydro investment projects between some or all the Norwegian energy companies in NEC and EVN.
AIT will be able to offer English-language preparation courses for those Vietnamese nationals selected to study at AIT. The program will be administered by AIT, and the School of Business will appoint a project coordinator for this purpose. NEC will cover the costs for the English courses, as well as costs for the training of EVN staff in Norway.
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is a leading international post-graduate institute founded in 1959, and is one of Asia’s pioneer institutions established to help meet the region’s growing needs for advanced learning in engineering, science, technology and management, research and capacity building. AIT is based in Pathumthani, Thailand and has affiliated centers in Vietnam and Indonesia.
The School of Management (SOM) at AIT is one of Asia's leading business schools, and is noted for its management development programs in International Business and Management of Technology. The School was established in October 1987 to meet the growing need for managerial expertise in the Asia-Pacific region. SOM’s objective is to stimulate the quality of management education and practices the region, leading to sustainable development, outstanding leadership, entrepreneurial spirit., wealth creation and pride.