From left, Dr. Rajendra, Dr.
Ranamukhaarachchi, Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Prof. Sieghard Holzloehner, Dr. Badejo and
Dr. Francis, Mr. Zakir, Mr. Adesina and Dr. Roland
Amoussou-Guenou.
On 23 June 2008, a delegation from the academic and
environmental sectors of Nigeria visited the Asian
Institute of Technology to discuss future collaboration.
This initial meeting aimed to create a framework for a mutually
beneficial scientific and technical cooperation between the institute
and the academic and environmental sectors of Nigeria.
Discussions on possible capacity building endeavors, human resource
development and other collaborative activities in Nigeria
were probed. Objectives include the expansion of the Nigerian
institutions and the enhancement of scientific and technical knowledge
in Africa.
Prof. Sieghard Holzloehner, UNIDO Regional Consultant on
Mangrove Ecosystems and Integrated Coastal Management, Institute of
Oceanography (IOC), University of Calabar (UNICAL), presented an
official letter from Prof. S. W. Petters – FAS, Acting Vice Chancellor
of Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria to Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai,
Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, expressing their
interest in future collaboration with AIT.
After acknowledging AIT's expertise in capacity building in Asia,
discussions on human capital building for Africa were also
explored. The Nigerian officials said there was much to learn from
AIT's development experiences and best practices in Asia, especially in
relevant fields of studies such as agriculture, civil engineering,
mechatronics, food engineering, environment, computer science,
telecommunication, biotechnology, nanotechnology, offshore technology,
entrepreneurship and intellectual property management.
On behalf of AIT, Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai explained that the institute’s approach towards
collaborative engagement with Nigeria would
go beyond higher learning. AIT envisions a sophisticated transfer of
knowledge and capacities, application of appropriate technology and a
grasp of industrial issues related to nation-building.
The delegation was also informed that the AIT President Prof.
Said Irandoust plans to visit Africa late this year to
explore possible linkages with the interested African nations. Dr.
Roland Amoussou-Guenou, manager of AIT's Asia-Africa Initiative, will
maintain communication with the delegation and also explore
possibilities for a future AIT visit to Nigeria. Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai extended his
gratitude to Mr. Md. Zakir Hossain, a doctoral student at
Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management, SERD, for bridging this
initiative.
seminar-cum-study visit program in Thailand organized by
AIT Extension from 22 June – 1 July 2008. The
main objectives of the visit include:
- Studying the scope and existing opportunities in the fields
of academia, training, research and development; - Evaluating the role that AIT can play in the field of
Nigerian’s environment in general and coastal zone management in
specific; - Participating in field visits on ICM activities and
development and Nypa palm utilization in Thailand; - Considering future cooperation
among institutes and organizations and between the two
countries
Prof. Sieghard Holzloehner, UNIDO
Regional Consultant on Mangrove Ecosystems and Integrated Coastal
Management, Institute of Oceanography (IOC),
University of Calabar (UNICAL)
Dr. Francis M. Nwosu, Lecturer,
IOC-UNICAL
Dr. Salomon O. Badejo, Executive Director,
Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Ministry
of Environment, Housing and Urban Development
Mr. James Bayo Adesina, Deputy Director, Forest
Resources Survey and Environmental Conservation, Nigerian Federal
Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development
Mr. William Etim Okon, Principal
Forestry Officer, Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and
Urban Development
Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Dean, SET
Dr. S. L. Ranamukhaarachchi, Acting Dean,
SERD
Dr. Rajendra P. Shrestha, Coordinator-NRM, SERD
Dr. Pritam K. Shrestha, Head-ERCO
Dr. Roland Amoussou-Guenou, Manager AIT-Africa
Initiative
Dr. Joko Harsono Widjaja, Visiting Associate Professor,
SET
Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Program Officer, ERCO.
Joko, Dr. Rajendra, Dr. Ranamukhaarachchi, Prof.
Worsak, Prof.
Sieghard, Dr. Badejo and Dr.
Francis, Mr. Zakir, Mr. Adesina and Dr. Roland