Leading Republic of the Philippines Senator Loren Legarda visited the
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) on July 22nd to discuss the
possibility of future collaboration between the Thailand-based
institute and relevant government agencies and universities in the
Philippines.
During her visit, Senator Legarda met with AIT President Prof. Said
Irandoust and Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein, Vice President for Development and
Resources. Earlier this year, the senator held a meeting with Dr. Khin
Ni Ni Thein at the Philippine Senate.
Formerly a renowned journalist and environmental advocate, the senator
indicated her strong support for AIT's leading-edged projects in solid
waste management, as well as its Hydroinformatics for Asia (HI4A)
program.
HI4A aims to activate the development and application of
hydroinformatics tools and implementation mechanisms for the
advancement of sustainable water and land development in relation to
Asian values and cultures. Senator Legarda agreed in principle to serve
as one of the Patrons of Hydroinformatics for Asia, and to assist in
ways in which AIT could take a more active role in the context of
drought-stricken areas of the Philippines. Alleviating drought is
currently a priority area of the government.
The senator also requested Dr. Babette Resurreccion of the School of
Environment, Resources and Development to hold a technical working
group during the upcoming “Gender and Climate Change Conference”
scheduled to take place in the Philippines in October 2008.
Based on a review of AIT’s key expertise, it was determined that some
possible areas of collaboration may include a joint program to revisit
the Water Act and Water Law in the Philippines, and the possibility of
creating a hydroinformatics course at the College of Engineering at the
University of Philippines and other state universities.
