The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has recently been making
concerted efforts to connect with Africa in terms of higher education.
This week H.E. Mr. Umaru Azores Suleiman (below
right), Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to
Thailand, accompanied by Mr. Abubakar Ramat Salihu,
Second Secretary Embassy of Nigeria, visited AIT to discuss
possibilities for partnership in joint research projects, capacity
building and poverty alleviation, all of which could lead to more
students from Nigerian coming to Thailand.
At a meeting on August 21st AIT President Prof. Said
Irandoust briefed Ambassador Suleiman on the institute’s
recent designation by the United Nations as the permanent site
of the world’s first Regional Centre of Excellence on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs); and how this and other initiatives could help
with Nigeria’s sustainable development. This was followed by an
overview of AIT’s “Asia-Africa Initiative for Higher Learning in
Science and Technology for Development” concept paper that is aimed at
bridging the science and technology gap between Asia and Africa through
‘south-south’ cooperation.
The Nigerian Ambassador has expressed great interest in AIT and has
offered to assist with promotional efforts not only in Nigeria but also
other parts of African. The ambassador also assured institute officials
that he would help in connecting AIT with government agencies, private
and public sector agencies, and research institutes towards further
enhancing the cooperation between AIT and Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr. Umaru Azores Suleiman, Ambassador
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Thailand accompanied by Mr.
Abubakar Ramat Salihu, Second Secretary Embassy of Nigeria visited AIT.
During their visit to AIT, they also met, Prof. Vilas Wuwongse, Vice
President for External Relations, Prof. Sudip Rakshit, Vice President
for Research, Dr. Joydeep Dutta, Associate Dean SET, Dr.
Jonathan Shaw, Director AIT extension, Dr. Pritam K. Shrestha,
Head-External Relations and Communication Office (ERCO) Dr. Roland
Amousou-Guenou, Manager, Asia –Africa Initiative, and Mr. Tenzin
Rabgyal, Program Officer.
Mr. Othniel Mintang Yila, a Nigerian doctoral candidate, shared his
experiences of living and studying at AIT, and informed the ambassador
that he had chosen AIT because the research models and practicability
of the knowledge are very applicable to the context of Africa and
suited for the development of his country. He even informed all
attending that he had turned down offers of scholarships to study in
Europe and America, and had been advised by his former colleagues and
professors that if he wished to complete his doctorate then AIT would
be the best choice.