Sri Lanka evinces interest in AIT programs

Sri Lanka has evinced interest in the one year profressional Master's
program launched by AIT. This was indicated by the Mr. W.K.K.
Kumarasiri, Secretary, Ministry of Nation Building and Estate
Infrastructure Development, Government of Sri Lanka during an
interaction with the AIT delegation led by Professor Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice President for Resource Development.

The Secretary informed the AIT delegation that it was vital to train
the national planning officers by upgrading their knowledge and
capacity development through practical postgraduate training programs.
Prof. Worsak informed the Secretary about the recently launched
professional one-year Master's program. Prof. Worsak mentioned that the
curriculum of the program could be tailor made to match the
requirements of the overall objectives of the government of Sri Lanka.
The Secretary indicated that the one-year program would be appropriate
for the planning officers; since one semester of this program can be
undertaken in Sri Lanka, with the remaining time would be spent at AIT.
The Secretary informed the AIT delegation that a concept note on the
priority areas and needs for this practical training would be prepared
very shortly, following which AIT can jointly work on the concept note.

The AIT delegation included among others, Dr. Nitin Afzulpurkar, Dean
School of Engineering and Technology (SET); Dr. Amararatne
Yakupitiyage, Associate Professor Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources
Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development; Dr.
Wenresti Glino Gallardo, Associate Professor and Coordinator,
Aquaculture & Aquatic Resources Management; and Mr. Sanjeev
Jayasinghe, Director Fundraising.

The AIT delegation also paid a courtesy call on Hon. Gitanjana
Gunawardene, Minister of Housing and Common Amenities. The Honorable
minister informed Prof. Worsak that he would be visiting AIT between
27-30 October, 2009.
Sri Lanka has also evinced in AIT’s Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources
Management (AARM) Field of Study. Dr. Amararatne Yakupitiyage, and Dr.
Wenresti Glino Gallardo met officials from the Aquatic Resource
Development and Quality Improvement Project, National Aquaculture
Development Authority, and National Aquatic Resources Research and
Development, to discuss the current status and the need to develop the
aquaculture of sea bass, seaweed, sea cucumber, oyster and
mussel.


From Left to right: Dr. Nitin
Afzulpukar Dean SET, Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai Vice President for
Resource Development, Mr. W.K.K. Kumarasiri Secretary Ministry of
Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Bimba
Gunaralilalu Additional Director General and Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe
Director Fundraising.