During the meeting, Mr. Mechai shared his experience of working with
local and marginalized communities in the area of sustainable
development and poverty alleviation. While recognizing AIT’s wide range
of expertise and outreach engagements, Dr. Mechai stressed the need to
focus on local development needs and poverty alleviation.
In his opening remarks, AIT President Said Irandoust highlighted the
need for AIT to engage with its client countries as well as the
communities it serves. He underlined the need to address the challenges
of Asian societies, while continuing with its agenda of education and
research. Dr. Ebbers provided a brief overview of current outreach
activities and projects at AIT.
Prof. Sudip K. Rakshit, Vice President (Research) stressed the need to
accommodate new development activities. The institute needed to respond
rapidly to emerging needs and chart a middle and long-term strategy and
action plan, he said.
Among those who attended the meeting included Mr. Joseph D'Cruz ,
Regional Advisor-Environment UNDP Asia Pacific ; Ms. Sarah Katz,
Outreach Specialist (ADB); Dr. Apichai Sunchindah, Policy Advisor
(GTZ); Dr. Edsel Sajor, Coordinator, Urban Environmental management
Field of Study at AIT; Prof. Jayant Kumar Routray, Director-ASEAN
Regional Center of Excellence on MDGs; Prof. Athapol Noomhorm,
Professor and Coordinator, Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology
Field of Study; Mr. Hans Guttman, Coordinator, Wetlands Alliance, and
Mr. P. V. Gopi Krishna, Coordinator, Sponsored and Contracted Projects,
all of AIT participated in the meeting. External members who could not
join the first meeting were Dr. Martin Krause, Regional Team Leader
& Regional Technical Adviser (UNDP) and Dr. Ellie O. Osir, Senior
Program Specialist (IDRC, Singapore).
The Outreach Council will further enhance and assist in providing
directions towards AIT’s outreach engagements. The council shall meet
four times every year.