Prof. Mary Jossy Nakandha Okwakwol (left) and Prof. Said Irandoust.
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Busitema University (BU), Uganda, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable cooperation between the two institutes. The MoU was signed by Prof. Mary Jossy Nakandha Okwakwol, Vice Chancellor, BU, and Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT, on 17 March 2011.
The MoU follows three day long deliberations with the delegation from BU, which arrived at AIT on 15 March, 2011. The delegation held talks with senior AIT officials and also visited AIT facilities. Interacting with senior AIT officials, Prof. Okwakwol stated that BU is the only public university in Eastern Uganda. The University has seven campuses and is keen to develop a Science and Technology Park. BU is also strengthening partnerships with the private sector, and seeks academic and research partnerships with AIT.Prof. Irandoust stated that AIT is keen to expand its horizons in Africa. “Asia and Africa have a lot to learn from each other,” he remarked, while adding that the visit of BU is very important for AIT. He elaborated on new innovative programs launched by AIT, particularly the Professional Master’s programs. Prof. Sudip Kumar Rakshit, Vice President – Research highlighted AIT’s capacity building initiative for faculty development in Ethiopia.Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension, invited the delegation to explore short courses and programs for capacity building. Dr. Roland Amoussou-Guenou, adjunct faculty, School of Management (SOM), AIT and founder, Asia-Africa Foundation (ASAFO), delved on the need to strengthen Asia-Africa partnership. Dr. Nitin Kumar Tripathi, Coordinator, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (RS&GIS) program, SET represented the Dean, School of Engineering and Technology (SET). Dr. Mukand Singh Babel, Coordinator, Water Engineering and Management Field of Study, SET mentioned the proposed launch of the Asian Water Research and Education (AWARE) Center at AIT.
Apart from Prof. Okwakwol, the BU delegation comprised of Prof. Richard Wilfred Odogola, Head, Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Engineering Department; Dr. Samuel Baker Kucel, Dean, Faculty of Engineering; Mr. Johnnie Stephen Wilson Wandera Wafula, Head, Ginning and Textile Engineering Department; and Mr. Elisha Obella, Academic Registrar. Dr. Pritam Krishna Shrestha, Head, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO); Dr. Othniel Mintang Yila, Program Coordinator, ERCO; and Mr. Idi Audu Guga, an AIT doctoral student, also participated in the MoU signing ceremony.
