While inviting AIT to join the network, UN-HABITAT describes AIT as an
“international renowned institution,” that will bring real added value
to the award. “
Business Award for Better Cities” seeks to promote business
practices, models and technologies that provide smart and viable
solutions to the challenges of urbanization. Universities are expected
to play a key role in this initiative by providing their expertise to
the process. The award will be launched in September 2011 and the
process will take one year. It will be delivered in Italy at the sixth
session of the World Urban Forum in September 2012.
The UN-HABITAT letter inviting AIT to join the network was received by
Prof. Sudip Kumar Rakshit, Vice President for Research. Commenting on
the invitation, Prof. Rakshit remarked that AIT is happy to a partner
in the prestigious project. “It strengthens our commitment towards
sustainability, and AIT will provide its expertise on issues of urban
and rural quality of life, particularly in the Asian context.”
While UN-HABITAT is the convenor, the global supporting partners
include WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), and
Cities Alliance. AIT and four other universities are “expert and
research partners.”