The Minister while interacting with the AIT President Prof. Said
Irandoust, remarked that the Government is actively considering the
request for financial support to AIT. He added that the Government of
Sri Lanka is seized with the issue of allotment of land to AIT, and a
formal agreement would emerge very soon. “The land allotment has been
agreed in principle and the Honorable President of Sri Lanka is taking
personal interest in this matter,” the Minister added.
Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT, while welcoming the Minister,
informed him of AIT’s latest initiatives. He appreciated the role
played by the Honorable Minister is supporting AIT in all its ventures.
The President remarked that AIT is seeking investment from both local
and international partners. “AIT is committed towards the offer of
demand oriented educational offerings and ensure capacity building in
the region,” he said. The President added that AIT is committed to
maintaining quality control in all programs being offered under the AIT
brand.
The Minister also inquired about other capacity building and training
initiatives of AIT, and expressed his interest in AIT’s expertise in
offering training programs. The Minister also visited AIT Consulting,
and met the Executive Director of AIT Consulting, Dr. Naveed Anwar,
where he was impressed with the range of private sector infrastructure
projects. “There are many infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, which
include roads, bridges and highways, apart from project management
ventures; which may be of interest to AIT,” the Minister added. The
Minister was accompanied by his son, Mr. Yasoja Gunawardena, who
evinced keen interest in AIT’s expertise in structural engineering. The
Minister was guided to AIT Consulting by Ms. Kate Hovey, Operations and
Marketing Manager, and Mr. Justin Arnold Finch, Project Proposal
Writer, AIT Consulting.
Later, the Minister also met Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, Vice
President for Resource Development. He also had a meeting with
students, faculty and staff from Sri Lanka. During the meetings, AIT
was also represented by Mr. Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director, Fundraising,
and Mr. Syed Muntasir Husain Bokhari, Program Officer.
From left to right: Mr. Syed
Muntasir Husain Bokhari, Mr. Yasoja Gunawardena, Dr. Naveed Anwar, H.E.
Mr. Gitanjana Gunawardena, Ms. Kate Hovey, Prof. Said Irandoust and Mr.
Sanjeev Jayasinghe.