AIT, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and 6 provinces of Thailand including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samutprakarn and Samut Sakhon signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 2 August 2020 to cooperate on the research project “Integrated Assessment of SDGs Using Earth Observation Technology for Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR).
The agreement represents a commitment of NRCT, AIT and the 6 provinces aimed at developing an integrated assessment of selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using Earth Observation (EO) technology in synergy with regional and local monitoring data and information applicable to the BMR. The project will be carried out during the next three years, covering: Phase 1 - development of a framework and integrated methodology, including stakeholder participation with priority SDGs and targets; Phase 2 - development of the EO technology for supporting the monitoring and assessment of identified SDGs indicators and demonstrate these methodologies; and Phase 3: development of good practices and interlinked strategies.
AIT Vice President for Knowledge Transfer Dr. Naveed Anwar represented President Dr. Eden Woon at the signing ceremony that was a part of the Thailand Research Expo 2020. Senior officials representing the governors of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samutprakarn and Samut Sakhon provinces attended the event and signed the MOU. The event was facilitated by NRCT’s officials, led by an AIT Aluma Dr. Monthip Sriratana, Director of International Center of Excellence - Southeast Asia for Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) Program.
Also present at the event from AIT was Dr. Vilas Nitivattananon and Dr. Wenchao Xue, PI and Co-PI of the project, who will implement the project within a transdisciplinary team that also includes other Co-PI AIT faculty members -- Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Dr. Chutiporn Anutariya, Dr. Salvatore G.P. Virdis and Dr. Indrajit Paul -- in collaboration with researchers within the DBAR Program in China and other countries.