Coordinator of Thai-US Creative Partnership, Ms. Aine Shiozaki, stated
that the Creative Partnership initiative brings together business and
government efforts in innovation; increases research and university
exchange; and builds bridges between the private sector and academia.
“It goes beyond traditional infrastructure development and looks
towards deepening partnerships,” Aine said.
Aine added that the focus is on businesses, universities, and public
corporations who are looking towards shared economic growth. Inviting
AIT to join various events under the banner of Creative Partnership,
Aine elaborated on their collaboration with Microsoft and Google, and a
forthcoming NASA event in Bangkok.
Highlighting the “Development Innovation Ventures (DIV)” was Steven
Rynecki, Regional Innovation Advisor, USAID Asia. DIV is an open
competition which seeks to support breakthrough solutions and
interventions, Steven said. “DIV accepts applications on a rolling
basis and covers issues as diverse as agriculture, governance, trade,
education, poverty elimination, environment, gender and global health
among others,” he added.
Attending the deliberations were Prof. C Visvanathan, Dean, School of
Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), AIT; Dr. Fazle Karim and
Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Senior Program Specialists, AIT Extension: Dr.
Gabrielle Groves, Head, External Relations and Communications Office
(ERCO); Mr. Justin Arnold Finch, Project Development Manager; Mr. P.V.
Gopi Krishna, Coordinator, Research and Education Support; and Ms.
Lucena Dante Talaid, Program Officer, ERCO.
More details about Creative Partnership are available at this link: http://www.creativepartnership.org/
More details about DIV are available at this link: http://www.usaid.gov/div
