Dr. Rijsberman stated that the Foundation is looking towards AIT to
come up with unique and innovative solutions in the field of
sanitation. Impressed with the AIT’s research, laboratory work and
scientific papers, Dr. Rijsberman said they were interested to
incentivize a move from laboratories to the field and a focus on
practice and applications. “We are looking for innovations and
technology, which can benefit 80 per cent of the population that does
not have access to sanitation,” he added.
Welcoming the delegation from the Foundation, Prof. Said Irandoust,
President, AIT, highlighted the professional orientation of programs
offered by AIT. “Professional programs are pedagogically different from
other academic programs, and are oriented towards real life
situations,” Prof. Irandoust said. He highlighted the work done by
AIT’s Habitech Center as well as the Poverty Reduction and Agricultural
Management (PRAM) initiative in Laos, as concrete examples of AIT’s
lab-to-field initiatives.
Earlier Dr. RIjsberman elaborated on the commitment of the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation towards supporting science and technology and
ways to bring advanced engineering down to affordable levels. The focus
is on solutions that work and the Foundation is keen to invest in
research which generates such solutions,” he added. He stressed the
importance of ensuring high-tech solutions for the billion people who
need them the most. Responding to the need for high-tech solutions for
the poor, Prof. Irandoust stated that AIT has always believed in
technology that is appropriate, advanced and applicable.
Referring to his association with AIT, Dr. Rijsberman revealed that
while he had visited the Institute in 1979; he had also signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AIT in 2005, as the then
Director General of International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
The delegation also included Mr. Doulaye Kone, Senior Program Officer,
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Those who attended the meeting
included Dr.Weerakorn Ongsakul, Dean, School of Environment, Resources
and Development (SERD); Dr. Thammarat Koottatep of SERD; Dr. Pritam
Krishna Shrestha, Head, External Relations and Communications Office
(ERCO); and Ms. Tiamkare Thitithamtada, Program Officer, ERCO. The
delegation also had detailed discussions with senior AIT faculty and
staff.
From left to right: DrWeerakorn Ongsakul,
Prof Said Irandoust, Dr Thammarat Koottatep, Dr Frank Rijsberman and Mr
Doulaye Kone.