National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), India is keen to partnerwith the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), particularly in offering joint programs in the field of rural development. This sentiment was expressed by Dr. M.V.Rao, Director General, NIRD, during a visit to AIT on 30 March 2012.
Dr. Rao stated that during its five decades of existence, NIRD has emerged as a premier
institute in India in the field of rural development. Supported by the
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, NIRD is running 40
international training programs. Dr. Rao expressed his appreciation of
AIT, stating that since the mission and vision of the two institutes
are similar, both can work together to impart training to
professionals. He described natural resource management, rural
infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, local governance and
livelihood issues as the focus areas of NIRD.Welcoming the delegation, the AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust
stated that rural development comprises a major part of AIT’s
offerings. The School of Environment, Resource and Development (SERD)
concentrates on rural development issues. AIT also hosts the ASEAN
Regional Center of Excellence on Millennium Development Goals (ARCMDG),
Wetlands Alliance Programme (WAP), Corporate Social Responsibility Asia
Center at AIT, and Yunus Center at AIT, all of which are working in
this field.Prof. Jayant Kumar Routray and Dr. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad of SERD
suggested that the partnership between the two institutes can go much
beyond training programs, and could also include academic exchanges.
Prof. Routray revealed that his association with NIRD dates back to the
sixties when had launched his career at NIRD in 1969.
institute in India in the field of rural development. Supported by the
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, NIRD is running 40
international training programs. Dr. Rao expressed his appreciation of
AIT, stating that since the mission and vision of the two institutes
are similar, both can work together to impart training to
professionals. He described natural resource management, rural
infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, local governance and
livelihood issues as the focus areas of NIRD.Welcoming the delegation, the AIT President Prof. Said Irandoust
stated that rural development comprises a major part of AIT’s
offerings. The School of Environment, Resource and Development (SERD)
concentrates on rural development issues. AIT also hosts the ASEAN
Regional Center of Excellence on Millennium Development Goals (ARCMDG),
Wetlands Alliance Programme (WAP), Corporate Social Responsibility Asia
Center at AIT, and Yunus Center at AIT, all of which are working in
this field.Prof. Jayant Kumar Routray and Dr. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad of SERD
suggested that the partnership between the two institutes can go much
beyond training programs, and could also include academic exchanges.
Prof. Routray revealed that his association with NIRD dates back to the
sixties when had launched his career at NIRD in 1969.
The delegation from NIRD also included Prof. S.Venkatadri, Head,
Centre for Rural Infrastructure (CRI), NIRD; Dr. P. Siva Ram and Dr.
Gandi Reddy, Associate Professors. AIT was represented by Prof. I.M.
Pandey, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Amararatne
Yakupitiyage, Associate Dean (undergraduate program), Mr. Olivier
Drean, Interim Head-External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO)
and Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Senior Program Officer, ERCO.
