In a meeting at AIT on 6 July 2011, a delegation including Dr. Aida
Karazhanova, Head, Institutional Support Component, AIT-UNEP Regional
Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP); Ms. Maria Tomovic,
Green Business and Sustainable Development Consultant, Environment and
Development Policy Section (EDPS), UNESCAP; Mr. Kenan Mogultay , and
Ms. Pitchayanin Sukholthaman; highlighted the Green Growth Capacity
Development Programme (GGCDP).
Ms. Tomovic remarked that the GGCDP is aimed at policy-makers in South
East Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific. It has three components,
namely training of trainers, pilot projects and e-learning. The target
is to reach 1000 policy-makers in the region. She expressed interest in
AIT providing case studies and also offering subject experts for the
program.
Dr. Aida Karazhanova said it was an opportunity for AIT to brand
itself together with ESCAP. The venture has excellent co-branding
potential, she added.
Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT said AIT would explore ways in
which it could work with the GGCDP program. He also thanked Dr. Aida
Karazhanova for her efforts to bring AIT and ESCAP together.
Prof. Jayant Kumar Routray, coordinator of the Regional and Rural
Development Planning (RRDP) and Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and
Management (DPMM) programs at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources
and Development (SERD), stated that AIT is already offering e-learning
courses along with the University of Hawaii and the United Nations
University (UNU). He stressed the effectiveness of video conferencing
technique for e-learning modules.
Prof. Ajit P. Annachhatre, Director, UNAIT Office, cited examples of
AIT’s work in Red River Delta in Vietnam. Prof. Sivanappan Kumar,
Coordinator, Energy Field of Study, SERD, said AIT has been working in
the field of green growth and green energy for a significant period of
time. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension and Deputy Director,
AIT-UNEP Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP),
expressed keen interest on behalf of AIT to participate in the program.
Dr. Vilas Nitivattananon, coordinator, Urban Environmental Management
(UEM) field of study delved on AIT’s role in sustainable urban
development. Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul, Dean, School of Environment,
Resources and Development (SERD); Dr. David Fergusson, Visiting
Research Fellow at AIT’s School of Management (SOM); Bayasgalan
Sanduijav, Senior Programme Officer, AIT-RRC.AP; Ms. Wannapa Pliansri,
Coordinator, RTG Relations Coordinator; and Ms. Tiamkare Thitithamtada,
Program Officer, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO)
also attended the meeting.
