Prof. Simon, who earlier served as the Dean of the Heller School,
remarked that though Brandeis University is a relatively young
University in the United States, it has emerged as a leading research
university. The Sustainable International Development Program offered
at Brandeis is unique since it attracts 200 students from 65 countries
in a single degree program. Stating that the aim of the program is to
help train a new generation of practitioners and policy makers, Prof.
Simon added that the program has very strong linkages with professional
organizations. In most cases, the second year in the Master’s program
is devoted to practicum, he said.
Prof. Simon expressed his desired to structure a formal relationship
with AIT, and remarked that both AIT and Brandeis already have some
common partners like The Energy and Research Institute (TERI), India.
Prof. Ganesh Sivakoti, of AIT’s School of Environment, Development and
Resources (SERD) provided an overview of the programs and research done
at AIT in the field of sustainability. He elaborated on the various
dual degree and unified programs offered in the Institute. Dr. Mokbul
Morshed Ahmad, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, SERD, and Dr.
Philippe Doneys of Gender and Development Studies field of study, SERD
outlined AIT’s activities. Mr. Olivier Drean, International Relations
Advisor; and Ms. Tiamkare Thitithamtada, Senior Program Officer,
External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO) also participated
in the program.
Details of the Heller School at Brandeis University are available at
this link.
From left: Dr. Mokbul Morshed
Ahmad, Dr. Philippe Doneys, Mr. Olivier Drean, Prof.
Laurence R. Simon, and Prof. Ganesh Sivakoti.