AIT set to become a United Nations University associated institute
The United Nation University (UNU) council at its 53rd council meeting held in Tokyo recently approved AIT as a UNU Associated Institution. To this effect AIT and UNU will work closely on the following issues:
Urban Futures and Mega Cities, which will include guidelines for planning future urban areas and ensuring a pleasant and secure urban environment as well as managing present day mega cities.
Water Management, which will include managing water in the Mekong River Basin and becoming a center of excellence for persistent organic pollutants.
Online education and information dissemination, which will include programs for developing and delivering online courses and course modules; the integration of information related to the environment by leveraging each institution's strengths and network partner activities; and research on online participatory analysis and application training as part of capacity development.
Biodiplomacy, which will deal with biosafety and the safe use of biotechnology.
For AIT, this cooperation offers possibilities to hold joint research projects, conferences, symposia and training programs.
This cooperation will strengthen AIT's role as a leading institute committed to sustainable development of Asian region.
Dr. Srikantha Herath, AIT alumnus and Senior Academic Programme Officer, Environment and Sustainable Development, UNU played an instrumental role on bringing this partnership to fruition with support from Prof. Hans van Ginkel, Rector, UNU, who also served as the vice chairman of the AIT Board of Trustees.
From the AIT side, Prof. Ajit Annachhatre, is co-coordinating the initiative.