Habitech Center at AIT and the Center for Housing Planning and
Building (CHPB) of the Ministry will submit proposals to different
funding agencies for the rebuilding schools, health centers etc. in
post Nargis settlements in Myanmar. This will enable provision of
affordable and more efficient interlocking brick technology, apart from
exploring further possibilities of joint collaboration between the two.
The delegation visited the AIT Habitech Center, during which the
Minister was provided a detailed overview of the Center, its mission
and strategies.
The Minister stated that Hon Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, M.P. and senior
advisor to His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, Government has
delegated authority to AIT trustee, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to
Thailand, to sign the new AIT Charter. AIT President Said Irandoust had
met Hon Mr. Basil Rajapaksa during his visit to Sri Lanka on 14
September.
The Minister met Professor Sudip K. Rakshit, Vice President for
Research, Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein Senior Executive Advisor to the
President, Dr. Nitin Afzulpukar Dean School of Engineering and
Technology (SET), Dr. Weerakorn Ongsakul Dean School of Environment,
Resources and Development (SERD), Dr. Jirapan Liangrokapart,
representative of Dean School of Management (SOM), Mr. Gyanendra R.
Sthapit, Coordinator Habitech Center and Mr. Nabeel Bokhari from the
office of Director, Fundraising Campaign.
Other possibilities of partnership which were discussed included the
establishment of an AIT Center in Sri Lanka, launch of a one year
professional masters program for the Ministry of Nation Building and
Estate Infrastructure Development, and a proposal for capacity building
and technical assistance for the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources. The delegation was informed that the proposal for capacity
building and technical assistance for Ministry of Fisheries of Aquatic
Resources will be sent next week. The AIT President along with Mr.
Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Director Fundraising Campaign will discuss the
proposal and funding mechanisms during their proposed visit to Sri
Lanka before the end of the year.
The Minister met faculty members from Sri Lanka at AIT, represented by
Dr. R. M. A. P. Premanandana Rajatheva, Associate Professor and Field
of Study Coordinator Telecommunications, Dr. S. L. Ranamukhaarachchi
Associate Professor Agricultural Systems and Engineer, Dr. Amararatne
Yakupitiyage, Associate Professor Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources
Management, and Dr. L. A. S. Ranjith Perera, Assistant Professor Urban
Environmental Management. The Minister and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka
to Thailand, H.E. Prof. J.B. Disanayaka also met 20 students from Sri
Lanka who shared their views and experiences at AIT.
The delegation from Sri Lanka had an informal lunch meeting with Mr.
Douglas Becker Chairman and CEO Laureate Education Inc., Mr. Michael
Mann Managing Director Asia Pacific Laureate International
Universities, and Dr. Tongchat Hongladaromp Chairman of the Academic
Advisory Panel (AIT) and member AIT Board of Trustees, where the
Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model was discussed.