On his maiden visit to AIT on 19 March 2014, the Ambassador expressed
his desire to resume cooperation between AIT and Colombia. Colombia can
be a networking partner for AIT to forge relationships in South America
as it can “provide a platform to AIT for reaching out to South
America,” the Ambassador said.
AIT had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 1998 with the
then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Dr. Maria Emma Mejia
Velez, for developing a relationship with Colciencias, Colombia’s
premier Science and Technology organization. Colciencias, which is
Colombia’s Administrative Department of Science, Technology and
Innovation, is the highest government agency in the country that
supports fundamental and applied research.
Welcoming the Ambassador, AIT’s Interim President Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai remarked that AIT possesses a very strong network in
the region, and it can be a regional focal point for Colombia.
Describing AIT an autonomous International institute hosted in
Thailand, Prof. Worsak stated that AIT’s internationality is evident
from the composition of its student and faculty body. Close to seventy
per cent of our student body is from outside Thailand, Prof. Worsak
said.
Mr.Leonardo Carvajal Hernandez, Minister Plenipotentiary of the
Embassy of Colombia in Thailand, also accompanied the Ambassador.
The Ambassador described disaster management and agriculture as two
key areas of interest for Colombia. Colombia is already cooperating
with Myanmar in the field of disaster management, and he inquired about
AIT’s expertise in this field. He also expressed interest in AIT’s role
in agriculture, biotechnology and biodiversity. The Ambassador
suggested exchange of students and faculty as starting points for
renewed cooperation with AIT.
Prof. Kanchana Kanchanasut, Vice President for Research; Prof. Nazrul
Islam of School of Management; and Dr. Gabrielle Groves of External
Relations and Communications Office (ERCO) also participated in the
deliberations.
More details about Colciencias is available at this link: http://www.colciencias.gov.co/
From left: Dr. Gabrielle Groves, Prof. Nazrul Islam, Prof. Worsak
Kanok-Nukulchai, H.E. Mr. Andelfo Jose Garcia Gonzalez, Prof. Kanchana
Kanchanasut, and Mr.Leonardo Carvajal Hernandez.