Bangkok--30 Jun--UNESCO
UNESCO delegation for partnership with AIT on sustainability issuesUNESCO is working on mainstreaming the issue of climate change in curricula and is keen to develop sustainable development indicators. UNESCO Bangkok is also keen on policy initiatives, and it wishes to tap the expertise available at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
This was the sentiment expressed by a delegation of UNESCO which visited AIT on 27 June 2011. “UNESCO is keen that educational curriculum includes climate change and sustainability,” Ms. Vimonmas Pam Vachatimanont, Programme Assistant, Education for Sustainable Development Unit (ESD) remarked. She added that the UNESCO Bangkok office is also working on impact of disaster on the education sector, apart from promoting the idea of sustainable education and sustainable society. Ms Katie Vanhala, Associate Expert, ESD stated that the concept of Green Schools and community learning is a focus area.
Ms. Lay-Cheng Tan, Programme Officer, Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) delved on the issue of teacher training, and was interested to learn about AIT’s experience on training of trainers. She was also keen to know about the education offerings at AIT, particularly the dissemination of online courses. Ms. Tan sought AIT’s participation in the fifteenth APEID conference to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia in December 2011. Ms. Jiaming Ju, a student intern from Columbia University at UNESCO also joined the meeting.
Prof. Joydeep Dutta, Vice President for Academic Affairs, while welcoming the delegation highlighted the new AIT Charter and undergraduate program at AIT. He stated that AIT is engaged in knowledge areas which are of interest to UNESCO. “UNESCO is an international hub, while AIT is a regional hub,” he remarked. Prof. Ajit P. Annachhatre, Director, UNAIT highlighted the work done by AIT in the field of environment, climate change and sustainability.
Others who participated in the meeting included Dr. Abdul Salaam of School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD); Dr. Fazle Karim,Head, Information Technology and Engineering at AIT Extension; Dr. Pritam Krishna Shrestha, Head, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO); and Ms. Tiamkare Thitithamtada, Program Officer, ERCO.
Photo caption: From left to right: Ms. Vimonmas Pam Vachatimanont, Ms Katie Vanhala, Ms Lay-Cheng Tan and Ms. Jiaming Ju