Bangkok--11 Aug--AIT
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India’s TERI University which opens up possibilities for cooperation in across a range of academics and research. The MOU was signed in 4 August 2011 by AIT President Said Irandoust and Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chancellor, TERI University and co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
The signing was made in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the Fourth International conference on HealthGIS 2011, which took place in New Delhi, India on 4-6 August. The AIT President was a guest of honor for the conference and delivered the inaugural address.
TERI University's Head of Department of Natural Resources Dr. P.K. Joshi and AIT's Dr. Nitin K. Tripathi joined to organize the event which attracted over 300 participants. At the conference, specialized delegates and experts from 28 countries linked health issues with latest developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Dr. Pachauri along with Dr. Bill Davenhall, Global Manager, ESRI Health and Human Service, addressed the participants during the opening ceremony.
Later, President Irandoust visited the TERI University campus to explore ideas for possible cooperation and joint work, and to tour its modern facilities. He also held talks with TERI Vice Chancellor Prof. Bhavik Bakshi, Registrar Dr. Rajiv Seth, and various deans and department heads.
“Many of TERI’s activities in the fields of climate change, geoinformatics, energy and sustainable development have synergies with AIT’s own initiatives and could be target areas for initial collaboration,” President Irandoust said.
Dr. Pachauri has also accepted an invitation to visit AIT in the near future, he said. In India, the president also met with the Honorable Minister Mr. Veerappa Moily, Minister for Corporate Affairs, India, who outlined his goals for promoting education, health and addressing social issues in the form of public—private partnerships. Minister Moily has also agreed to visit AIT.
Photo caption: Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri (left) with Prof. Said Irandoust.