Bangkok--14 Sep--AIT
ADB Country Director (Thailand Resident Mission), Mr. Craig M. Steffensen, assured the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) of “full support,” stating that the Institute could also count on ADB as a key supporter. He made these remarks during a visit to AIT on 12 September 2011.
“ADB is very pleased with AIT’s engagement in Vietnam, particularly the training activities in Hanoi,” Mr. Steffenson said. He added that ADB will be willing to associate with AIT in furthering the cause of development in the Mekong Sub Region. The ADB Country Director evinced interest in AIT’s Poverty Reduction and Agricultural Management (PRAM). Stating that his personal association with AIT traces back to the time when Prof. Alistair North was the President of AIT, Mr. Steffensen remarked that AIT’s greatest asset is its alumni.
Welcoming Mr. Steffensen, Prof. Said Irandoust, President, AIT, stated that AIT was proud of its long association with ADB. Elaborating on AIT’s new initiatives, Prof. Irandoust said the Institute had formulated a strategy called “Strategy 2013”. AIT has also entered undergraduate programs, and launched Professional Master’s and Doctoral programs.
Requesting Mr. Steffensen to impress upon ADB to sign the AIT Charter, the AIT President said four countries have confirmed their intent to join the 14 existing signatories. The President also spoke about AIT’s intention to pursue Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a funding model.
The ADB Country Director toured the facilities at AIT Consulting, where he met its Executive Director, Dr. Naveed Anwar. He also visited the Center of Excellence (CoEN) in Nanotechnology, where Prof. Joydeep Dutta, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Center Director, elaborated on the research and business ventures of the Center. Mr. Steffensen also met Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension; Dr. Sandro Calvani, Director, Director of the ASEAN Regional Centre of Excellence on Millennium Development Goals (ARCMDG); and Ms. Leena Wokeck, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility Asia Center at AIT.
Photo caption: AIT President Said Irandoust, left, and Mr. Craig M. Steffensen.