Bangkok--2 Sep--AIT
Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for strengthening cooperation in the field of geosciences. The CCOP Director, Dr. Adichat Surinkum and AIT Interim President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai signed the MoU on 28 August 2013.
The agreement is aimed at fostering collaborating in geosciences research and increasing capability of personnel in relevant institutions in CCOP member countries in the fields of policy development, planning, management and technology of geosciences.
Dr. Adichat, while expressing his happiness at the continued association with AIT stated that CCOP is keen on capacity building, besides sharing of knowledge and information. CCOP organizes regular programs on topics ranging from Carbon Capture Storage Management to Disaster Mitigation, he said. Dr. Adichat suggested that a forthcoming CCOP program could be organized in AIT in early October.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Worsak remarked that as an International organization functioning under Thai law, AIT continues with its three missions of education, research and outreach. He proposed that CCOP could utilize AIT as a platform where experts and researchers from CCOP member countries can conduct joint research activities. This will build stronger networks and enhance research capabilities and knowledge exchange, Prof. Worsak added.
Dr. Giao Huy Pham of AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology (SET) suggested that AIT could help create a program targeted at ASEAN member countries. He also proposed holding of joint conferences and research projects in upcoming areas like shale gas, besides conventional energy.
CCOP includes 13 member countries including Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. It also includes numerous cooperation countries and cooperating organizations.
The CCOP delegation that visited AIT also included Dr. Nguyen Ngoc, Regional Expert, CCOP Technical Secretariat. From AIT, Dr. Noppadol Phien-Wej of SET, Mr. Ahmed Amjad Ali, Head, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO), and Ms. Wannapa Pliansri, Coordinator, Royal Thai Government Relations, ERCO also attended the MoU signing ceremony.
More details about CCOP are available at this link: http://ccop.or.th
Photo caption: Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai (left) and Dr. Adichat Surinkum.