Bangkok--5 Feb--Asian Institute of Technology
College of Agriculture (CoA), Maharashtra, India has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for the launch of a Unified Bachelor-Master program. The MoA was signed by representatives of CoA and AIT on 27 January 2016.
Signing the MoA, AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai stated that AIT was happy to forge this linkage and that he looks forward to receiving students from CoA. Signing the agreement on behalf of former Indian Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar was Mr. Rajendra Dinkarrao Pawar, Chairman of Agricultural Development Trust and Vice President of Maharashtra State Grape Growers Association.
Prof. Worsak also suggested that AIT's neighbouring Science Park is creating a food innovation polis, and companies like Baramati Agro can establish their presence at the Science Park. Prof. Worsak was also presented with a copy of the recently released autobiography of Sharad Pawar titled "On My Terms: From Grassroots to the Corridors of Power."
The agreement signed between AIT and CoA paves the way for offering the Unified International Bachelor-Master Degree Program (UIBMDP). According to the agreement, students will complete eight semesters of undergraduate study in India, following which they will join AIT for the Master's degree program. The program will be spread over a minimum of five years. AIT will offer Master's programs in Agribusiness Management (ABM) and Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) under this partnership.
Mr. Nilesh Ashokrao Nalawade, Principal, College of Agriculture, stated that the MoU was the result of a previous visit by Mr. Rajendra Pawar and himself to AIT, where they started discussing the issue of a partnership with Dr. Peeyush Soni of AIT's School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD).
The four-member delegation also included Ms. Jaya Tiwari, Principal, College of Agribusiness. AIT was represented by Prof. Worsak; Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Rajendra Shrestha, Dean, SERD; Prof. Nitin Tripathi, Director, Special Degree Programs; Dr. Peeyush Soni, Dr. K R Salin, Dr. Avishek Dutta, and Dr. John K. M. Kuwornu of SERD; Mr. Shawn Patrick Kelly, Acting Head, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO); and Mr. Arthur Lance Otadoy Gonzales of ERCO.
Photo caption: Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, left, AIT President, is seen with Mr. Dinkarrao Pawar.