By AIT Public Affairs
21 July 2023 – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Tulane University, USA. This collaboration aims to explore potential partnerships in research, training, curriculum development, teaching, and the exchange of information and personnel concerning the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on the Mississippi Delta and the Mekong Delta.
The scope of cooperation includes scholarly exchanges, joint research, workshops, student interactions, and the production of joint publications. Both institutions aim to promote transformative research and educational opportunities while strengthening global connections to make a positive impact on society.
AIT President, Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the potential for cooperation in various fields like social sciences, engineering, water resources, and environmental energy. The exchange program also allows young faculty members to engage in transformative research, fostering cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Prof. John Sabo, Director of the Water Institute and Professor of the Department of River and Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane University, emphasized the shared resilience of both institutions, having overcome natural disasters and grown stronger. He believes the collaboration will lead to promising research opportunities in infrastructure, resilience, climate change, and health.
The event was attended by Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology and Co-Director of the Global Water & Sanitation Center; Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Head of the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change; Dr. Wenchao Xue, Associate Professor and Director of the Belt Road and Research Center; Mr. Shawn Kelly, Executive Director of the Office of International and Public Affairs (OIPA); Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of International Affairs of OIPA; and Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director of Public Affairs, OIPA.
