By AIT Public Affairs
21 March 2024: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat, Laos. This agreement aims to foster cooperation and coordinate efforts for the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin. It focuses on shared interests and the effective use of resources for regional cooperation.
The MoU covers potential activities such as sharing data and information according to MRC Procedures for Data and Information Exchange and Sharing (PDIES), including water level data. It also opens up opportunities for AIT students, such as internships at MRCS, and joint research and training programs for MRC staff at AIT, focusing on technical skill enhancement. The agreement encourages the promotion of MRC’s work through AIT’s network, including AIT students’ participation in MRC technology competitions, and collaboration on seminars, conferences, and campaigns. AIT also offers technical support to MRC as feasible, including technical reviews and constructing physical models, depending on AIT’s capacity and available funding.
Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, President of AIT, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing the focus on capacity building for MRC countries. He highlighted the potential for significant outcomes, especially in addressing climate change, and looked forward to diverse collaborative efforts following the MoU’s signing.
Dr. Anóulak Kittikhoun, CEO of the MRC Secretariat, stressed the MoU as a milestone in establishing a formal partnership while emphasizing the shared history and the fact that many MRC staff are AIT alumni. He is optimistic about engaging in practical projects like AIT student internships and knowledge exchange programs, aiming for mutual benefits, and eager to begin this formalized relationship.
The delegation also had discussions with AIT officials on expanding cooperation to include other universities in MRC member countries. Attendees of the meeting and MoU Signing Ceremony included key officials from both AIT and MRC, reflecting the commitment of both institutions to this partnership. Following the ceremony Dr. Anóulak also participated in the AIT World Water Day 2024 event organized by our Water Engineering and Management (WEM)Program and Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC) and delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of cooperation in managing the Mekong River.
The delegates from MRC included Mr. Santi Baran, Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer, Ms. Latsamy Banmanivong, Personal Assistant to CEO, and Mr. Thanawat Wetchapan, Strategy and Partnership Project Assistant. From AIT, the meeting and MoU Signing Ceremony was also attended by Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean SET and Co-Director of GWSC; Prof. Abdul P. Salam, Dean SERD; Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Professor, EEM/SERD and Co-Director of GWSC; Dr. Mohana Sundaram Shanmugam, Asst. Prof. and Program Chair WEM/CIE/SET; Dr. Kavinda Gunasekara, Manager | Chief Operating Officer, GWSC; Mr. Shawn Kelly, Executive Director, Office of International and Public Affairs (OIPA); Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director, International Affairs, OIPA; Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director, Public Affairs, OIPA and Ms. Indra Kumari, Senior Program Officer, International Affairs, OIPA.
