By Office of International and Public Affairs
3 July 2024: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Hohai University successfully co-hosted the “2024 International Leadership Training Program for Lancang-Mekong River Young Professionals in Water Sciences” from 30 June-3 July 2024 at the AIT campus. Under the theme of “Sustaining Water Resources and Ecosystems,” the workshop fostered collaboration and knowledge exchange among young professionals from China and Asian countries.
The event brought together an assembly of scientists, engineers, researchers, and students from both institutions to address critical challenges facing the Lancang-Mekong River region, emphasizing scientific and environmental engineering solutions.
Spearheaded by Professor Jisheng Zhang and Professor Dawei Wang of Hohai University and Ms. Danielle Duan of the AIT Office of International and Public Affairs, and supported by co-organizers in China, the international event aimed to train young professionals, provide exposure cutting-edge research, and inspire innovation. Hohai University was represented by 15 students and 7 faculty members, while AIT accepted 26 students as participants.
In his welcome speech, AIT President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto stated, “Water has been at the very heart of AIT since our founding in 1959 as an international post-graduate institute dedicated to advancing the sustainable development of the region. Indeed, ‘Water’ continues to be one of our core Thematic Research Areas, and we remain committed today to tackling the many water-related challenges facing people in this part of the world.”
The president voiced his approval that students and young professionals were the focus. “Young people hold the key to the future,” he said. “By stressing science, state-of-the-art training, empowering dialogue, and multidisciplinary approaches, this workshop can inspire a new generation of leaders to safeguard our natural heritage. Our collective expertise in science, engineering, and research can drive innovative solutions for water security and ecological preservation of the Lancang-Mekong River for future generations.”
Vice President of Hohai University, Professor Zheng Jinhai, also addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and innovation in water sciences.
The workshop featured expert presentations on research, data modeling, and monitoring techniques, roundtable discussions on key findings, and group presentations on successful collaborative projects. Participants visited AIT’s Water Engineering and Management hydraulic laboratory and the AIT Geoinformatics Centre. Additionally, a study excursion to the Thailand Hydro-informatics Institute provided practical learning opportunities and networking.
AIT’s Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Head, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering and Dr. Anish Ghimire, Assistant Professor, Environmental Engineering and Management delivered lectures on the opening day. On day two, Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub, Assistant Professor, Water Engineering and Management lectured on “Asian Land Information for Climate and Environmental Research.”
Mr. Shawn Kelly, Executive Director, OIPA, delivered a congratulatory remark. “I am happy that this event presents opportunities for students and young professionals from China and AIT students from a number of countries,” he said. The two universities are continuing developing long-term cooperative projects to cultivate and empower young scientists and professionals.
Ms. Danielle Duan, Head, Emerging Markets, OIPA thanked the support from Chinese co-organizers, including: the National and Regional Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education; Lancang-Mekong Area Studies Center, Hohai University; The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention of China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development; IAHR-Hohai Collaborative Committee on Higher Education and E-Learning; Western Returned Scholars Association of Hohai University; UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme; and the Joint International Research Laboratory of Global Change and Water Cycle, Hohai University.
The event was also made possible by assistance from the AIT Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering and Management Hydraulic Lab, AIT Geoinformatics Center and the Global Water and Sanitation Center.
The international training program fostered partnerships for joint research, strengthened professional networks, and nurtured solution-oriented innovation, advancing water security, environmental resilience, and regional cooperation. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the workshop charted a course toward a more sustainable Lancang-Mekong River basin, organizers said.
