By AIT Public Affairs
On November 1, 2024, His Excellency Mr. Kiptiness Lindsay Kimwole, Ambassador of Kenya to Thailand, visited the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), accompanied by Mrs. Nancy Mwangi, Deputy Head of Mission. Ambassador Kimwole met with AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li and other AIT officials to explore collaboration in higher education and technology to support the country’s development plans.
President Li welcomed the delegation, expressing gratitude for Kenya’s longstanding relationship with AIT. He highlighted AIT’s existing connections with Kenyan entities and called for deepening bilateral partnerships.
Ambassador Kimwole expressed appreciation for AIT’s reception and stressed the value of international collaboration in today’s interconnected world. He emphasized Kenya’s dedication to economic, cultural, and environmental diplomacy, with a particular focus on promoting technology and knowledge exchanges in climate change and sustainable development. The ambassador introduced the Konza Technopolis project, inviting AIT to consider establishing a center of excellence there to support Kenya’s technological growth.
The meeting addressed key areas including education, sustainability, and technology. Both parties discussed potential partnerships with Kenyan institutions, the possibility of establishing an AIT branch in Africa, and scholarship programs for Kenyan students. Topics such as sustainable development, climate change, renewable energy, clean energy and smart agriculture were highlighted, with both sides reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Kenyan delegation also underscored the importance and need of youth engagement and innovation for the development of the country.
The visit concluded with mutual interest in strengthening higher education, fostering cross-cultural exchanges, and exploring potential funding opportunities. This meeting marked a significant step towards building a stronger partnership between AIT and Kenya, setting the stage for collaborations that will benefit both institutions and their communities.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Nitin Tripathi, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mr. Russell Rein, Vice President for Administration; Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology; Prof. P. Abdul Salam, Dean of the School of Environment, Resources and Development; Dr. Kamonkanok Kiatisakchai, Assistant Dean of the School of Management; Mr. Shawn P. Kelly, Executive Director of the Office of International and Public Affairs (OIPA); Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of International Affairs, OIPA; and Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director of Public Affairs, OIPA.
