By Danielle Duan
March 2025 marked a defining moment in the coalescing partnership between the Asian Institute of Technology and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as AIT hosted a visit by Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, and participated in the ITU Regional Development Forumfor Asia and the Pacific 2025 in Bangkok.
Arriving from ITU headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Zavazava visited the campus on March 18 ahead of his keynote engagements on March 19-21. The Regional Development Forum for Asia and the Pacific Region (RDF-ASP) provided an opportunity for an exchange of views between ITU and decision-makers of ITU Member States and Sector Members, as well as other stakeholders in the Asia and the Pacific region.
AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li warmly welcomed Dr. Zavazava and emphasized the Institute’s commitment to ICT education, digital innovation, and equitable regional development. “AIT sees our engagement with ITU as a long-term strategic partnership that can help tackle digital inequality and support sustainable development, especially in providing needed education and knowledge to our communities,” President Li said.
Dr. Zavazava also met with School of Management Dean Prof. Yuosre Badir, AIT Geoinformatics Center Director Dr. Manzul Kumar Hazarika, Dr. Chantri Polprasert of the Computer Science and Information Management, Dr. Sushil Kumar Himanshu of the Agricultural Systems and Engineering, and Executive Director Mr. Shawn Kelly from the Office of International and Public Affairs.
AIT A.I Center Director Dr. Mongkol Ekpanyapong briefed Dr. Zavazava on his center’s operation during a learning stop. Discussions focused on strategic areas of bilateral cooperation, including AI and emerging technologies, digital inclusion, smart infrastructure, and the acceleration of innovation ecosystems. The ITU director recommended an expanded role for AIT within ITU’s Digital Innovation Alliance—a platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration designed to foster impactful digital solutions across Asia and the Pacific.
The director’s presence underscored AIT’s growing role as an academic partner supporting global digital transformation, innovation, and ICT capacity building aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The briefing on AIT’s groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence, alongside the dynamic activities spearheaded by your institution, left a profound impression,” Dr. Zavazava said to the AIT president.
“It was a privilege to witness firsthand how AIT continues to solidify its reputation as a globally renowned academic leader, driving innovation in technology and sustainability while empowering future generations through capacity building.”
The momentum continued on March 19 at the ITU Regional Development Forum co-organized with NBTC. The annual event served as a key venue for reviewing ITU members’ progress since the 2022 World Telecommunication Development Conference and advancing regional ICT strategies ahead of the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Prof. Yuosre Badir served as moderator for a high-level panel session titled “Digital Innovation Alliance: Collaboration Opportunities.” The session convened leaders from Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT and India’s Department of Telecommunications. Attendees explored opportunities for co-creating transformative digital solutions, launching joint pilot projects, and scaling regional engagement in innovation ecosystems.
Prof. Badir guided the discussion toward practical frameworks for multi-stakeholder collaboration under the ITU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance.
“An inclusive platform drawing ideas from enterprises, policymakers, academia and development organizations reaffirms the importance of cross-sector collaboration to achieve sustainable development.,” he remarked after the session. “Our role as moderator here reflects the trust and respect AIT has built as a partner to the ITU and other regional stakeholders.”
Reflecting on AIT’s engagement in both events, Shawn Kelly, Executive Director of International and Public Affairs noted: “We’ve moved from being a participant to a partner—and now to a thought leader in ITU’s Asia-Pacific ecosystem. Our engagement is not just symbolic, we are actively shaping the digital development dialogue with the support of our notable experts in the field.”
From Left: Dr. Atsuko Okuda, ITU Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok; Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, Geneva and Mr. Shawn Kelly, AIT.
Dr. Chantri Polprasert, Computer Science and Information Management, AIT (second from left) also attended the event.
With several collaborative initiatives now under consideration, AIT’s cooperation with ITU is poised to enter a new phase. Both institutions share a vision of inclusive and sustainable digital transformation—one that bridges the digital divide, empowers vulnerable groups, and builds local capacity for innovation.
AIT is taking its seat at the table of digital transformation, positioning itself as a valuable higher education partner in the project to build the Asia-Pacific region’s ICT future.
ITU Regional Development Forum for Asia and the Pacific 2025 in Bangkok: (Left) Prof. Yuosre Badir moderates panel session on “Digital Innovation Alliance: Collaboration Opportunities”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Danielle Duan is Head, Emerging Markets International Cooperation, Office of International and Public Affairs.
