By AIT Public Affairs
June 16–17, 2025 – Seattle, USA
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) deepened its institutional ties with the Gates Foundation through a high-level visit to the foundation’s global headquarters in Seattle, United States, from June 16 to 17, 2025. The AIT delegation was led by AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li and included Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology & Co-Director of Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC) Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Co-Director of GWSC Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Dr. Chaklam Silpasuwanchai, and Dr. Krishna R. Salin.
The two-day engagement featured a series of strategic meetings focused on expanding collaboration in key areas such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), agriculture development, digital public infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence (AI), and global development initiatives. AIT and Gates Foundation leaders explored ways to align their shared goals in innovation, capacity building, and inclusive development across the Asia-Pacific region & Africa.
One of the key highlights was a “Lunch & Learn” session with the Gates Foundation’s leadership, where AIT presented ongoing research and initiatives in the WASH domain and potential future collaboration. The visit also included an insightful tour of the Gates Foundation Discovery Center guided by Dr. Carl Hensman, offering a deeper understanding of the foundation’s global outreach and impact.
High-level discussions were held with several members of the Foundation’s leadership team, including Dr. Doulaye Koné – Director, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Dr. Kanwaljit Singh – Deputy Director, Digital Public Infrastructure; Dr. Enock Chikava – Director, Agricultural Delivery System; Ms. Kimberly Churchwell, Ms. Zan Carraher-Kang – Agriculture team; Dr. Carl Hensman, Dr. Andrew Gall – WSH R&D; Dr. Carol Welch – Director, Chief of Staff, GGO, Office of President; Dr. Haley Hill – Director, Strategy, Planning & Management and Chief of Staff, Global Development, Office of President; Dr. Najib Bateganya – Deputy Director, WSH; Dr. Roshan Shrestha – Deputy Director, WSH; Ms. Flutra Loun, Ms. Raminta Hanzelka – WSH Finance & Program Coordination; Dr. Zameer Brey – Deputy Director, Technology Diffusion (AI & Health); Dr. Thao Hong – Senior Program Officer, Advocacy & Communications. These meetings opened doors to further explore collaborative projects, joint research, and academic exchanges in line with AIT’s mission of promoting technological innovation and sustainable development.
President Li expressed his appreciation to Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Deputy Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WSH) at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and member of the AIT Board of Trustees, for his coordination and support during the visit.
This milestone visit signifies AIT’s growing engagement with global philanthropic and development institutions, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to impactful partnerships that address the region’s pressing challenges through science, technology, and policy-driven solutions.
