By School of Environment, Resources and Development
6 June 2025: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) successfully hosted the WePOWER SAR100-2.0 Capstone Week from 26 to 30 May 2025, welcoming 110 mid-career women professionals from seven South Asian countries. The event celebrated innovation, leadership, and regional cooperation in the energy sector through capstone project showcases, expert panels, field visits, and cultural exchanges. AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) played a central role in curating the program’s academic and technical engagements, underlining the Institute’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable development in the region.
The event strongly aligned with two of SERD’s flagship academic offerings: the Sustainable Energy Transition (SE) and the Gender and Development Studies (GDS) academic programs. The SE program provides Master’s and Doctoral-level education that integrates engineering, economics, climate policy, and systems thinking to equip future leaders with the tools to drive the global transition toward clean and resilient energy systems. Its curriculum emphasizes
renewable energy, smart grids, energy access, and regional energy planning—training students to design solutions that are technically sound, economically viable, and socially inclusive.
Meanwhile, master’s and doctoral degree in Gender and Development Studies program offers advanced training in feminist theory, intersectionality, and rights-based development. It explores the links between gender, sustainability, and governance, with specific attention to issues like forced migration, climate change, and energy equity. The program is closely connected with the Center on Gender and Forced Displacement, which is a center hosted in SERD and directed by Prof. Paula Banerjee, a globally recognized scholar in the field. Prof. Banerjee conducted a powerful workshop during the event, focusing on women’s leadership, forced migration, and energy justice. Alongside her, Dr. Jai Govind Singh, Associate Professor at SERD and Academic Lead of SAR100, facilitated the academic components of the week and moderated regional discussions on sustainable energy resilience. The Yunus Center at AIT also contributed to the event, fostering social innovation and entrepreneurship in energy space.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all partners and sponsors who made this impactful week possible—including the World Bank, SARIC, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia. Their continued support reinforces AIT and SERD’s position as leaders in advancing inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking education and research in Asia and beyond.
Photo courtesy:
– SAR100 Women Energy Leaders
– Yunus Center at AIT
– Dr. Jai Govind Singh
