By Danielle Duan
Nanjing, China – A senior delegation from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) embarked on a strategic mission to Nanjing, China, from 9–12 July 2025, to deepen academic and institutional collaborations with two of China’s top universities – Hohai University and Nanjing University.
The AIT delegation, comprising Assistant Professor Dr. Chantri Polprasert of Computer Science and Information Management, Department of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), Mr. Shawn Kelly, Executive Director, Office of International and Public Affairs and Ms. Danielle Duan, Head, Emerging Markets International Cooperation, OIPA, engaged in meetings, tours, and international student activities aimed at forging long-term partnerships in education, research, and innovation.
The mission began on 9 July with a visit to Hohai University, where AIT participated as a partner at Hohai University’s annual global summer school. The event featured lectures by AIT’s Dr. Polprasert alongside faculty from international partner universities. The delegation also took the opportunity to connect with AIT students in Nanjing, as well as representatives from universities in Europe and the United States, strengthening AIT’s network in water resources, environmental sustainability, and disaster management fields.
Ten students represent AIT at Hohai University International Summer Program
The Hohai University International Summer Program, held from 6–19 July 2025 under the theme “Water Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under Climate Change”, served as a dynamic platform for academic exchange, professional training, and cultural immersion.
Hosted by the State Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, the Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, and the International School of Hohai University, the program brought together scholars, experts, and students from across the globe. Its agenda combined high-level lectures from leading academics—including academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering—with interactive workshops, group discussions, and field trips to hydraulic structures, cultural landmarks, and innovative research facilities. The program addressed urgent global challenges posed by extreme climate events and examined China’s strategies for disaster prevention, while fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
Through AIT’s Office of International and Public Affairs, ten AIT students from India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines received full scholarships from Hohai University to participate in the two-week program. They engaged in an intensive schedule covering topics from hydrology and climate change adaptation to A.I. applications for environmental management, the Yangtze River Economic Belt’s sustainable development, and water governance models such as the River and Lake Chief System.
Cultural sessions on Chinese language, tea traditions, and martial arts complemented the technical content, while site visits—ranging from the Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone to state-of-the-art water research installations—provided experiential learning opportunities. This multifaceted approach not only enhanced academic competencies but also built lasting professional and personal connections, reinforcing the program’s role as a bridge between nations in tackling shared environmental challenges.
On 10 July, discussions with Hohai University’s International Office and International School focused on future cooperation frameworks, including joint academic programs, dual degree pathways, faculty exchanges, and collaborative research. The delegation toured the campus and research facilities, gaining firsthand insights into the university’s world-class resources—particularly in water resources engineering, which has been ranked No. 1 globally by the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (2022–2024).
A highlight of the visit was the exploration of a joint initiative between AIT, Hohai University, and enterprises. Meeting with the Director of the International Office and the Assistant to the President of Hohai University, officials said the project aims to produce interdisciplinary engineers and senior technical professionals annually for the Lancang-Mekong region, leveraging various models combining academic and industry mentorship.
On 11 July, the delegation traveled to Nanjing University’s Xianlin Campus for meetings with the School of International Studies, International Affairs Office, and faculty members. Discussions centered on building academic exchange channels, developing collaborative research in sustainability and technology, and exploring student mobility programs. A campus and laboratory tour showcased Nanjing University’s cutting-edge infrastructure and interdisciplinary research capacity.
AIT officials emphasized the importance of advancing AIT’s role as a hub for regional cooperation in education, particularly in engineering, water management, climate resilience, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and intercultural (region) studies. The partnerships under discussion have the potential to open new pathways—creating a strong academic bridge between Thailand, China, and the wider Lancang-Mekong region. The mission marked a significant step toward long-term, impactful collaboration between AIT, Hohai University, and Nanjing University.
