14 August 2025 – Ten students from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) joined the 2025 Hohai University International Summer Program on Water Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under Climate Change held from July 6–19, 2025, in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Among them were Jose Carlo Dizon (SET – WEM), Alina Dawood (SET – CEIM), Imran Khan (SET – TRE), Shubam Anil Gade (SERD – ASE), Trika Agnestasia Tarigan (SET – WEM), Htoo Myat (SET – CEIM), Ya Min Thu (SET – EEM), Narinphat Thanadechrutroj (SET – EEM), Chinthaka Ganepola (SET – WEM), and Udomporn Tupbucha (SET – WEM).
Held in July under the theme “Water Disaster Prevention and Mitigation under Climate Change, the program brought together international students from across the world, including participants from Polytech of Lille, France, and the University of Oslo, Norway, for academic learning, cultural immersion, and global exchange.
The program, hosted by the State Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention and the Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, offered a wide range of lectures that included the future of hydrology, advanced hydrological modeling, water resources management in China, the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an example of balancing economic development with environmental protection, the role of artificial intelligence in climate action, and broader perspectives on ethics, theology, and China’s development journey through the “China Success Story.”
As part of the program, all participants were tasked with making presentations on Water-Related Risk Prevention and Mitigation under Climate Change. Several AIT students were among those commended, with Imran Khan, Jose Carlo Dizon, Alina Dawood, Shubam Anil Gade, Chinthaka Ganepola, and Trika Agnestasia Tarigan receiving the Best Presentation Award. In addition, Dizon was awarded a Leadership Award and delivered a speech on behalf of the AIT delegation at the closing ceremony.
Shubham delivered a presentation on “Mitigating Water Disasters from the Farm to the Cities: A Human-Centered Approach to Resilience,” where he introduced the ClimaFarm app, a digital tool designed to provide farmers with localized forecasts and climate-smart practices. “The interactive discussions with international scholars helped me see water and climate challenges from new perspectives,” he shared.
Trika presented her research on “Coastal-River Compound Flooding” and was recognized with the Best Presentation Award. “Being acknowledged for my work was truly motivating. It made me feel that my research could contribute to global conversations on water disaster management,” she reflected.
Beyond the classroom, the students explored Nanjing’s rich culture and history. They visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, the Oriental Metropolitan Museum, and the Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone, where they admired the majestic Sleeping Buddha. They also experienced the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Qinhuai, practiced Chinese Kung Fu, enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony, and tried paper carving in Jintan.
Speaking about the experience, Dizon said, “I am grateful for this opportunity. We will take the knowledge and passion we gained here to transform it into real action. The challenges of water-related risks and climate change cannot be solved alone; it will take all of us, across borders, to work together and build a resilient and sustainable solution. I hope we can work hand in hand, sharing the same knowledge and experience we gained in China.”
Reflecting further on the experience, Shubham shared, “This program expanded our worldview, enriched our academic journey, and connected us with bright minds from around the world.” Trika added, “It was more than an academic program; it was a life-changing experience that strengthened our commitment to water disaster management.”
All the students expressed their gratitude to AIT, Hohai University, AIT’s Office of International and Public Affairs, Ms. Danielle Duan, Head of Emerging Markets, OIPA, their supervisors, and their schools for providing this opportunity and supporting their academic development.
The Hohai University International Summer Program not only broadened their academic perspectives but also deepened their cultural appreciation, leaving them with valuable lessons, new friendships, and a renewed motivation to contribute to building resilience in a changing climate.
