By Office of International Affairs
On 13 May 2026, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) welcomed a high-level delegation from the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), France, in a significant step toward revitalizing and strengthening the long-standing academic and research partnerships between the two institutions.
The visit highlighted a shared commitment to advancing global research agendas by aligning CIRAD’s six priority research areas with AIT’s five interdisciplinary research themes. This collaboration aims to foster impactful research addressing critical global challenges, particularly in the areas of climate change, sustainable food systems, and integrated resource management.
CIRAD’s six priority research domains—Biodiversity, Climate Change, Food Systems, Agroecological Transitions, One Health, and Territories and Collective Action—resonate strongly with AIT’s research focus on Climate Change, Smart Communities, Food-Energy-Water Systems, Infrastructure, and Technology, Policy, and Society. The visit reinforced the strengths of both institutions and laid the groundwork for enhanced joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building initiatives.
Dr. Jean-Paul Laclau, Director General in Charge of Research and Strategy at CIRAD, emphasized the importance of leveraging this alignment to address global sustainability challenges. “Our partnership with AIT provides an excellent opportunity to integrate scientific expertise and regional knowledge to create solutions with tangible impacts,” he said.
The CIRAD delegation included Dr. François Roger, Regional Director for Mainland Southeast Asia; Dr. Jean-Michel Mortillaro, Aquatic Ecology Scientist and AquASEAN Project Manager, and Dr. Killian Chary, Scientist specializing in aquaculture modeling and sustainability analysis.
They were joined by AIT’s senior leadership and faculty members, including: Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Dean of Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FFANR);Prof. Nitin Kumar Tripathi, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology (FAST); Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Dean of Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE); Dr. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen, Dean of Faculty of Public Policy and Sustainable Development (FPSD); Dr. Mohana Sundaram Shanmugam, Assistant Professor, Water Engineering and Management (WEM), Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE); Dr. Guillaume Lacombe, Agro-Hydrologist and CIRAD Visiting Faculty at AIT; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA), Office of Development and External Affairs (ODEA) and Ms. Sirima Sirimattayanan, Senior Program Officer, Office of International Affairs (OIA), Office of Development and External Affairs (ODEA).
Following a welcoming session led by AIT’s Office of International Affairs, faculty deans presented ongoing research initiatives and highlighted potential areas for collaboration. Discussions focused on interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development, climate resilience, and innovative technologies for agriculture and water systems.
The visit also featured guided tours of AIT’s advanced research facilities, showcasing the institute’s capabilities in cutting-edge scientific research and innovation. The delegation visited the Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) Smart Lab and Smart Greenhouse, the Aquaculture Laboratory, the Hydraulics Laboratory, and the AI and Simulation Lab.
These visits provided CIRAD representatives with firsthand insights into AIT’s research environment and opened avenues for joint laboratory-based projects and student exchanges. The day’s engagement reaffirmed both institutions’ commitment to pursuing research that addresses pressing global challenges, particularly in developing regions. By revitalizing this partnership, AIT and CIRAD aim to co-develop innovative, science-based solutions that contribute to sustainable development and resilience across Asia and beyond.
