Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand, concluded an International Exposure Programme on “Modern Automotive Technology” under the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Science and Technology Human Resource Development Project (STHRDP) from 18- 28 April 2023, for nine academics from Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka (SUSL).
Sri Lankan Academics were welcomed to AIT by the Executive Director Voravate Chonlasin of AIT Extension, and Executive Director, Office of Advancement & Alumni Affairs, Sanjeev Jayasinghe of AIT.
Sri Lanka has been represented on the AIT Board of Trustees since 1977 and there have been approximately 1654 Sri Lankan students pursued Masters and PhDs at AIT over the years. There are eminent Sri Lankan academics serving in the AIT Faculties.
In the recent past, Sri Lanka’s collaboration with the AIT has been enhanced in various fields. MoU with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Capacity Building Partnership Programme with General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) of Sri Lanka have been recently concluded. Initiatives have been taken for capacity building of the partner universities through the flexible Masters, PhD and other programmes at Sabaragamuwa University, Rajarata University, Open University, Uva Wellassa University, Ocean University in Sri Lanka and also with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT).
During her special remarks, Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP and Member of AIT Board of Trustees, C.A. Chaminda I Colonne stated it is proved that a country’s development is primarily based on its people and its resources and however, it ultimately depends on the people only, as to what extent they can use the scarce resources efficiently in order to achieve a rapid rate of development and breakthroughs in innovation. Ambassador Chaminda Colonne added that people play the most important role in shaping the status of the country. Education is responsible for shaping a person and therefore, education is the backbone of any country, it plays a crucial role in technological developments and imparts various skills, values, and awareness.
Declaring the Programme open, President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto of the AIT, highlighted that AIT is proud to take part in the human resource development efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka with respect to the University cadre. President Prof. Yamamoto assured that AIT Extension will do their best to serve and support all participants and jointly witness the successful completion of the training program, and added that through this training the participants will gain practical knowledge and possible solutions that they can apply in their daily teaching/ research activities in SUSL.
10-day training programme concluded for nine academics of the Department of Engineering Technology of the Faculty of Technology of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, was the very first collaborative Capacity Development Activity between AIT and ADB’s Science and Technology Human Resource Development Project (STHRD), which AIT serves as the focal point to implement training programs and short courses for academic and administrative staff of Universities in Sri Lanka. ADB’s Project Authority in Sri Lanka has already planned for more capacity development activities with AIT for Rajarata University and Sri Jayawardenapura University.
On behalf of the Government and People of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne extended most sincere appreciation to the President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, former Presidents including Dr. Edward Woon, former and present Boards of Directors, Executive Directors Sanjeev Jayasinghe, Voravate Chonlasin, Fazle Karim and supporting staff at the AIT, making all collaborations a success, especially at a time Sri Lanka faces an economic crisis, which was never experienced since her independence in 1948.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
02 May 2023
