“This is a platform which fosters interaction and networking combined
with a professional development approach,” the AIT President said. Prof
Irandoust hoped that the combination of work related knowledge of the
participants and the scientific knowledge of AIT could be used for
preparing better graduates of the future. He thanked AIT alumna Ms.
Ayurzana Puntsagdavaa of IFAD for enabling AIT and IFAD to work together. “I am sure the
PDNA workshop will help in enhancing capacity in the Asian region,” the
AIT President remarked.
AFMAS is an initiative of International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) and AIT Extension has been tasked to hold the
four-day PDNA workshop.
Dr. Faiz H. Shah, Head, Development Management, AIT Extension revealed
that participants include project managers from 28 IFAD projects from
four different countries – Cambodia, India, Lao PDR and Vietnam. The
projects range from livelihood enhancement to biodiversity conservation
and agricultural development.
APMAS seeks to equip participating project units and local training
providers with specific skills that can help improve management of IFAD
projects in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and in India. These projects
are helping communities adapt to climate change through improved
marshalling of natural resources and better risk management.
At AIT, the project involves collaboration between the School of
Management (SOM), Rural Development and gender programs at School of
Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) along with AIT
Extension.
Apart from the AIT President, the inaugural plenary session saw
participation from Dr. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad, Associate Dean, School of
Environment, Resources and Development (SERD; Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe,
Coordinator, Gender and Development Studies at SERD; and Dr. Sundar
Venkatesh of SOM.
Participants at the PDNA workshop at
the AIT Conference Center.
