On July 24, 2025 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted a high-level delegation from the General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design (GIWP), China. The visit, aimed at fostering technical exchange and exploring future collaborative opportunities, was marked by productive discussions held at the AIT Board Room.
The delegation was led by Mr. Wang Zhiqiang, Vice President of GIWP, and included Mr. Wu Jianjiang, Director, and Ms. Zeng Xin, Senior Engineer. GIWP is a pivotal institution directly under the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China, responsible for national water resources planning, review of major projects, and oversight of survey and design activities.
The meeting commenced with warm welcome remarks by AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li, who expressed his enthusiasm for the visit and highlighted AIT’s commitment to addressing regional challenges through advanced research and education in engineering, technology, and sustainable development.
In his remarks, Mr. Wang Zhiqiang introduced GIWP’s significant role in China’s water resources sector and expressed a strong desire to build a collaborative relationship with AIT. He emphasized the potential for mutual learning and joint initiatives in water conservancy technologies and standards management.
The core of the meeting involved a technical exchange and in-depth discussion on potential areas of collaboration. Faculty members from AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), including Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Dean of Set, Prof. Mukand Singh Babel, Prof. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad and Dr. Wenchao Xue, Director of AIT Belt and Road Research Center, and Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director of OPA, engaged with the delegates. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including integrated water resources management, climate resilience, and the application of innovative technologies in hydropower planning and design.
The session concluded with closing remarks and a group photo, symbolizing the positive spirit of cooperation and the shared intent to formalize a partnership in the near future. This engagement marks a significant step towards establishing a strategic partnership between AIT and GIWP, promising to leverage both institutions’ expertise to contribute to sustainable water resources management in the region and beyond.
