Thailand-headquartered Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and The Rockefeller Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for collaboration between the two organisations.

It aims to promote and strengthen cooperation between AIT and The Rockefeller Foundation in areas of mutual interest in the region including climate change, accelerating sustainable energy transition, health, agriculture, and gender empowerment. The organisations are now exploring research agendas across these areas of mutual focus.

The Rockefeller Foundation has a lasting relationship with Thailand dating back to 1917, when The Rockefeller Foundation initiated Thailand’s anti-hookworm campaign and supported the establishment of the country’s first Ministry of Health.

The Rockefeller Foundation collaborated with the Government of Thailand between 1917-1934 to establish medical and nursing education in the country with Prince Mahidol’s assistance. Since 1990, The Rockefeller Foundation has supported over 36 projects at Mahidol University by granting close to $8.8 million in funds for these initiatives in agriculture, health, and nutrition.

Image credit- (Left to right: Professor Shobhakar Dhakal and Professor Kazuo Yamamoto with the Asian Institute of Technology, Deepali Khanna and Natalye Paquin with The Rockefeller Foundation)