IUCN Asia shares knowledge products to Mahidol University
IUCN Asia Regional Office donated knowledge products to the Faculty of Environment and Resources Studies of Mahidol University on 18 June 2020. Dr. TP Singh, Deputy Regional Director and Ms. Kanokphorn Emprom, Senior Operations Manager, Regional Programme Directorate of IUCN Asia attended the simple ceremony with Associate Professor Dr. Sura Pattanakiat, Dean of the Faculty and Director of Central and Western Regional Centre for Geo-informatics and Space Technology, along with Assistant Professor Dr. Thamarat Phutthai and Dr. Allan Sriratana Tabucanon.
“This collection is a treasure trove of knowledge and information on natural resources management and other broader topics on nature conservation. These publications will provide our faculty and students with appropriate references as they embark on their learning journeys. We thank IUCN Asia for this remarkable gesture,” said Associate Professor Dr. Sura Pattanakiat, Dean of the Faculty, Director of Central and Western Regional Centre for Geo-informatics and Space Technology of Mahidol University.
Dr. Singh and Ms Emprom presented IUCN publications on transboundary water management, mangrove conservation, forest restoration, marine species, red-list species, eco-based disaster risk reduction and management, Mekong basin-related publications, gender-related, and community development.
“Integration of the learnings from the field, including policy research, with the course curricula of universities helps in enriching the learning experience of the students and allows them to be exposed to actual case studies from the ground. This helps the students to grasp the concepts related to environment and natural resources management and enhances their understanding of some of the complex issues,” said Dr. Tejpal Singh, Deputy Regional Director, IUCN Asia.
Prof. Sura Pattanakiat and his colleagues also expressed their strong interest in continuing with their association with IUCN and suggested that this association be further strengthened by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC). Dr. Singh welcomed this initiative and mentioned that this will further enhance the collaboration between the university and IUCN. Some of the areas of mutual interest discussed are students internship with IUCN, fund raising for joint project development and lectures by IUCN experts.
On earlier occasions, Dr. Singh had been invited as a speaker to some of the seminars as well as Executive Officers Training Courses organised by the Mahidol University.
With a growing collection of knowledge products, IUCN Asia has embarked to share its
publications to universities in Thailand. A total of 1,000 publications are prepared for donation to academic institutions. On 17 June 2020, Kasetsart University has received similar collection for its main library and later this month, the Asian Institute of Technology will receive its publications from IUCN Asia.