International Postgraduate Program of Water Resources Engineering in Asia

Abstract

Over the course of three decades (1961–90), the Water Resources Engineering (WRE) Program of the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand has conferred master’s degrees to about 650 students and doctoral degrees to 22 students. Many of its alumni are now employed in national development projects or hold key government positions in their home countries in Asia. Its academic curriculum covers a broad range of graduate courses in water resources engineering, with primary emphasis on the applications of scientific knowledge. The program, through its intensive academic curriculum, its wide range of courses available, its emphasis on professional development and research projects of practical relevance to Asia, its international faculty staff, and resources provided mainly by developed countries, has succeeded in bringing modern technology to developing countries of Asia and has assisted them in developing their water resources infrastructure. However, from the perspective of the interdisciplinary nature of WRE, of changes in technology, growing complexities in engineering problems, and environmental concern, the program should evolve towards multidisciplinary training in order to meet the needs of Asia in the twenty-first century.