The School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in collaboration with the University of Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City, will launch a new AIT International Professional Master’s Programme in Urban Management (PM-UM programme) in Vietnam in September.

The PM-UM programme aims to promote sustainable development by drawing on and integrating theories and perspectives from the disciplines of urban planning; urban and regional development; economic development; and public policy and management into a distinctive framework of problem issues and questions concerning the urban environment in a developing country context.

The programme responds to the need for more highly qualified urban management professionals across Vietnam . Rapid urbanisation in Vietnam has increased pressure on government authorities to improve urban planning for the welfare of city-dwellers, with cities such as Hanoi , Danang, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh growing at rapid pace.

The programme was introduced at a seminar on “International Education for Urban Management Professionals in Vietnam ” held at the University of Architecture , Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam last month.

“Professionals in Vietnam will gain expertise on integrated approaches in urban management based on knowledge and applications, as well as from analysis of emerging issues such as disaster, climate change, and risk management in different countries and regions,” said Assoc. Prof. Vilas Nitivattananon, Coordinator of Urban Environmental Management field of study, AIT, and the PM-UM Programme, who presented the program’s curriculum and plan at the seminar.

AIT’s association with Vietnam is deep-rooted, and the Institute was conferred the “2006 Friendship Order” by the Government of Vietnam for contributing toward human resource development in the country.

AIT has produced 2,741 alumni from Vietnam and trained 15,000 Vietnamese nationals in various short-term training courses.

Source: VNA