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How To Achieve Sustainable Development?

To balance our economic, environmental and social needs, allowing prosperity for current and future generations.
Study with us to learn skills and up-to-date approaches to achieve sustainable development!

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Department of Development and Sustainability

About Us

Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) aims to respond to emerging challenges to sustainable development in Asia and rest of the world. The world is rapidly changing economically, socially, politically as well as culturally. In order to effectively address various emerging issues, we need to have critical and deep analysis of contexts under a multiplicity of identities - be it by gender, religion, ethnicity, class, age, geographical location, livelihood, nation, etc. There are urgent needs for professionals who are able to apply multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving, with in-depth understanding and responsiveness to the various needs of women and men.

We strive to generate knowledge and approaches to meet these needs.

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Mission

Academic Programs

Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DPMM)

Disasters have become a huge threat. Rapid population growth, urbanization, poverty, and climate change have increased the vulnerability of many Asian countries. Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management is offering interdisciplinary degrees and short-term trainings for capacity-building and skill development.

Research Areas: Disaster risk mitigation, Disaster risk science and engineering, Risk governance, Community based disaster risk management, Disaster management and sustainable development, Remote sensing and GIS.
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Gender and Development Studies (GDS)

Gender and development studies develops scholars and analysts who can integrate a gender approach to development planning and management as well as highlight practical applications for academic research in gender and development, including the Sustainable Development Goals, globally and more specifically in Asia.

Research Areas: Gender and environment, Development planning/management,Globalization, Employment, Health, Politics/human rights, Technologies, Development communication, Migration, Gender-based violence, Gender main- streaming, Masculinities, etc.
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Natural Resources Management (NRM)

Rapid decline of natural resources has increasingly threatened sustainable development. Natural Resources Management focuses its teaching and research on understanding and assessment of the impacts of decision making and international policies on natural resources management through the use of various analytical frameworks, methods, tools, and technologies.

Research Areas: Sustainable forest carbon management, Land use change, Land degradation, Water management and governance, Biodiversity conservation, Natural resource economics and policies, Climate mitigation/adaptation, and Applications of geomatics in natural resources management.
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Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)

Focuses on rural poverty, improvement of the quality of life, and social and economic development of rural areas. Practice oriented rural regional planning is carried out regularly at district and sub-district levels following a participatory and integrated approach, and attention is paid to management of development institutions, infrastructure and physical resources to strengthen rural communities for sustainable development.

Research Areas: International development, agricultural development, Non-governmental organizations, Rural-urban relations, Regional planning etc.
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Urban Environmental Management (UEM)

Responds to the need to examine urban growth and environmental problems from the management and planning perspectives to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient cities. We focus on understanding urban dynamics and developing effective interventions using various decision support and instruments in multi-stakeholder setting.

Research Areas: Urban sustainable land use planning and management, Management of urban infrastructure and services, Environmental systems analysis and sustainability assessment, Adaptation approaches to disaster risks and climate change.
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Degree

Program Semester Credit
Doctoral Program 7 84
Master Program 4 48
Professional Master Program 2 33
Diploma Program 2 24
Certificate Program 1 12
Part Time Program - -
All the above can be done part time.

How to Apply

Admission Requirements

Master's Degree Program

To be eligible for admission to the degree, a candidate should:

  • Hold a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent specified by the Academic Program from the institution of recognized standing
  • Have Bachelor's grade significantly above average
*Similar to above required for Certificate and Diploma Program

Doctoral Degree Program

To be eligible for admission to the regular doctoral degree program, an applicant must:

  • Have strong academic records (both undergraduate and graduate) and hold a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree, preferably with a combination of course and thesis work, from an institution of good standing, acceptable to AIT. The minimum GPA requirement for admission to the doctoral program is 3.50 or equivalent at the master's degree level
  • Submit a brief outline of dissertation research proposal including the required research facilities, if necessary
  • Receive a written confirmation that a faculty member at AIT is available and willing to supervise.

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Testimonials

Student Voices

Urban Environmental Management has given me a chance to develop both academic and real-life experience that enlightened me to reach my career goals in the field of urban and regional planning.

Sariya Srichuae Thailand

Gender Development Studies at the Asian Institute of Technology provided me with the conceptual framework to bring all my life experiences from student to trade unionist to political activist and move forward with a strong gender knowledge in the process of transformation of society based on social justice and equality. It was a great opportunity to have theoretical clarity, as well as knowledge, skill and perspective to see every aspect of life through gender lens. Thanks to the Asian Institute of Technology, I have developed skills which will be useful for the rest of my life.

Binda pandey Nepal

Attending the Natural Resources Management program at the Asian Institute of Technology proved to be an invaluable experience for me. Moreover, friendship with my colleagues during my study at Natural Resources Management and the Asian Institute of Technology alumni network across the globe greatly benefited me, both personally and professionally.

Somsak Vivitheyoonvong Thailand

Regional and Rural Development Planning has facilitated the broadening of my horizons both in academics and in the field through astute, in-depth and practical-oriented curriculum. This field of study provides hands-on experience through workshops, while up-to-date research studies help in analyzing hurdles for sustainable regional and rural development.

Irfan Ahmad Rena Pakistan

Studying under the Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management program at the Asian Institute of Technology allowed me to gain immense knowledge and experience from renowned faculty members and enthusiastic course-mates from across the globe. Many wonderful friends were made along the way. I am really glad that I made this choice to pursue my masters with Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management.

Elaine Chong Su Feng Singapore

The exchange program between Gender and Development Studies and Ochanomizu University was a great opportunity for me to deepen my theoretical and practical knowledge as well as enhance my research skills so as to get an insight into my research topic. All my experiences in Gender and Development Studies are treasured and helpful to prepare my future career and academic network as well.

Orui Yuki Japan