The partnered universities, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, and the Colorado State University (CSU), enabling outstanding AIT students to earn dual graduate degrees in two years, have produced its first three graduates.
Left to right: Avalokita Tuladhar, Kasun Sahabandu, and Wangmo Ghalley, 2023 graduates from the AIT/CSU dual graduate degree program.
Avalokita Tuladhar, Kasun Sahabandu and Wangmo Ghalley are the pioneers of the Dual Degree Master’s Program between AIT, Thailand, and CSU, USA. After completing their first year in AIT’s Water Engineering and Management (WEM) program, School of Engineering and Technology, they embarked on the next phase of their studies at CSU in August 2022. Through this dual degree program, they earned an MEng/MSc in Water Engineering and Management from AIT and an MS in Civil Engineering from CSU.
Kasun Sahabandu graduated in August 2023, specializing in hydraulics engineering. Hailing from Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka. He now works as a computational hydraulics engineer at Hydrau Tech in Fort Collins, USA. Kasun remarked, “CSU and AIT have two of the world’s top water programs. This program enabled me to delve into computational hydraulics and become an expert in a niche area of civil engineering”. Kasun’s thesis was jointly supervised by Dr. Ho Huu Loc from AIT and Prof. Karan Venayagamoorthy from CSU.
Wangmo Ghalley graduated in December 2023, focusing on water resources with a research emphasis on hydrologic changes caused by hydropower dam operations and climate change. Post Graduation, she started her engineering career at Mott MacDonald in Lakewood, USA. “I was attracted to this dual degree program for the unique opportunity to earn two master’s degrees from two prestigious universities,” Wangmo said. Wangmo’s thesis was jointly supervised by Prof. Sangam Shrestha from AIT and Dr. Robert Ettema/Dr. Jeffrey Niemann from CSU.
All three shared their joined experience when they landed in CSU and stated that, arriving on a new continent with no familiar faces, they felt ambivalent but excited about this new chapter. The CSU staff and students warmly welcomed them, and during the first week, they participated in orientations that highlighted CSU’s commitment to diversity. Being an international student at CSU has been rewarding, as they joined various organizations, met people from different countries, and learned about diverse cultures. The wide range of classes and excellent facilities, including research labs, libraries, and computer centers, enriched their academic experience. Working as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) was challenging yet enriching, allowing them to gain valuable teaching experience and interact with students from diverse backgrounds. They continued their research in hydrology, groundwater, and fluid mechanics under advisors from both AIT and CSU, benefiting from the dual-degree program’s international exposure. Overall, their time at CSU has been valuable and enjoyable, and while they feel part of the CSU community, they will always remain AIT-is at heart.
While both universities celebrated their first batch of graduates from the partnership in 2023, fostering more dual degree graduates, Professor Sangam Shrestha, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology and Professor at Water Engineering and Management Program at AIT, who lead the dual degree program at AIT, remarked, “The partnership between AIT and CSU is unparalleled. AIT boasts over 60 years of history in water education and research, contributing significantly to addressing intricate water resource challenges in the Asian region. Similarly, CSU has a renowned legacy in fluid mechanics, hydraulics, hydrology, water quality, and water resources planning and management, tackling global water needs effectively.”
He further stated, “Our students will benefit from both AIT and CSU. At AIT, they will gain exposure to and comprehension of complex water issues in Asian countries. Conversely, at CSU, they will receive training in utilizing integrated approaches with advanced data analytics, decision science, and management tools to address dynamic and intricate water challenges in infrastructure and institutions.”
Shawn Kelly, Director of International Affairs at AIT, expressed that the departure of Master’s students from Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to Colorado State University (CSU) marks another significant milestone in the enduring history of personal connections and successes between their institutions. He noted CSU’s pivotal role in AIT’s founding in the late 1950s and emphasized the ongoing partnership, culminating in the International Collaborative Degree Program proposed in early 2019 and officially signed on March 3, 2021. Kelly highlighted this program as a prime example of enduring higher education partnerships, underscoring CSU’s status as AIT’s oldest and most impactful international university partner. He expressed pride and gratitude that their students will embark on a transformative academic journey in the United States, continuing the tradition of mutual benefit for both institutions.
Dual Degree Programs with CSU
AIT currently has two dual degree programs with CSU, one with the Water Engineering and Management Program and another with the Geotechnical and Earth Resources Engineering Program.
🌏 Learn more about dual degree programs in AIT at: https://ait.ac.th/study/dual-degree-programs/
🌏 Learn more about this dual degree program in WEM with CSU: https://ait.ac.th/program/dual-degree-masters-program-in-water-engineering-and-management-with-colorado-state-university/
🐏 About Colorado State University: https://www.colostate.edu/