Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵTB) Managing Director, Mr. Deodat Maharaj will visit China next week for wide-ranging meetings related to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵTB¡¯s mandate on science, technology and innovation for the world¡¯s least developed countries (LDCs).
Mr. Maharaj will be in Guangzhou, Nanjing and Beijing, with Programme Management Assistant, G¨¹ne? Aykut Erg¨¹ler.
In Guangzhou, the delegation will hold discussions with World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO) President Ying Fangtian on deepening collaboration between the two organizations. Since 2021, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵTB has partnered with WEDO and the International School of Design at Zhejiang University on a scholarship scheme for students from LDCs. So far, 100 students from 22 LDCs have received full scholarships to undertake a Master¡¯s degree at Zhejiang University.
On the 14 November, Mr. Maharaj will chair a plenary panel discussion during the in Nanjing. Experts from governments, academia and the private sector will discuss the theme ¡®Leveraging Knowledge to Drive Science, Technology and Innovation¡¯. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵTB team will also engage with WAITRO to look at ways to connect industrial research organizations and members of WAITRO with counterparts and institutions in LDCs.
WAITRO¡¯s work is closely linked to that of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank. An independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit association, WAITRO brings together global science, technology and innovation stakeholders, including research and technology organizations and universities, to solve global development challenges.
In Beijing, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Technology Bank will meet with Chinese government officials and international partners. Mr. Maharaj will also hold talks with Zhang Yi, Deputy Director-General of the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchange and explore collaborations with Chinese institutions which have a longstanding track record working with the poorest countries on the planet.