TOUR ON FISH PROCESSING AND VALUE ADDITION IN THAILAND (20–24 MAY 2024)
Description:
From 20 to 24 May 2024, the Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) program at AIT organized a study tour in Central Thailand to provide hands-on exposure to fish processing and value addition. Tailored for small-scale fisheries and aquaculture operators, especially SME entrepreneurs, the tour offered insights into innovative ways to add value to and market fishery products for domestic and export markets. Participants visited commercial enterprises producing value-added products such as dried Snakehead (Channa striata), dried Snakeskin Gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis), and fish sauce, while also observing food safety practices and management systems widely followed in Thailand.
MASTERING NILE TILAPIA AQUACULTURE: STUDY TOUR ON FISH PROCESSING AND VALUE ADDITION IN THAILAND
Description:
From 10–28 June 2024, a comprehensive three-week short course on Nile tilapia aquaculture was held at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. The program covered seed production, grow-out culture, and advanced health management, equipping participants with practical skills in breeding monosex tilapia in tanks and hapas, larval and nursery rearing, and biosecure farming practices. Participants also visited intensive hatcheries and growout farms across Thailand to explore commercial pond and cage culture systems and learn firsthand about the
production and marketing strategies of the Thai tilapia industry. One week of the course focused on fish health management, including disease diagnostics, microbiology techniques, and biosecurity measures, led by leading tilapia experts.
The short course “Aqua-Feed for Future Aquaculture: Cutting-edge Feed Technologies for 21st Century Aquaculture” was successfully held from 25 to 29 November 2024 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Kasetsart University, Thailand. Designed for practitioners in the aquaculture industry, the course introduced recent innovations in aquaculture nutrition, feed technology, and precision feeding strategies. Participants explored the latest developments in alternative protein and energy sources, functional feed additives, advanced feed processing and delivery systems, and methods to enhance feed efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Through expert-led lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, attendees gained practical knowledge in quality control, feed safety, and sustainable aquaculture practices—equipping them with the tools
to optimize fish health, growth, and welfare in modern production systems.
ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE: SMART SHRIMP FARMING IN CIRCULAR PONDS
Description:
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) offers a specialized short course on smart shrimp farming, emphasizing sustainable practices through the use of circular ponds and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). This intensive program, held from March 17 to 23, 2024, in Vietnam, targets the cultivation of white shrimp using innovative methods aimed at minimizing environmental impact. Participants will gain insights into the principles of the circular economy as applied to aquaculture, focusing on techniques that reduce effluents and promote sustainability. The course includes expert-led sessions and field visits to operational circular-pond shrimp farms in Vietnam, providing hands-on experience with best management practices. The program fee is US$1,800, covering accommodation, meals, local transportation, and translation services. This training is particularly relevant for aquaculture professionals and enthusiasts seeking to
enhance their knowledge and skills in sustainable shrimp farming practices.
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), in collaboration with the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre, offers a comprehensive short course on mud crab aquaculture. Scheduled for April 21–27, 2024, in Thailand, the program is designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for successful mud crab farming. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including mud crab biology and ecology, hatchery and larval rearing technologies, pond design and construction, water quality management, nutrition and feed formulation, disease prevention, and marketing strategies. Participants will engage in handson training sessions and field visits to local mud crab farms and research centers, providing real-world insights into the industry. The course fee is US$1,800, which includes accommodation, meals, local transportation, and
translation services. This program is ideal for aquaculture professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts aiming to harness the lucrative field of mud crab farming.
PROFESSIONAL SHORT COURSE ON ASIAN SEABASS HATCHERY AND FARMING TECHNIQUES
Description:
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) offers a comprehensive short course on Asian Seabass (Barramundi) hatchery and farming techniques, scheduled from April 28 to May 4, 2024, in Thailand. This program aims to equip participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in seabass aquaculture. The curriculum encompasses theoretical lectures on seabass biology, culture systems, hatchery and nursery practices, nutrition, feed formulation, disease management, and value addition. Renowned experts, including Donald Macintosh and Krishna R. Salin, lead the sessions. The hands-on training involves laboratory examinations of seabass anatomy and developmental stages, along with field visits to operational hatcheries and grow-out farms. The course fee is US$1,800, covering accommodation, meals, local transportation, and translation services. This program
is ideal for aquaculture professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts seeking to enhance their expertise in sustainable practices for farming sea bass.
SMART SHRIMP FARMING: INTENSIVE MULTI-PHASE SHRIMP PRODUCTION IN CIRCULAR TANKS
Description:
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) offers a professional short course on Smart Shrimp Farming, focusing on intensive multi-phase shrimp production in circular tanks. Scheduled for December 2–7, 2024, in Thailand and Vietnam, this program aims to equip participants with advanced techniques in sustainable shrimp farming. The course covers emerging concepts and practices in earthen pond and circular pond farming techniques for white shrimp, emphasizing the circular economy approach to eliminate aquaculture effluents and enhance sustainability.
Led by international experts, the training includes field visits to advanced shrimp farms in both countries, providing hands-on experience with best management practices. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend the Thai Aqua Expo, one of the largest aquaculture exhibitions in Thailand. The course fee is US$1,800 per person, which includes accommodation, meals, local transportation, and
Projects:
translation services. This program is ideal for aquaculture professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts seeking to enhance their expertise in modern, sustainable shrimp farming practices.
MARINE DEBRIS FIELD SURVEYS AND DATA ANALYSIS IN THAILAND
AIT Research Theme: Technology, Policy and Society
AIT Unit: Environmental Engineering and Management
Duration: 01 May 2023 to 31 Dec 2024
Project Sponsor/Client: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Description:
Marine debris has been identified as a significant risk to biodiversity, economies, human health, fisheries
management, tourism, and invasive species transport. Most marine debris, with estimates up to 80% or more, comes from land-based sources. Having data from across the landscape will help us better understand where, why, and when plastic leaks into the environment. In 2024, the project conducted field surveys with data collection, data analysis, and additional fieldwork in Thailand (inland, riverine, coastal, and at-sea surface trawls) at a regional scale and uploaded all data.
DIAGNOSIS OF AQUATIC ANIMAL DISEASES AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES
AIT Research Theme: Food, Energy, Water
AIT Unit: Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management
Duration: 24 Jul 2023 to 31 Dec 2025
Project Sponsor/Client: National and international donors
Expected Social Impact: The successful implementation of this project will contribute to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry, ensuring healthier and more productive farming.
Description:
Infectious diseases represent a critical bottleneck for the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. Offering timely diagnosis and appropriate health management solutions, this project aims to provide vital services to farmers, enabling them to effectively prevent losses caused by diseases. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the enhancement of the aquaculture sector through specialized disease diagnosis and health management support.
PISCES - PARTNERSHIP TO PREVENT PLASTIC POLLUTION IN INDONESIAN SOCIETIES
AIT Research Theme: Technology, Policy and Society
AIT Unit: SMARTS Center
Duration: 01 Jan 2024 to 01 Apr 2026
Project Sponsor/Client: National and international donors
Project Partners: Academic Partners Brunel University London (lead) University of Leeds Partner Institutes & Collaborators GIRAFFE INNOVATION Limited Mura Technology Limited Yayasan Green Books Indonesia Plastic Oceans SYSTEMIQ Ltd Waste4Change Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investments (CMMAI)—Indonesian Government Pasuruan Regional Environment Agency Indonesian Waste Platform Indonesia Solid Waste Association (INSWA) Waste and Resources Action Partnership (WRAP) (GIZ) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Germany GmbH University of Oxford Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) University of Esa Unggul Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology Bandung Institute of Technology Universitas Airlangga Udayana University The Indonesian Institute of Science The Indian Institute of Science University of Vienna
Expected Social Impact: Under the ‘PISCES’ program, our work will aim at the ‘costs’ and ‘benefits’ for municipalities, mainly focusing on drainage systems and the impact of plastic debris on their productivity & damage to the engineered infrastructures in cities (e.g., engineered storm water and sewerage drainage systems), to identify the chain of actors addressing plastic impacts through alternative instruments viz. regulatory, incentive-based, non-economic, etc., including links to social and cultural issues, and to determine the economic cost burden through valuation of total welfare loss using a production function approach.
Description:
The project ‘A Systems Analysis Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste in Indonesian Societies (PISCES) has Multiple Work Packages’ funded by UK Research and Innovation - Global Challenges Research Fund (UKRI-GCRF) aims to create hope spots in Indonesia’s battle against plastic waste with the help of an international multidisciplinary team.
SEA OF SOLUTIONS
AIT Research Theme: Smart communities, Technology, Policy and Society
AIT Unit: Environmental Engineering and Management
Duration: 28 Aug 2024 to 31 May 2025
Project Sponsor/Client: United Nations Environment Programme
Expected Social Impact: Better plastic waste management
Description:
This project will contribute to UNEP’s Programme of Work and its UNEP Plastics Initiative (SMA ID 130677)
by supporting delivery of project output under reducing marine litter by addressing the management of the plastic value chain in Southeast Asia (SEA circular, with funding support from the Government of Sweden, specifically Output 4 Regional Networking, to support planning and implementation of the SEA of Solutions 2024). It will also contribute to achieving Outcome 1 of the UNPDF capacitybuilding project.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL (TAADIN)
AIT Research Theme: Food-Energy-Water
AIT Unit: Aqua-Centre
Duration: 15 Nov 2024 to 14 Nov 2027
Project Sponsor/Client: Farm Land Agro-Concern Research Collaboration Center (FLACRC) Co. Ltd.
Expected Social Impact: Create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for the youths in Nepal, produce hundreds of tons of fish and make them available to the people in the communities. Millions of people will be aware of the benefits of fish farming and fish consumption.
Description:
The main objective of this project is to provide technical assistance to the private sector for the establishment and
operation of a model farm, named Integrated Agriculture Forestry with Ecological Park, to support the government’s goal of advancing agricultural entrepreneurship and developing skilled technical manpower. With aquaculture as the main component spanning half of the project area, i.e., 50 Bigha or 34 ha, the company aims to implement a commercial fish farm using cutting-edge technology developed and promoted by AIT. This initiative seeks to reduce yield gaps in Nepal and other countries due to various factors and strengthen traditional revenues from fish cultivation in Nepal while creating job opportunities incountry and promoting economic development.
INNOVATE FOR IMPACT: SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT PLASTIC POLLUTION IN RIVERS AND CANALS
AIT Research Theme: Water, Energy, Food, Climate Change
Description:
The fight against plastic pollution received a significant boost with the successful conclusion of the online competition
“Innovate for Impact: Solutions to Combat Plastic Pollution in Rivers and Canals. Held on February 15, 2024, the event
was organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as part of its project CounterMEASURE III, with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), generously funded by the Government of Japan.
A SYSTEMS ANALYSIS APPROACH TO REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE IN INDONESIAN SOCIETIES AND CIRCULAR PLASTIC ECONOMY: BRIDGING THEORY AND PRACTICE TO TRAIN FUTURE LEADERS IN SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS RESEARCH.
AIT Research Theme: Water, Energy, Food, Climate Change
AIT Unit: SMARTS Center
Duration: 2024-2026
Description:
As a part of consortia of institutes, SMARTS is engaged in model development and estimation of economic ‘costs’ and ‘benefits’ for municipalities, mainly focusing on drainage systems and the impact of plastic debris on their productivity. The project aims to identify the chain of actors responsible for addressing plastic impacts through alternative instruments such as regulatory, incentive-based, and noneconomic measures, while also incorporating links to social and cultural issues. As a follow-up grant, CPEN project supports a bespoke set of networking and brainstorming activities in the key areas of plastic pollution prevention,
management, and environmental leadership development to co-create a high-level, multidisciplinary training program for students, researchers, and practitioners in academia, industry, government, and civil society; to provide hands-on training in mapping, monitoring, evaluation, and modeling of plastics production, consumption, and management; and to foster leadership in plastics research and innovation, supporting the research needs of the forthcoming Global Plastics Treaty. The training program will take the form of a summer school.
