History
Greater Mekong Subregional (GMS) Development Workshop
The Greater Mekong Subregion Academic and Research Network (GMSARN) traces its foundation to the Greater Mekong Subregional (GMS) Development Workshop, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 10 - 11 November 1999. The workshop was co-organized by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was co-sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and AIT.
One of the workshop’s objectives was to establish a relevant academic and research network known as the GMS Academic and Research Network (GMSARN), to be located within the GMS. The workshop established a working committee to facilitate the network’s establishment within a year. Networking prevents duplication of efforts, helps academics in their collaborative work and serves as a cohesive force in addressing GMS problems. The network aims to strengthen regional institutions in assisting the sustainable development of the GMS and building its self-reliance.
Signing of Agreement by GMS Country Institutions
An agreement among the founding GMS country institutions was signed on 26 January 2001, based on resolutions reached at the Greater Mekong Subregional Development Workshop. The GMSARN member institutions are the Asian Institute of Technology; the Institute of Technology of Cambodia; Kunming University of Science and Technology, Yunnan Province, China; National University of Laos; Yangon Technological University, Myanmar; Khon Kaen University,Thailand; Thammasat University, Thailand; Hanoi University of Technology, Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam. GMSARN's newest members are the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia and Yunnan University in Yunnan Province, China.
Speeches and Minutes:
The agreement commenced on the date of signing and will remain in effect for four years, subject to extension by the GMSARN member institutions.