SANDEE
Regarding PIDE-SANDEE collaboration to strengthen our Environmental Economics Program, Dr. Rehana suggested me informally discuss possible points of collaboration with SANDEE. Resultantly, I had a Skype meeting with PriyaShyamsundar Program Director SANDEE who was online from Washington DC and Heman who was online from SANDEE secretariat Nepal. During the discussion following key themes emerged:
1. Seemingly, SANDEE has broaden its focus from Environmental Economics to Environmental Management. In this connection they are already looking for new avenues of collaboration everywhere. Particularly in Pakistan, they are planning to see if the Environmental Sciences Department of QAU is interested in this kind of program. What they see, is to have a MPhil Program in Environmental Management jointly offered by QAU and PIDE having two tracks namely, i) Policy Track and 2) Science Track. Regarding the former track, they see PIDE having a lead role.
2. SANDEE offered its support in the capacity building of our faculty in Environmental Economics by connecting it with their broader research agenda. Each year in April, SANDEE offers a three week intensive course in Environment and Resource Economics followed by a one week course on Environmental Policy. SANDEE expects that a regular economist trained in these courses will continue as environmental economist. SANDEE bears all costs involved for the course except a subscription fees of USD 100. To qualify for the course, a researcher must submit a two page concept note. SANDEE expects that trainees will work closely with SANDEE after the course and come up with a full research proposal related to Environmental Economics to qualify for SANDEE Grant worth USD 20000 and an advisor and other logistics. Successful SANDEE grantees get a chance to present their research work and progress in various South Asian countries during the grant period. If we can encourage some of our economists to plugin themselves in this course and serve in our Environmental Economics program, it will be highly beneficial. Dr. Anwar Hussain is already applying for this course. Furthermore, I suggest that we can ask two more economists such as Iftikar, Khalid Mehmood or anyone else who volunteers to be an Environmental Economist.
3. SANDEE proposed to see the collaboration as a package based on principle of matching support:
i. Starting a seminar series where SANDEE grantees from all over Pakistan could come and tell students about their research. This could expose students with latest issues in environmental economics and thus help them in choosing their MPhil Thesis topics
ii. SANDEE could also provide very minor financial support to for those MPhil students who want to collect primary data from field.
iii. SANDEE also encouraged to see if PIDE can bring matching support from HEC for the short term placement of worlds renowned environmental economists to come and teach at PIDE for a period of one or two semesters.
Heman from SANDEE Nepal is already planning to visit Pakistan during 17-21 March 2014. If we agree on some of the above points as mutual interesting, we can initiate some kind of meeting agenda and share with SANDEE in advance.
Kindly Comment.
Regards
Junaid
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Junaid Alam Memon (PhD)
Assistant Professor
Environmental Economics and Climate Change Program
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad Pakistan