AARM recognizes the significant contribution of aquaculture to food security and economic growth within the carrying capacity of natural and manmade ecosystems. It emphasizes the promotion of sustainable aquatic systems through improved production technology with due consideration given to social, economic and environmental issues. AARM is committed to improving regional institutional capacity in aquaculture and aquatic resources management and related fields through innovative approaches that integrate education, research and outreach.

AARM Offers:

Full-time and part-time (flexible) degree programs (Master’s and Doctoral), Diploma, and Certificate courses in Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources Management, and Integrated Costal Management
• Opportunities for on-campus research in well-equipped laboratories or field-based research on real world problems
• Internship and exposure to Asian aquaculture, aquatic resources management and integrated coastal management
• Credit transfer from reputable academic institutions
• Continuing education opportunities through tailor-made training courses and study tours
• Consultancy services to public and private sectors

A focus on key issues

Aquaculture Technology
Aquaculture production accounts for almost half of world fish supply. Asia contributes over 90% of global aquaculture production and plays a key role in the development of appropriate culture systems and technologies. Aquaculture production increases by 6-7% and it is expected to surpass capture fisheries production in the next 10 years. Further development of aquaculture is also expected to help us move away from dependency on overexploited capture fisheries resources and to enhance and conserve aquatic habitats and biodiversity, but this expansion should not exceed the carrying capacity of water resources.

Aquatic Resources Management
Wild aquatic resources are essential sources of nutrition for rural populations. Any degradation of these resources due to over-fishing, use of illegal fishing gears, introduction of exotic fish, misuse of chemicals, and agro-industrial waste discharge, deforestation and breeding ground destruction and dam constructions that can lead to blocking of migratory pathways will have dramatic impacts on the nutritional and health status of rural people.

Integrated Coastal Management
Population growth, poverty, resource use conflicts, illegal activities, pollution, biodiversity conservation, policy and institutional gaps and conflicts are the major issues and problems in coastal management. A management approach that integrates sectors (government agencies, non-government organizations, community, etc.), disciplines (science, engineering and management), land- and sea-based activities (agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, fisheries, tourism, etc.) is important to address the various issues and problems in the coastal area.

Areas of Specialization

• Aquaculture Technology (AT)
• Aquatic Resources Management (ARM)
• Integrated Coastal Management (ICM, an interdisciplinary program)

 An Aquaculture Business Management Program is currently being developed to cater to people who would like to be equipped with technical and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills necessary for aquaculture business.

Courses

Aquaculture Technology

• Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Systems
• Aquatic Seed Production                                        

• Coastal and Inland Aquaculture
• Aquaculture Nutrition and Feed Technology
• Aquatic Animal Health Management
• Genetics and Biotechnology in Aquaculture
• Analytical Techniques in Aquaculture
• Aquaculture Engineering and Water Quality Management
• Aquaculture Planning and Management
• Seminar on Recent Developments in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management
• Statistical Applications in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management
• Thesis Research Workshop
• Internship in Aquaculture

Aquatic Resources Management

• Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Systems
• Aquatic Ecosystem Assessment and Management
• Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation
• Tools for Aquatic Resource and Environmental Assessment
• Wetland Ecosystem Management
• Coastal and Inland Fisheries Management
• Geoinformatics for Resources Planning and Management
• Seminar on Recent Developments in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management
• Statistical Applications in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management
• Thesis Research Workshop
• Internship in Aquatic Resources Management

 
Integrated Coastal Management

• Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
• Principles of Integrated Coastal Management
• Tools for Integrated Coastal Management
• Workshop on Integrated Coastal Management
• Seminar on Recent Developments Integrated Coastal Management
• Thesis Research Workshop
• Internship in Integrated Coastal Management
• Elective courses from other fields of study such as:
• Rural and Regional Development Planning
• Natural Resources Management
• Gender and Development Studies
• Urban and Environmental Management
• Environmental Engineering and Management
• Geotechnical and Geoenviromental Technology
• Water Engineering and Management
• Remote Sensing and GIS

and related courses from the School of Management

Certificate and Degree Programs

• Certificate program (9-12 credits, 1 semester)
• Diploma program (26 credits, 2 semesters)
• Professional masters program (32 credits, 2 semesters & 1 intersem)  
• Regular masters program (48 credits, 4 semesters for full time, 6 semesters for part-time)
• Doctoral program (84 credits, 6 semesters)

The first two semesters in the regular masters and doctoral programs are devoted for coursework. Thesis and dissertation research are conducted after the first year.

Internship

AARM has access to government and non-government organizations, and private aquaculture farms in Thailand and other countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Internship in these organizations is arranged for AARM students as well as students from abroad who would like to spend few months in Asia and at the same time gain real work experience in these organizations and earn course credits.

Research

AARM’s cross-cutting research themes include:

• Small-scale aquaculture
• Seed production and genetics
• Aquaculture nutrition and feed technology/ management
• Participatory approaches to aquatic resources management for sustainable livelihoods
• Integrated coastal management
• Regional education development

• AARM encourages students to select research topics relevant to their own careers and conduct research in their own countries.  They are taught to identify real world problems related to aquatic resources and to use participatory problem solving approaches to develop practical solutions that can be implemented at local level. Students undertaking their thesis research on campus use our extensive field facilities, well-equipped laboratories and hatcheries.

Outreach

The Wetland Alliance composed of AIT, WWF, WorldFish Center and Coastal Resources Institute (CORIN) works with 30 partner organizations in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam for poverty alleviation, wetlands management, and sustainable local development. Continuing the efforts of AARM’s Outreach Programme, the Alliance offers faculty and students opportunities and encourages them to engage in research and educational activities that are of critical relevance for local Alliance partners. 
Since early 1990s, AARM has been actively working on capacity development of institutions mainly through training of their officials and upgrading their education system especially in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh. More recently, AARM has introduced innovative approaches to post-graduate education in aquaculture and aquatic resources management in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and Vietnam.