South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity - SARIC

19/01/2024

We take great pride in introducing Anoja Chandrakanthi, an accomplished Electrical Engineer at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in Sri Lanka and a participant of SAR100 Women Energy Leaders Program.

In Anoja's words, "The SAR100 Women Energy Leaders Program lays the foundation for a thriving career in Electrical Engineering by enriching the knowledge and skills of newly recruited engineers."

The moment captured here was during the training program facilitated by CEB - focusing on the intricate process of 33kV line stringing. This involves construction of 33 kV lines & Low Voltage lines, stringing of pole line & ABC conductor, binding of insulators, Drop Down Lift Off (DDLO) fuse fixing and crimping of service connections, jumper connections and cable joints. Notably, this field has traditionally been considered unsuitable for females and recognized as one of the most challenging and risky jobs globally.

Anoja's involvement in this program exemplifies its success in bringing together 100 women professionals in the energy sector from seven South Asian countries: , , , , , , and .

This collaborative regional effort is an integral part of the South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) and its essence lies in amplifying the voices of women in the energy sector, recognizing that with more women comes more . It aims to transform individual careers and also contribute to building a more inclusive and diverse landscape within the industry.

As we approach the culmination of the program during the capstone week, we eagerly look forward to sharing more inspiring stories of the participants.

👩🏾‍🎓 Stay tuned!

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation
Palladium: Make It Possible

Asian Institute of Technology Yunus Center at AIT

08/01/2024

South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC), funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organized a workshop focusing on 'Gender Mainstreaming in Land Ports.' in collaboration with World Bank and ICRIER

The theme of the workshop was to discuss the constraints experienced by women at land ports in Nepal and the importance of gender mainstreaming measures. The knowledge workshop brought together key stakeholders and subject matter experts from Nepal and India, fostering discussions on the subject, and sharing studies, best practices, and frameworks relevant for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) region.

Ms. Sunita Gurung, Program Manager at DFAT, Nepal post, discussed about a 7.4% increase in India's trade within the BBIN over the past five years, however, stressed that this growth lacks inclusivity across society. She underscored the limited participation of South Asian women in trade-related activities, resulting in missed economic opportunities. Quoting International Finance Corporation's estimate of over $800 billion in losses due to gender disparity in South Asia, she emphasized the urgent need for gender-friendly facilities at land ports.

She further highlighted the workshop's goal to foster regional cooperation for a comprehensive gender mainstreaming template and reaffirmed DFAT's commitment to address gender inequality in trade facilitation.

The workshop reinforced the vital importance of ensuring that trade benefits women equally and its potential for economic growth and poverty reduction.

As Ms Sunita said, “We all need to work together to move the dial on gender inequality in many fields, but particularly in trade where the gender gap is one of the most significant”.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible

20/12/2023

SARIC, in collaboration with World Bank, conducted a workshop on ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Land Ports’ in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop was facilitated by ICRIER and attended by Land Ports Authority of India, IFC, Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, Department of Customs and Nepal Freight Forwarders Association, amongst others.

Participants discussed gender-specific initiatives like mechanization in land ports to reduce physical exertion and improved infrastructure facilities like washrooms, crèches and CCTV cameras. Emphasis was placed on elevating women's roles to decision-making, endorsing gender-inclusive policies, and promoting PPPs and cross-country collaborations in South Asia for gender-friendly land ports.

Beyond the scope of employees, considerations extended to female passengers, freight forwarders, and traders associated with land ports. While drawing upon the best practices of both India and Nepal, participants acknowledged socio-cultural disparities like female engagement levels, and variations in topography and infrastructure.

The prospect of collaborative study tours to glean insights from successful endeavours, shedding light on both infrastructure interventions and identifying software gaps was also explored.

Such conversations will go a long way in ensuring a holistic and progressive approach to the region's transportation infrastructure.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible

18/12/2023

SARIC supports WePower-SAR100- a technical training program for 100 Women Energy Professionals in South Asia.

Anchored by the Asian Institute of Technology, in partnership with regional training institutes, SAR-100 aims to build the technical capacity of women professionals in the energy sector. The curriculum consists of 10 modules, emphasizing on the following aspects-

✔️ Operating integrated power systems with renewables like hydropower
✔️ Power markets for regional integration and renewable scaling, including hydropower

Further, all modules are contextualized to climate change and net zero goals of the region. Through the training, a region-wide community of women leaders in the energy sector, linked by a common understanding of energy imperatives and armed with shared perceptions and skills is being fostered.

More women, more voices, more power!

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible



Yunus Center at AIT Asian Institute of Technology

01/12/2023

The SARIC Ports Learning Tour, facilitated by MTBS (Maritime & Transport Business Solutions BV) and The World Bank was held from the 16th to the 22nd of November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The delegation composed of esteemed representatives from the Chittagong Port Authority, Ministry of Shipping, Prime Minister's Office, and the PPP Authority from Bangladesh.

The ports learning tour featured the participation of port stakeholders from Thailand and speakers from The World Bank to share their subject matter expertise, facilitating in-depth discussions between the participating delegates and the esteemed speakers.

Some important topics were covered during the course of the learning tour- encompassing themes such as the intricacies of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Port Infrastructure in Thailand, the Application of International Operating Standards in Last Comprehensive Ports (Laem Chabang Port), the nuanced evaluation of Risks and Returns associated with Private Terminal Operators, Environmental, Social, and Gender Assessment with regard to port operations, and an exploration of Logistics Cost and Hinterland Connectivity.

Complementing the discussions, a visit to the Laem Chabang Port was also made, offering the delegates insights into the operational dynamics of port infrastructure in Thailand.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank Palladium: Make It Possible IFC - International Finance Corporation

24/11/2023

Team SARIC recently had the opportunity to explore the vibrant learning ecosystem at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), , Thailand which serves as the focal point for the WePOWER - Women in Energy & Power Sector Network South Asia 100 and the Yunus Center at AIT (YCA) Regional Knowledge Hub.

The visit coincided with Mr. S. K Soonee’s class, offering the team firsthand exposure to the cutting-edge SAR100 hybrid learning environment. Mr. S. K. Soonee is the ex-Chief Executive Officer of Power System Operation Corporation- POSOCO and served as an Executive Director of System Operations at PowerGrid Corporation of India

During the visit, the team also visited the Energy Department, toured the campus facilities and got insights into the infrastructure supporting these innovative programs.

The occasion featured the presentation of the SAR100 mid-term report, showcasing the efforts of Yunus Centre to uphold the momentum of this impactful regional initiative.

This unique training program is designed to empower mid-career women in the power sector and prepare them for leadership roles in the evolving energy landscape.

To know more, visit the link - https://ait.ac.th/2023/11/the-palladium-group-commends-sar100-midpoint-accomplishments-plans-future-collaboration-with-yca/

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible

Yunus Center at AIT Asian Institute of Technology

By Yunus Center AIT 21 November 2023 - AIT Vice-President for Administration, Mr. Russell Rein, welcomed The Palladium Group’s representative, Mr. Piyush Mohanty, Associate Director on 21 November 2023 along with Prof. Abdul Salam, Dean, School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD); Pro...

15/11/2023

The training program on Dam Safety Principles in Tasmania concluded with a dynamic networking event, connecting key representatives from organizations such as , the Tasmanian Department of State Growth ( ), , and to the South Asian delegation of SARIC.

The SARIC cohort participated in an exciting ‘speed networking’ with a variety of guests from the government and private sector of Australia specialising in policy, operations, management of dams, hydropower, clean energy, and affiliated subjects.

The event provided an opportunity for the Australian experts to mingle with the delegates, share insights on opportunities, challenges, upcoming technological solutions in the domain of dam safety.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade IFC - International Finance Corporation World Bank Palladium: Make It Possible



Entura Australian Embassy, Nepal Australian Embassy, New Delhi

06/11/2023

The SAR-100 initiative is a technical training program designed for a cohort of 100 female energy professionals in the South Asian region. Its primary objective is to prepare mid-career women engineering professionals for leadership roles in the evolving energy integration and energy space.

The program has successfully nurtured a dynamic community of women within the energy sector, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and skill sets throughout South Asia.

So far, they have studied the theory and practical aspects of topics such as energy storage and microgrid planning, Integration of RE in power system, importance of power system maintenance and optimisation as well as case studies of maintenance and optimisation of integrated power systems, to name a few.

Leveraging smart classrooms and online platforms, the LSTP Program has now crossed the halfway point, and the enthusiastic engagement of participants remains truly inspiring.

As SARIC supports to build and nurture this community of women energy professionals, we also look forward to connecting with other initiatives and networks in the region to help build a more integrated and inclusive South Asia.

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Asian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi IIT Madras IIT Kharagpur IIT Roorkee IIT Ropar TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute Confederation of Indian Industries Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil.), Inc. South Asia Regional Energy Partnership NPTI United

30/10/2023

A site visit to the Upper Reservoir Dam in Hobart, facilitated by
Entura for the Dam Safety Principles Training.

Entura is one of the world’s most experienced specialist power and water consulting firms. As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s leading clean energy business and largest generator of renewable energy, it is backed by more than 100 years of creating energy and maintaining power and water assets.

The training program participants experienced a holistic approach to enhancing their comprehension of the foundational facets of dam safety and the sustainable management of hydropower assets through a synergistic blend of classroom instruction and immersive visits to various dams situated across Tasmania.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible

18/10/2023

Concluding the 10-day training program in Hobart, Tasmania by delegates from Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

These delegates participated in a customised training program on Dam Safety Principles, as a part of South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) initiative. The training program was conducted by Entura.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible

Rinchen Lhamo Lhendup Namgyal Pratigya Pradhan Rinchen Dorji Kuenzang Dorji Wangmo kinzang wangdi Kathiragamathamby Vasanthan luminda Gunawardhana Kasun Chirantha Mon Devi Shrestha Sunil Poudel Bashanta Dhoj Shrestha Bimal Gurung Fanendra Raj Joshi Prasad Singh Chaudhary Rekha Rani K. Mahendra Varma Samir Kumar Shukla Gali Srinivasulu Vivek Kumar Verma

Asia

13/10/2023

Team SARIC recently conducted a "Meet and Greet" event in Kathmandu which brought together participants of the WePOWER SAR-100 program and alumni of the Building Blocks for Inclusive Regional Infrastructure (BBIRI) program from Nepal.

The SAR-100 program stands as a distinctive technical training initiative crafted for 100 Women Energy Professionals in the South Asian region. This program has fostered a dynamic community of women energy experts, facilitating the exchange of knowledge across the South Asian region.

During the event, participants from the BBIRI program and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) shared their invaluable experiences as part of the training. They emphasized the benefits gained from their exposure to both theoretical and practical insights offered by esteemed experts in the field, hailing from both the South Asian region and Australia.

It is worth noting that the women engineers and officials who have completed the BBIRI program have reaped significant advantages from the networks and communities they were able to establish as part of their cohort. They expressed optimism regarding the potential for these connections to foster greater collaborations between the public and private sectors.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Palladium: Make It Possible

09/10/2023

In the vibrant city of Dhaka, Team SARIC recently hosted an engaging "Meet and Greet" event with the participants of WePOWER SAR-100 program and Building Blocks for Inclusive Regional Infrastructure alumni from Bangladesh.

SAR-100 program is a unique technical training initiative designed for 100 Women Energy Professionals in South Asia. The Program has created a dynamic community of women energy experts and facilitated exchange of knowledge across the South Asian region.

During this event, SARIC alumni delved into insightful discussions surrounding the energy and infrastructure sectors, sharing their experiences and insights on how the training programs have equipped them to effectively address the sector challenges while fostering meaningful cross-border collaboration.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Palladium: Make It Possible
World Bank
IFC - International Finance Corporation

- Women in Energy & Power Sector Network South Asia

25/09/2023

SARIC Alumnus Update -

🎊 Heartiest congratulations to Mr Shailesh Mishra, an alumnus of SARIC's first training program, ‘Building Blocks for Inclusive Regional Infrastructure Projects (BBIRI)’. Shailesh has chosen to further his academic pursuits through MPA in Development Practice program at Columbia University, aiming to amplify his impact in the development sector.

His academic journey includes an M. Tech. in Energy Studies from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, where he was a recipient of the fully funded Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP).

With a distinguished career spanning over 16 years, Shailesh has held pivotal roles such as CEO of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN). His expertise extends across various facets of the energy sector, including Energy Policy, Renewable Energy Systems, and Cross Border Electricity Trade in the South Asia region, among others. He has contributed significantly to both private and government organizations.

We extend our best wishes to Shailesh for his forthcoming academic endeavours and his ongoing journey of impactful contributions to society.

Stay in touch!

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15/09/2023

📢 Episode 3 of SARIC Podcast Series is live!

Episode 3 of the SARIC Podcast Series takes a deep dive into the importance of building an equitable and inclusive workforce, with a focus on the energy sector.

In this episode, we explore:

✔️ Comprehensive overview of the World Bank's South Asia Gender and Energy Facility Assessment on the status of women in energy sector organisations and technical universities
✔️ Importance of diversifying the infrastructure workforce
✔️ The pivotal role that women play in driving innovation and sustainability within the electric mobility sector
✔️ The fascinating involvement of indigenous communities in shaping the design and direction of infrastructure initiatives

Our esteemed experts, Gunjan Gautam, Professor Alison Page, and Aparna Vijaykumar, Anu Mundkur and Ruth Lancaster share their insights and perspectives on the imperative of cultivating an equitable and inclusive infrastructure workforce.

🎙️ Tune in on this link (https://www.sarictns.org/episode/building-an-equitable-and-inclusive-infrastructure-workforce/) to gain a deeper understanding of how these interconnected themes contribute to a more equitable future in the realm of infrastructure development.

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Palladium: Make It Possible World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation

13/09/2023

SARIC supports WePower-SAR100- a technical training program for 100 Women Energy Professionals in South Asia.

Anchored by the Asian Institute of Technology, in partnership with regional training institutes, SAR-100 aims to build the technical capacity of women professionals in the energy sector. The curriculum emphasizes on the following aspects-

✔️ Operating integrated power systems with renewables like hydropower
✔️ Power markets for regional integration and renewable scaling, including hydropower
✔️ Soft skills to promote gender awareness, mitigate bias, and to enhance everyday leadership

More women, more voices, more power!

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Palladium: Make It Possible World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation

25/08/2023

RFT Release:

SARIC is now inviting applications from organizations specializing in for a short-term training program on ‘Road Safety Management- South Asia’.

This is a unique opportunity for training organizations to demonstrate their expertise in educating and empowering senior professionals engaged in the field of across

Let’s empower the future of Infrastructure in South Asia together! Put forward your response to the RFT latest by 25 Sept 2023.

To know more, please visit the link- https://thepalladiumgroup.com/tender/Road-Safety-Management-Training---South-Asia


Palladium: Make It Possible Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation

Palladium is managing the Training and Networking Services (TNS) for an Australian Government funded project- South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) from 2022 to 2025 through a series of short-term training and networking events.

18/08/2023

📢 Large Systems Training Program Announcement Post

SARIC, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia is supporting Large Systems Training Program, a technical training for 100 Women Energy Professionals in South Asia (WePower-SAR100).

The program aims to support the technical capacity building of women professionals, thereby contributing to gender equity in the SAR energy sector.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as the anchor and coordination hub collaborates with regional training institutes for the design and delivery of the Large Systems Training Program.

The program comprises 10 modules that will be delivered in hybrid mode over 6-8 months. Further, all the modules are contextualized to climate change and net zero goals of the region. The participants will attend a capstone event at AIT, Bangkok at the end of the training program.

🤝🏽 Through the training, a region-wide community of women leaders in the energy sector, linked by a common understanding of energy imperatives and armed with shared perceptions and skills, will be fostered.

To know more about the Program, click on the following links:
- https://www.sar100-yca-asia.com/overview
- https://www.sarictns.org/training/large-systems-training-program/

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Palladium: Make It Possible World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Asian Institute of Technology

Faiz H. Shah Shivani Manaktala Farheen Khurrum Supreet Khosla Subhalaxmi Borah Piyush Mohanty Abhirup Bhunia Manish Srivastava Sandeep Lanjewar

The objective of the program is to support the technical capacity building of women to help their careers in the SAR energy sector. The outcomes of the project will benefit mid-career women engineering/technical professionals working in the South Asia region. This training will deliver two sets of a...

18/08/2023

📢 Large Systems Training Program Announcement Post

SARIC, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia is supporting Large Systems Training Program, a technical training for 100 Women Energy Professionals in South Asia (WePower-SAR100).

The program aims to support the technical capacity building of women professionals, thereby contributing to gender equity in the SAR energy sector.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as the anchor and coordination hub collaborates with regional training institutes for the design and delivery of the Large Systems Training Program.

The program comprises 10 modules that will be delivered in hybrid mode over 6-8 months. Further, all the modules are contextualized to climate change and net zero goals of the region. The participants will attend a capstone event at AIT, Bangkok at the end of the training program.

🤝🏽 Through the training, a region-wide community of women leaders in the energy sector, linked by a common understanding of energy imperatives and armed with shared perceptions and skills, will be fostered.

To know more about the Program, click on the following links:
- https://www.sar100-yca-asia.com/overview
- https://www.sarictns.org/training/large-systems-training-program/

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Palladium: Make It Possible World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation Asian Institute of Technology

Faiz H. Shah Shivani Manaktala Farheen Khurrum Supreet Khosla Subhalaxmi Borah Piyush Mohanty Abhirup Bhunia Manish Srivastava Sandeep Lanjewar

WePOWER SAR100 is a series of trainings for women professionals in the energy sector from the Southeast Asia region (SAR).  It is a collaborative regional effort that will upgrade skillsets and build gender diversity in a key development sector. SAR100 is offered as part of the South Asia Regional ...

16/08/2023

🎤 Join us for the second episode of SARIC Podcast series titled, ‘Talking about Disability Inclusion’ where we unpack elements of what disability inclusive infrastructure means and why it is important.

In this episode, Ruth Lancaster and Dr Anu Mundkur engage in a candid discussion with Dr Shivani Gupta (Global Disability Innovation Hub) and Tammy McGown (MAVEN, Palladium) who are experts in the sector with lived disabilities.

The episode delves on
✅ What is universal design infrastructure
✅ How does inclusive infrastructure contribute to greater social inclusion and participation
✅ What are the barriers to inclusive environments

🔗 Tune in on the link available here (https://www.sarictns.org/episode/talking-about-disability-inclusion/) and gain valuable insights into the intersection of disability, infrastructure, and finance.

Look forward to hearing your comments!

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This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

09/08/2023

🎙️ Join us for the first episode of the SARIC Podcast Series, titled 'Gender Matters in Infrastructure', where we delve into a crucial conversation about gender-inclusive infrastructure financing and development.

In this episode, Ruth Lancaster (Co-founder/ Director, Equalis) and Dr Anu Mundkur (Author and Thought Leader) engage in a compelling discussion with Philip Martin, Head of Impact & Safeguards for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) about why it is imperative to think about gender-inclusive infrastructure financing and development.

Philip Martin brings his expertise to the forefront as we explore:
✅ The significance of gender-inclusive approaches in infrastructure financing
✅ How gender considerations can enhance the development of sustainable projects
✅ Real-world examples of successful gender-responsive initiatives

Tune in on the links available on https://www.sarictns.org/episode/gender-matters-in-infrastructure/ and gain valuable insights into the intersection of gender, infrastructure, and finance.

Look forward to hearing your comments!

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Palladium: Make It Possible IFC - International Finance Corporation

Shivani Manaktala Supreet Khosla Farheen Lalarukh Khurrum Subhalaxmi Borah Abhirup Bhunia Piyusha Mohanty Manish Srivastava

In this episode, Ruth and Anu talk with Philip Martin, Head of Impact & Safeguards for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) about why we need to think about gender-inclusive infrastructure financing and development.

28/07/2023

28/07/2023

🎙️ We are happy to bring you our first Episode of Gender and Social Matters in Infrastructure from SARIC Podcast Series.

In this series, we bring together experts from the sector who share their practical experience, experiential learning and wealth of knowledge on a theme which cuts across countries, regions, government & private sector priorities.

The podcast format is conversational with experts participating from across the world and available on all major platforms.

Spotify Link for the first episode- https://lnkd.in/dh7eUgGV

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Palladium: Make It Possible

Farheen Khurrum Shivani Manaktala Supreet Khosla Subhalaxmi Borah Piyush Mohanty manish srivastava