Leiden University will set up further activities with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). President of the Executive Board Annetje Ottow and Zweta Manggarani, Academic Director of the Leiden Jakarta Office, recently visited the regional development bank in Manila. A memorandum of understanding on a partnership was signed last year.
The development bank invests some $24 billion a year in the region, focusing on climate and poverty reduction. Essential to ADB's modus operandi is an integrated approach to complex challenges, which was emphasised during the meeting between Annetje Ottow and Masatsugu Asakawa, ADB's President. Indeed, the interdisciplinary approach in Leiden, and the involvement of Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Universities (LDE) fit well with this approach.
Indonesia's new capital
A striking example of this integrated approach involving both Leiden and ADB is the development of Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara. A consortium of LDE and five Indonesian universities are working together to develop urban biodiversity, among other things. The ADB will be one of the investors in the new capital.
During her visit to Manila, Annetje Ottow also addressed the ADB Clean Energy Forum 2024 on the role of universities in energy transition.
International networks
For Leiden University, the ADB is a strategic and prestigious partner in Asia to jointly further develop and apply knowledge and education, and to expand its international networks in the region. The collaboration with ADB, and ADB member countries, offers a unique opportunity to work with ADB country experts on concrete problems and solutions. Leiden University is one of the few universities, and the only European one , with which ADB links institutionally.
Leiden Scientist in Residence
The week before Annetje Ottow's visit, Professor of Industrial Ecology Arnold Tukker was already a guest at the ADB as Leiden Scientist in Residence. Tukker spoke to various sections of the development bank about circular economy, biodiversity and waste policy. The next Leiden Scientist in Residence is Bart Barendregt, professor of Anthropology of Digital Diversity. He will speak to the ADB on urbanisation and digitalisation this October.
