Capacity Building Program in Integrated Water Resources Management

United Nations University Diploma

in

Integrated Water Resources Management

Introduction

The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health  (UNU-INWEH) in partnership with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has developed a distance learning program in Integrated Water Resources Management.  The long-term goal of the Water Learning Centre (WLC) (formerly Water Virtual Learning Centre) is to enhance national capacities for the development and implementation of sustainable water strategies in developing countries, at local, regional, sub-regional and basin scales.  The program is directed to practicing professionals in the water sector wishing to upgrade their knowledge of modern water management concepts and practices.

The WLC promotes sustainable water management through a core curriculum on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) that offers opportunities for continuing education and skills upgrading.  This training and capacity-development programme is administered and executed via a regional network of training institutions and universities, supported by a core Website, which collectively serve as a “virtual” learning centre.

The curriculum offers broad-based coverage of the principles and practices of IWRM, providing the students with core knowledge in the natural sciences, engineering, health, governance, public administration, social sciences, economics, resource conservation, strategic planning, as well as aspects of program and project management. The curriculum consists of 10 courses of 25 teaching hours equivalent per course with tutorial and case study material along with independent work assignments and examinations. A UNU diploma is granted after the completion of all ten courses.

For more information, please contact the UN Water Learning Center coordinator, Furqan Asif: furqan.asif@unu.edu

Implementation Through Regional Centres

The curriculum is disseminated through a global network of Regional Centres (RC), which is critical to the success of the programme.  The RCs serve as teaching and resource centres for the program.  They also function as examination centres.  Where possible, live course presentations are given to small groups, especially for the first (introductory) and final (laboratory-style, tutorial) courses.  The host institution’s involvement and interest in the development, delivery and continuation of the programme are crucial to the success of the program.

Current Regional Centres

1. Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, supported by UN Development (supported by UN Development Account via UN-DESA)

 

Regional Coordinator: Mukand Babel, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Water Engineering Management

 

Contact: wvlc@ait.ac.th

 

2. Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain (supported by Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development)

Regional Coordinator: Prof. Waleed K. Al-Zubari, Dean of College of Graduate Studies, Coordinator, Water Resources Management Program

Contact: waleed@agu.edu.bh

3. University of Nairobi, Kenya (supported by AGFUND)

Regional Coordinator: Prof. Eric Odada, Professor of Geology and Director, African Collaborative Centre for Earth System Science

Contact: eodada@uonbi.ac.ke

4. CATHALAC, Panama (courses also offered in Spanish, see news release)

Regional Coordinator: Osvaldo Jordan, Academic Advisor

Contact: osvaldo.jordan@cathalac.org