The Water Virtual Learning Centre Website

UNU/INWEH has joined with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) to develop an Internet-based "Virtual Learning Center for Water" (WVLC).  This initiative provides distance learning opportunities and information on best water management practices for developing countries.  The intent of the WVLC Program is to provide adult (remedial) training in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), through a core curriculum in distance learning.  The program is intended as a specialized, undergraduate-level program for individuals, usually with undergraduate degrees, but with little or no previous training in the IWRM-related aspects of environmental engineering, natural science and social science.  Other individuals may take the courses as part of a self-directed learning experience. 

 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.  Students will be exposed to alternative approaches to issue management and programmatic responses.  Integration within the program is reinforced by reference to the UNU/INWEH “Four Pillars” framework for capacity development and to other key integrative themes.

 The curriculum is CD-ROM based and Internet-supported.  It consists of 10 courses, totaling approximately 250 learning hours.  A UNU “Diploma in Integrated Water Resources Management” will be given on successful completion of the entire program. The Rector and Governing Council of UNU have approved the creation and presentation of the UNU Diploma to program graduates, the first offered in the history of UNU.

 The WVLC curriculum will be available starting in 2004.  The developmental pilot program has been conducted in Canada and involved Canadian-based African and Asian students, supported by key course developers. A complete survey of the 28 student participants attending the sessions has been administered and analysed and this feedback will be used to finalize the program for its initial offering during 2004.

 The curriculum includes:

 Course #1: An Introduction to Integrated Water Resources Management

This course provides a basic introduction to the fundamental concepts, techniques and knowledge required to understand and manage water resources. Students will gain an overview of the more detailed information presented in subsequent courses.

 Course #2: Water Transfer

The course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the hydrologic cycle; processes and measurements; the factors affecting movement and behaviour in terrestrial, riparian and lacustrine environments; surface and groundwater environments; the watershed concept and; the impacts of weather and climate.

 Course #3: The Terrestrial Ecosystem and the Impacts of Land Use Changes

This course will introduce the student to fundamental ecological concepts; the role of the natural environment in the hydrologic cycle; the effects of changes in land use on water processes; the impacts of water on land; tools of watershed analysis; aspects of land use planning, control and conservation.

 Course #4: The Aquatic Ecosystem

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the physical, chemical, biological and ecological aspects of streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and groundwater systems.

 Course #5: Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Impact Assessment

This course builds directly on the knowledge gained in the previous course to examine the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the aquatic environment and the methods of measuring those impacts.

 Course #6: Water Use

This course examines the various direct anthropogenic uses of water and the many impacts of such uses.  In addition, the course examines human consumption of water and aspects of public water supply.

 Course #7: Wastewater

This course examines in detail the problems resulting from point and non-point discharges; waste treatment processes; best management practices, monitoring and assessment approaches and; urban versus rural environments.

 Course #8: Governance and Community Based Approaches:

  This course is designed to introduce the concepts and practices of community based water resources management; domestic and international governance, community involvement and gender issues.

 Course #9: Organizational Infrastructure and Management:  

This course examines the issues, concerns and the various approaches to finance, budget, infrastructure, management and planning, as well as public health administration and project management.

 Course #10: Applying Integrated Water Resources Management:  

Customized case studies, practical illustrations of the concepts and procedures of IWRM, and investigative techniques for students to assess their own IWRM needs, conducted in tutorial format.

 Collaboration on curriculum development has thus far involved over 60 academics and professionals from a wide range of organizations worldwide, including:

 Regional WVLC Training Centres will be established, in concert with regional partners, to serve as teaching and resource centres for the program. The initiative will rely primarily on the technical capacity of the regional partner.  Where possible, live course presentations will be given to small groups, especially for the first (introductory) and final (laboratory-style, tutorial) courses.  They will also function as examination centres and provide training on personal computer use.

 Computer servers and other technical support will be provided to Regional Centres to service remote course participants through the Internet.  The resident servers will also act as “WVLC regional Web sites” and as “shadow” replicates of the core server.  As such, they will receive updates of course materials in the classroom environment, serve as software repositories and provide conferencing, e-mail and “web-board” facilities for course participants and instructors.  Depending on the capabilities and available technology in the Regional Centres, video conferencing, "white-board" interaction and other on-line facilities could also be provided to participants.

 To assist local personnel with teaching and mentoring duties, a cadre of experts from the Regional Centres, DESA, UNU and other agencies will be organized and made available as required.  Initially, they will assist with the actual teaching duties (training trainers) and eventually serve as remote “resource people” for course participants. Most of their ongoing interaction will be through e-mail and conferencing systems.

 The WVLC project will provide capacity building beyond its educational component.  It will assist agencies to identify training needs and deficiencies in organizational expertise.  Furthermore, the establishment of WVLC training nodes at INWEH’s centres of excellence and elsewhere will provide regional focal points for aquatic research and education.  This, in turn, will attract and expand local expertise in the water sector, increase international scientific exchange and provide a resident focal point for science-policy advice.

 Over time, UNU/INWEH’s distance education program will also offer training courses for water specialists, as well as short courses for non-water professionals.  Existing courses from INWEH’s partners will be used where possible, with appropriate regional customization.  Examples include courses on drinking water contamination, hydrology, decision support technologies and water governance.  Support and outreach will be provided through our partnerships with water information and training networks, in particular the GWP, UNDP/CAPNET, WATERNET in southern Africa, AWARENET in the Middle East and The UN Water, Education and Training Support Group (WET). 

 To ensure curriculum quality and balance, an International Advisory Committee of eminent water academics has been established and has approved the framework organization of the WVLC.  The committee membership is as follows: