Water world

TERI University, based in New Delhi, is well known as a centre for creating thought leadership in the feild of sustainable development. This year, it has teamed up with the Coca-Cola Foundation to address a crucial lacunae in the management of India's water resources. The effective utilisation and conservation of water resources may be one of the most critical issues for India but there is a shocking lack of trained personnel to engage in long term planning.

In 2012, the National Water Policy, issued by the Union Ministry of Water Resources highlighted this as an area of concern, saying that the lack of 'adequate trained personnel for scientific planning, utilising modern techniques and analytical capabilities constrains good water management'. It points to the absence of a holistic approach toward water management and adds that public agencies responsible for making water-related decisions rarely consult with stakeholders, often resulting in poor and unreliable service.

It is to address this shortfall that TERI University, in association with the Coca Cola Foundation, has launched the Coca-Cola Department of Regional Water Studies. The department will examine water issues in an interdisciplinary framework, bringing in cultural, educational and scientific factors as well as religious, ethical, social, political, legal, institutional and economic dimensions towards a better, holistic approach to water management.

The programme aims to develop a cadre of young professionals who can scientifically manage water resources with new technology and can influence policy decisions. Some of the core courses that will be offered will include courses on water law and policy, water quality monitoring and assessment, water and sustainability science, water planning and management as well as water economics and financial management to water disasters: management and planning.

Depending on the candidate's area of study and degree type, specified courses that will be offered include courses on applied hydrology, industrial pollution control, water audit and demand management, wetland conservation and management, integrated watershed and river basin management etc.

Students can apply to either an MTech or an MSc two-year, full time degree programme in Water Science and Governance. In addition to the two year full time course, candidates will also have an option of registering for a one year PG Diploma programme or a six month certificate programme in either MTech or MSc. Applications for these programmes are now open and will be received at TERI University, 10 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi until 16 June 2014. The University will take in batch of 30 students to start with though it expects at least a 1,000 professionals to graduate from the department over the next ten years.

"India needs to urgently build the capacity to conserve, manage and efficiently utilise all its available water resources. Policies, regulatory frameworks, financial mechanisms, access and equity issues all have to be aligned to urgently reduce our water vulnerabilities while enhancing our food and energy security. The Coca Cola Department will strive to respond fully to these needs," Dr Leena Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor of TERI University said in a statement.

"For The Coca-Cola Company, water is central not just to our business, but to the societies in which we operate. As part of our global framework of sustainability, Coca-Cola places a high importance on water, women and wellbeing." said Asim Parekh, Vice President, Technical and Supply Chain, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia.

"We believe that through this partnership with TERI University, we can contribute to the creation of human resource capital in the area of water management as well as help in research and development on water management. We hope that this department will lead in the field of water governance. " he added.