The Australia India Water Centre (AIWC) is a virtual joint centre established by a consortium of Australian and Indian universities, research institutions and water businesses to promote cooperation and collaboration in water research, education, training and capacity building. The Centre will provide a platform for long-term partnerships and dialogue between Australian and Indian water researchers, policy-makers, industry partners and non-governmental organisations to work together for a common goal, ‘UN SDG 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all’.
The Centre is focussed on collaboration in transdisciplinary research, capacity building and knowledge and technology transfer, particularly on aspects of water and food security, safe drinking water supplies, river health, water-energy-food nexus, water for liveable cities and other related facets of mutual benefits to Australia and India through the following key activities:
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Develop tools and techniques for improving management of surface and groundwater resources (including springs, stormwater, wetlands, lakes and coastal reservoirs), water policy and governance and resilience and adaptation to climate change, while supporting the water missions and initiatives of the two countries;
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Establish a joint online master’s program in ‘Transdisciplinary Water Resources Management’;
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Conduct capacity building and training programs for government department staff, policy makers, students, NGOs and industry personnel through short courses, workshops, conferences and webinars;
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Promote transdisciplinary research, socio-economic and cultural aspects, woman empowerment, citizen science and community engagement in water resources management; and
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Support water expertise of the Centre partners for international engagement, networking and people-to-people contacts.
