A Symposium on Water: Issues, Research & Solutions was organized at the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) to develop collaboration between MRIIRS and the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.
Several eminent water and environment experts from various Universities, NGOs, Corporate Sector and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) lent their expertise to the Symposium. MRIIRS and UWE are long-standing knowledge partners.
The gathering comprised of Ram Boojh from UNESCO; Prof. D.C. Singhal, IIT Roorkee; Dr. D K Chadha, Chair Professor, CAWTM, MRIIRS; Dr. A. Keshari, IIT Delhi, Dr. Shashank Shekhar, Delhi University; Prof. Saumitra Mukherjee, JNU; Dr. Arun Kansal, TERI University; K.B. Biswas, Former Chairman, CGWB; J.K. Bhalla, Adviser, GHS; Sanjay Rana, CEO, Aqua Foundation; Dr. O.P. Sharma, Water Harvest; experts from Central Ground Water Board; CSR teams from Maruti, Cairn India, Maharani Innovative Paint, Amba Engineering and professionals from other government and non-government organizations.
The experts shared their work during six plenary sessions:
- Regeneration of catchments- Watershed Management: New & Traditional Practices
- Technical Interventions for Waste water & Saline Ground Water Management
- Possibilities of Capacity building & Training in Water
- Urban Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
- Role of NGOs in water security/water body restoration
- Importance of R&D in water security.
This symposium was in line of India UK scientific collaboration proposed in various international forums by India and UK and will take forward strategic partnership, connection and networking in achieving specified outcome in the water and environmental sector.
On this occasion, an ‘Information Desk’ about the programs, projects and research opportunities offered by UWE has been incorporated in the Admissions Cell at Manav Rachna, which was inaugurated by Prof Jane Harrington, Deputy Vice Chancellor, UWE in the presence of Prof Paul Olomolaiye, PVC and Executive Dean, Faculty of Environment and Technology, UWE; Prof Ray Priest, Director International Asia-Pacific; Prof Chad Staddon, Professor of Water Research, UWE; Dr. Anil Kashyap, HOD, Geography and Environmental Management; Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, MREI; Padmashri Prof. Dr. Pritam Singh, Honorary Director General, MREI; Dr. N. C. Wadhwa, Vice Chancellor, MRIIRS, and other senior dignitaries and faculties from MREI.
