WHY UNIVERSITY-BASED WATER INSTITUTES?

Abstract

A university-based water institute can play a vital role in the research into and management of Canada’s water resources. It can draw upon the expertise of academics in many disciplines and it is imperative that water research be multi-disciplinary in nature. It is an added advantage if the institute has members from several universities, since often not all the expertise necessary to solve water problems is available at one university. In a university setting, a multi-disciplinary education can be provided to future aquatic scientists and managers.Also, in a university setting, water workshops and conferences involving government agencies and local citizens groups can be held in a non-adversarial environment. Case studies from The Great Lakes Institute (University of Windsor) and The Water Network (Universities of Waterloo, Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier and Western Ontario) will be cited.