The WaterWays Centre for Freshwater Management was established in 2009 as a joint partnership between Canterbury and Lincoln Universities. It is the first such centre to be established by any New Zealand universities.
The WaterWays Centre is headed by Professor Jenny Webster-Brown
The Centre will be the critical link in providing improved teaching and associated research in water resource management, working alongside existing water organisations, stakeholders, government, and industry to gain valuable input and viewpoints. To augment teaching capability that can address issues of sustainable water management and provide a solid footing for NZ to maximise its sustainable use of water resources and contribute greater benefit to the national economy, tertiary sector engaged with its stakeholders and the community at large. Develop and expand a better qualified workforce of water professionals, providing the water sector with a stronger ability to innovate, coordinate, adapt and manage future water problem
The Centre is the outcome of consultation with Environment Canterbury, the Canterbury Development Corporation, the Canterbury Water Cluster (i.e. the major bodies involved in water resource management and research in the region), and the Department of Labour. The two Universities see the Centre as being the focal point for improving knowledge-driven water resource management in New Zealand. The Centre will be the critical link in providing improved teaching and associated research in water resources. It will serve the unique and ever increasing demands in Canterbury for improved water resource management, and as a national centre of educational excellence. The Centre will facilitate the education sector’s key role, alongside existing water organisations, in improving skills, knowledge, and awareness in the water sector. It will also encourage strong co-operation between the two universities to effect institutional change leading to better education outcomes for the country.
What are the potential impact/positive implications of the WaterWays centre research (for NZ and globally)?
Water resources and their management, is currently a topic that is high on both the National and International agenda for change. The Waterways Centre aims to serve the unique and ever increasing demands in New Zealand for improved water resource management. Sustainable management of water resources is an ever increasingly priority. At the heart of the concept of sustainable water resources development is the need to meet requirements of present generations without compromising the possibility of water sustainability for future generations. Understanding the quality and quantity of our water resources from multi aspects, covering all expanses of freshwater is of paramount importance for sustainable management. This understanding cannot be realised without a well educated and well informed workforce and public. Waterways will act as a national centre of excellence, being the focal point for improving knowledge driven water resource management in New Zealand.
Courses associated with water way management at Lincoln University.