WAPDA-NUST sign MoU for research in water management
Shares
LAHORE (APP): Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for mutual cooperation in conducting joint training and research for addressing water issues and quality challenges through improved governance and efficient management of water resources.
WAPDA Chairman Zafar Mahmood and NUST Rector Engineer Muhammad Asghar signed the MoU on behalf of their organizations. The major areas to be covered under the MoU include planning and implementation of joint applied research projects and activities, raising public awareness about water management issues, capacity building, sharing of information/data, exchange and training of scientific and technical personnel and internship of NUST students at WAPDA projects etc.
Addressing the ceremony, WAPDA Chairman said that WAPDA, besides engaging other stakeholders, has also been reaching out the academia in a bid to introduce efficient management of water resources and promote a culture of water conservation amongst the masses. He said that WAPDA had earlier signed three MoUs in this regard one each with Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, University of Agriculture Faisalabad and Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam.
Dilating upon the water issues in the country, he said that decreasing per capita availability of water due to rapid population growth, insufficient water storage capacity, water costing, lowering of aquifer because of un-regulated water pumping and wastage of water in municipal, industrial and agricultural sectors are the main problems confronting Pakistan.
There is a dire need to formulate a comprehensive strategy in collaboration with all stakeholders to address these issues, he added.
On this occasion, NUST Rector said that promoting the prudent and productive use of water in all walks of life is need of the hour.
He termed the signing of MoU between WAPDA and his university a good omen for water sector in the country, adding that their mutual cooperation will help promote improved governance and efficient management of water resources. He expressed the hope that both organizations will effectively work together in the areas identified in the MoU.
