New Hydro Nation International Fellows Programme launched in India

“We hope this initiative will help improve the lives of people in India, and enhance the spirit of collaboration that our countries have enjoyed for so long.

As part of the Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation International Programme, which promotes Scotland’s response to key global water challenges, The Scottish Government and The Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) have announced the launch of the new Hydro Nation International Fellows Programme at a meeting this week in Delhi, India.

The new International Fellows Programme will build on the ongoing success of the Hydro Nation Scholars Programme, managed by CREW, which provides high-quality Ph.D. training to deliver the water leaders of the future, bridge gaps in global water knowledge and enhance Scottish capacity in areas of existing research excellence.

Recognising the established historical, cultural and scientific links between the two countries, and the particular challenges in water resource management faced by India, the first Hydro Nation International Fellow will be appointed in a collaboration involving the Indian Institute of Science, with the overall aim of developing approaches to source protection and resource recovery

Speaking from Delhi, Professor Bob Ferrier, Director of Research Impact at the James Hutton Institute and Director of CREW commented: “The Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation strategy promotes the importance and value of water within Scotland’s national and international identity.  It recognises the particular strengths in research excellence Scotland has in the management of water resources and Scotland’s desire to make a meaningful response to some of the world’s most pressing water challenges.

“India is the natural and obvious choice of partner for this exciting new initiative given the long-standing relationship and history of cooperation between our countries.  The significant water challenges identified by the Indian Government highlight the need for targeted research and knowledge exchange in a number of areas where we believe Scotland can make a contribution.

“We hope this initiative will help improve the lives of people in India, and enhance the spirit of collaboration that our countries have enjoyed for so long.”