Pretoria – An agreement, which will enhance the training of hydrologists, is expected to build capacity for the future on water issues.
A hydrologist is a person that studies the management and sustainability of water resources.
The Department of Water Affairs and Water Research Commission (WRC) signed a UNESCO - sponsored Memorandum of Agreement on Wednesday to enhance the training of hydrologists.
The agreement by Water Affairs’ Acting Director-General, Trevor Balzer, and CEO of WRC, Dr Dhesigen Naidoo, means that WRC will be an implementing agent and take charge of the programme through the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
WRC will manage, implement, coordinate and maintain the programme on behalf of the department and act as the Secretariat of the South African National Committee for UNESCO International Hydraulogical Programme and related supporting activities.
Naidoo hailed the programme as a milestone in the capacity development of young and aspirant hydrologists. He described the programme as an investment in the future of South Africa, adding that it will put paid to the lack of professional hydrologists in the country.
He noted that significant implementation challenges have been created by the national water policy and legislation in South Africa for the necessary expertise in water resource management.
“Overarching skills such as integration is largely lacking in South Africa mainly because the water resources have been developed in the past without adequate consideration of the integrated management and sustainability of the water resource.”
Balzer said one of the most comprehensive training and capacity needed audit undertaken was conducted in 1998 by an expert team from the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation and the World Meteorological Organisation.
“They assessed the existing research education, training and capacity in the water sector in South Africa and compared it with the research education, training and capacity needs for water resource management in South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
