K-water President Park Jae-hyeon and Chairman Huh Jae-young of the National Water Management Commission pose with other participants of the 1st AI & Big Data Forum, hosted by K-water. (Photo: K-water)

K-water struck an MOU to cooperate on a global knowledge exchange platform in the water sector with University of Seoul, KDI School of Public Policy and Management, KAIST ITTP and the UNESCO International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (i-WSSM).

The agreement, which came on July 8, is designed to solve global water issues by transferring the experiences and expertise Korea has accumulated in the water sector and the development of technologies to developing countries through mutual cooperation among signatories.

The global knowledge exchange platform in the water sector is being utilized as a window for institutions and experts to exchange knowledge and expertise related to the water sector.

Korea, the world’s first country to shift its status from an aid recipient to an aid donator, will share its experiences with developing countries via on- and off-line channels, and will help connect global cooperative projects.

The takeaways of the deal include the provision of opportunities to experience each institution’s specialized educational programs, such as lectures, practices, field studies and internships, cooperation; the development of joint educational programs utilizing each institution’s excellent manpower and cooperation in its operation; and opportunities of exchanges among trainees and officials in charge and the expanding of networks.

Institutions have shared the view that mutual cooperation is needed, while operating programs designed to ramp up manpower capabilities, such as master’s and doctorate courses targeting students of developing countries. The latest deal is expected to further spur cooperation among the institutions.

A combination of theory and academic knowledge, being offered by universities, and water management field education and working-level expertise are expected to have synergetic effects.

The agreement is expected to spur the development of collaboration programs among industry and academic circles tailored to meet university needs and the strengthening of practices through internships and networking and the building of human intelligence through exchanges of graduates of participating institutions.

In accordance with the agreement, officials from developing countries who study at University of Seoul are offered an opportunity to receive an internship at K-water and UNESCO i-WSSM and acquire related field expertise for three weeks from July 7.

K-water Shares Renewable Energy Technologies with Pakistan

K-water offers a global educational program on the application of renewable energy technologies targeting officials from Pakistan’s four institutions, including the office of Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) in cooperation with KOICA at K-water Human Development Institute from July 5 through July 16.

The global educational program is KOICA’s manpower development project, targeting officials and decision-makers of developing countries, designed to nurture manpower to lead their countries.

Starting with an educational program targeting water management officials of the Asia and Pacific region, conducted in 1997, K-water has aggressively participated in projects to spread expertise in water management, tap water and renewable energy to countries such as Asia, Africa and South America every year.