Genesis of Water Institute

The Water Institute - a Centre of Excellence of Karunya University (KU) came into existence in August 2008. It was the fulfillment of the vision of the Founders of the University to make use of science and technology to address basic social issues, especially those pertaining to livelihood. The Institute is perhaps the first of its kind to be started in a university in India to address the multifarious functions associated with the water sector: academic programmes, R&D, extension, consultancy and collaborative research.

The inter-disciplinary research activities have already been initiated in the Institute under the guidance of its Director Dr E J James, formerly Scientist-G and Executive Director, Center for Water Resources Development and Management (Calicut). Seven PhD scholars, who have done their Masters in IITs /NITs and universities abroad, have already come forward to pursue their doctoral programme in the Institute.

The Institute has already started a unique postgraduate course in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) for graduates in engineering and postgraduates in science. Another M.Tech. course in Hydrogeology and Water Management is proposed for postgraduates in geology.

The R&D projects initiated by the Institute include: management of Point Calimere wetland in relation to its drainage basins; application of isotopes to understand the recharge of ground water due to the tanks in semi-arid zone; water treatment through an integrated approach using electrodialysis, electrocoagulation, capacitated deionization and microbial techniques; and sustainable natural resources management for the livelihood of tribals of western ghats. Another project to evolve a model for the sustainable development of urban areas with small manufacturing units in South Asia is being formulated jointly with the RWTH Aachen University, Germany, with which Karunya University has entered into a MoU.

A MOU has already been signed between KU and Jacob Blastein Desert Research Institute, Israel for collaborative research on the water problems of arid and semi-arid regions. One of the faculty members of the Institute has done her post-doctoral work in Aachen University. Two of the M.Tech students had their internship abroad and three more are going abroad for their internship under IAESTE. Professors from institutions of repute from India and abroad are serving as Visiting Professors at the Water Institute. Prof. Yoram Oren of Ben-Gurion University of Israel and Prof. Gunnar Jacks of KTH, Sweeden are some of our visiting faculty.

As part of the extension activities of the Institute, two projects, namely Project AQUA and Project CLEANLINESS have been launched.

Our goal is to provide water security to all especially to those in the arid / semi-arid zones.