ISF researchers shared their expertise with a group of Indian senior-level career officials via a short course learning experience in Sydney and Adelaide.
The UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) helps address today's sustainability challenges through learning at an enterprise level. This aim was showcased recently through the delivery of a short learning experience.
ISF was commissioned by Scope Global, acting on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), to develop and deliver a two-week short course in Australia in late October/early November 2023.
ISF welcomed senior government officials from India to participate in a short course titled ‘Supporting Water Security, Resilience and Transitioning to Circular Cities in India with Climate Resilient Water Resources Management'. The course fostered an invaluable knowledge exchange and created the opportunity for collaboration between Indian and Australian experts in water and circular economy.
The course was delivered to 15 senior-level career officials from national Indian government agencies and senior industry practitioners.
The experience helped equip participants with an understanding of circular economy principles for water security, wastewater, and groundwater management.
One of the leads of the course, ISF Research Principal Melita Jazbec said, “This short course was a great opportunity to network and share our research with such an enthusiastic and influential group of Indian policy makers.”
This study tour helps a lot in understanding various new things related to treatment technology, circular economy aspect, climate risk, which I can implement in my organisation.
– Short course participant
The course not only exposed participants to circular economy theories and concepts, but also included engaging ways to understand their practical application through case studies, site visits and discussions to apply learnings to their real work responsibilities.
The group receiving a tour through one of the Sydney Water recycled water plant sites.
One participant said, “This study tour helps a lot in understanding various new things related to treatment technology, circular economy aspect, climate risk, which I can implement in my organisation.”
Across Sydney and Adelaide, the delegation visited several sites to see Australian circular water initiatives in operation.
In Sydney, the team visited Sydney Water sites in Orchards Hill and Quakers Hill. Here the team were given tours through the respective filtration and recycled water plants and participated in engaging workshops from guest presenters.
The delegation also travelled to Adelaide where they learnt about South Australia’s water resources and management. The Adelaide visit continued to build upon modules on groundwater management and treatment and visited wastewater treatment sites including the SA Water Headquarters and the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant.
There was very positive feedback from the participants about the experience.
One participant said, “This course was fantastic, the content was very educative and focused, all the logistics arrangements were managed very well. Good investment of my time.”
This course introduced a system thinking approach and recognition of the need for cross-sectoral collaboration, essential in successful circular economy applications.