Capacity Building
The UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM), hosted by the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, is a regional centre of excellence dedicated to promoting sustainable water management through a three-pillar approach: cutting-edge technology and knowledge dissemination, industry-oriented capacity building, and pioneering research.
With growing challenges such as climate variability, urban expansion, water pollution, and transboundary water stress affecting the region, UMCSAWM places a strong emphasis on building human and institutional capacity to respond to these challenges. The Centre views capacity building not merely as knowledge transfer but as an enabler of long-term impact, empowering professionals, researchers, and policymakers to co-develop innovative, context-specific solutions. Drawing strength from the academic foundation of the University of Moratuwa and an expanding network of national and international partners, UMCSAWM has delivered a wide array of practical, hands-on learning experiences through workshops, short courses, field training, and technical sessions focusing on real-world relevance.
Capacity-building efforts at UMCSAWM are distinguished by their commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and innovation, where all training initiatives are shaped in consultation with industry professionals, government agencies, and development partners to ensure alignment with sectoral needs and current challenges. Moreover, UMCSAWM’s regional mandate allows it to convene diverse groups from across South Asia, including participants from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, encouraging dialogue, peer learning, and regional cooperation. UMCSAWM sees capacity building as a continuous journey, supported by mentoring, follow-up collaboration, and joint research.
A Two-day Training Workshop on the Application of the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) for Watershed Modelling at the UMCSAWM
The two-day training workshop on the Application of the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) for Watershed Modelling was held on January 23rd and 24th, 2025, at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM), University of Moratuwa. The workshop brought together water professionals from esteemed organisations such as the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL), Water Management Secretariat (WMS), Ministry of Irrigation, Irrigation Department, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, and the Ceylon Electricity Board.
Organized under the Integrated Watershed & Water Resources Management Project (IWWRMP) of MASL and funded by the World Bank, the event provided participants with an in-depth understanding of basin rainfall-runoff modelling procedures. Participants also gained hands-on experience in hydrological simulations, enhancing their skills for effective water resources planning and disaster management. The two-day workshop was expertly conducted by the dedicated staff of UMCSAWM and the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Moratuwa. Through hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and insightful discussions, attendees learned advanced hydrological modelling techniques and watershed analysis that are crucial for sustainable water management.
Industry Engagement Session with MIKE India on Software Advancements and Collaboration Opportunities
On December 3rd, 2024, the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM) welcomed Mr. Abhilash Ajaykumar from MIKE India to the University of Moratuwa for a focused session aimed at strengthening academia-industry collaboration. During his visit, Mr. Ajaykumar introduced the latest version of the MIKE software suite, showcasing its enhanced capabilities in hydrological and hydraulic modeling for water resource management. The session served as a platform to discuss future partnerships, including student licensing opportunities, joint training initiatives, and the development of knowledge-sharing mechanisms between UMCSAWM and MIKE India. An interactive Q&A session followed, where participants explored practical applications of the software in ongoing research and project work. This engagement marked a promising step towards long-term collaboration, reinforcing UMCSAWM’s commitment to connecting cutting-edge technology with academic excellence. January 23rd and 24th, 2025, at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM), University of Moratuwa. The workshop brought together water professionals from esteemed organisations such as the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL), Water Management Secretariat (WMS), Ministry of Irrigation, Irrigation Department, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, and the Ceylon Electricity Board.
Joint Workshop on River Basin Modelling using SWAT – UMCSAWM, ATKINS, and CRIP Collaboration
On January 26th and 27th, 2019, the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM), in collaboration with ATKINS and CRIP, hosted a two-day workshop titled “Introduction to River Basin Modelling using SWAT for Basin-wide Water Resources Management” at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. This intensive training program was designed for river modelers, engineers, postgraduate students, researchers, and academics with a keen interest in integrated basin-scale modeling. The workshop introduced participants to the core concepts and practical applications of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), an essential tool in hydrological modeling and watershed-scale water resources planning. With active participation from 25 attendees, the sessions focused on real-world challenges, case studies, and hands-on exercises, enabling participants to build capacity in data handling, model setup, and scenario-based water resource management. The event fostered valuable knowledge exchange and laid the groundwork for future collaborations in advancing data-driven decision-making in river basin management.
Workshop on Modelling River Flow and Morphodynamics using the IRIC Interface
On September 1st and 2nd, 2016, the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM) organized a specialized workshop titled “Introduction to Modelling River Flow and Morphodynamics within the IRIC Interface” at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Designed for river modelers, engineers, postgraduate students, researchers, and academics, the event attracted a strong turnout of 38 participants, including both current and former students. The workshop provided hands-on training in the use of the International River Interface Cooperative (IRIC) software suite, which enables 2D river flow and sediment transport modeling through a user-friendly platform. Participants were introduced to the theoretical foundations of river morphodynamics and guided through practical sessions involving model setup, calibration, and simulation. The event not only enhanced the technical competencies of attendees but also contributed to a growing community of practice in river modeling and sediment dynamics within Sri Lanka and the wider region.
