The UNZA IWRM Centre was established as part of the Water Sector Support programme developed by Ministry of Energy and Water Development (MEWD) in collaboration with Royal Danish Embassy (RDE), assisted by consultants, on the basis of the “Identification and Preparation Study of Support to Water Resources Management” carried out in November 2004, and a series of discussions, consultations and workshops, which have been carried out under the Preparatory Water Sector Programme Support (PWSPS) from June 2004 through June 2005.
Mission and Vision
The University of Zambia (UNZA) Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Centre was established in line with the University of Zambia’s motto of “SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE” guided by University’s development Mission of “a centre of excellence in higher education for individuals, industry, and society through the provision of quality education, research, and scholarly programmes for strategic human resource development, to promote national and regional development, through relevant and appropriate partnerships”. The Center’s Vision is to advance and implement IWRM interventions in Zambia and the region, through education and training, advanced research and consultancy services for a sustainable water sector performance. This vision is anchored on UNZA's strategic vision and mission, and guided by Zambia’s 2030 Vision of a middle-income country by 2030. With water as a catalyst of social and economic development, the vision can be achieved through IWRM interventions, which are enshrined in the National Water Policy (2024) and Water Act (2011). This means human and infrastructure development through education and research will continue.
Objectives
The primary goal of the Centre’s programme is to enhance capacity in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Zambia, emphasizing surface and groundwater resources. This involves techniques such as assessments, quantifications, quality analysis, and modeling, including the use of remote sensing and GIS. Additionally, the program aims to enhance the performance of the water sector and promote sustainable management of water resources through human resource development and capacity building.
Specific objectives include:
- To contribute to capacity building (human resource development, institutional strengthening, and policy reform) in the water sector.
- To promote and undertake the training of water sector personnel & trainers in technical, managerial, economic & social issues to increase performance and productivity.
- To develop an independent advisory service to government, local authorities, the private sector & international organizations in the management of water and environment.
- To develop an information support service for information pertaining to Integrated Water Resource Management & Geological services.
- To promote and undertake applied research in the workplace and at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the area of IWRM and Environment
Organogram
Principal staff members.
Because of the cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary nature of IWRM, Staff of the Centre are drawn across 10 schools of the University of Zambia which includes: School of Engineering, Applied Natural Sciences, Mines, Agricultural Sciences, Health Sciences, Public Health, Law, Medicine, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, as shown in the organogram below
