In the midst of the dry season in Trinidad and Tobago, seventeen graduate students from the Master of Development Practice (MDP) program engaged themselves in understanding the real-life challenges of water management on the islands.
Embarking on February 16th for a six day experiential learning experience, MDP and several Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) students enrolled in course INDEV608, Water and Security, had the chance to apply theory to practice while collecting data for research. The trip was led by course instructor, Marie Claire Brisbois and co-led by MDP alumnus, Uzair Jaffer.
In Trinidad, the students had an in-depth look at municipal water purification during a visit to a major treatment facility. Additionally, they examined the inner-workings of an innovative commercial aquaponics farm, toured an agricultural field research station and consulted experts at the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at the University of West Indies on their respective research topics.
While in Tobago during the latter half of the trip, students were exposed to island-specific challenges in water resource management at another treatment facility and at a local office of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Lastly, students explored the intersection between water and tourism during an information session with the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association. Before and after each site visit, students reflected on what they had learned and critically analyzed observations.
Upon returning to Canada, participating students had a greater understanding of the following topics in relation to water in Trinidad and Tobago: sanitation and treatment, agriculture, sustainability, conservation, scarcity, tourism, and managing competing interests.
Field learning experiences like these are an integral part of the MDP program at the University of Waterloo, where students gain first-hand experience of integrated development approaches. To learn more, please visit the program’s official website.