Dr. Bruce MacVicar, Director Emeritus, Collaborative Water Program, and professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, introducing the keynote speaker at the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Collaborative Water Program.
On November 3, 2023, the Water Institute celebrated a special milestone marking the 10th Anniversary of the University of Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program (CWP)!
Established in 2013, this unique, interdisciplinary program has trained over 400 students during its first ten years, preparing them as future leaders in the water sector and beyond.
“The Collaborative Water Program has produced remarkably successful alumni who are tackling global water challenges head-on,” says Nandita Basu, Director of the Collaborative Water Program, Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences.
“One of the first interdisciplinary programs of its kind, the CWP’s reputation of excellence continues as it enters its second decade, preparing students with holistic perspectives essential for addressing increasingly complex water security challenges in Canada and around the world.”
Dr. Nandita Basu, Director, Collaborative Water Program, Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences.
A panel moderated by Dustin Garrick, Director Designate 2024-25, Collaborative Water Program, followed featuring alumni from early CWP cohorts now successful in a wide array of fields across Canada and the US.
Panelists included:
- Catherine Brown, Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, Ducks Unlimited
- Sabrina Bedjera, Policy Analyst, Natural Resources Canada
- Thadshayini Chandrakumaran, Associate Lawyer, Miller Thomson
- Frederick Cheng, Assistant Professor, University of Virginia
- Chris Muirhead, Water Resources Engineer, GHD
- Fabiola Alvarado-Revilla, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oxford
- Laina Timberg, Co-Founder and Co-President, North American Youth Parliament for Water
CWP Alumni from L to R: Frederick Cheng, Sabrina Bedjera, Fabiola Alvarado-Revilla, Laina Timberg, Chris Muirhead, Thadshayini Chandrakumaran, and moderator Dr. Dustin Garrick.
Sabrina Bedjera who joined the Collaborative Water Program in its third cohort remarked “I actually decided to come to the University of Waterloo because of the CWP. I focused on biology and math in undergraduate studies and was always really interested in connecting all of these disciplines together. I came across the CWP and said this is going to be the place that I’m going to do my Masters.”
Fabiola Alvarado-Revilla, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oxford shared a similar reflection saying “There are many universities that have professors working in water, but few where the university offers a cross-cutting program where you can learn from many different people.”
Tony Maas, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada delivered a keynote address sharing a few of his personal guiding principles and career reflections. Tony advised CWP students and alumni to “take some risks and remember that the journey is as important as the destination.”
Tony Maas, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.
Mark Servos, Director Emeritus, Collaborative Water Program, Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection, Department of Biology reflected on the inspiration for and development of the CWP. One of the key designers and early champion of the CWP, Dr. Servos noted the importance of students being exposed to the perspectives and contributions of other disciplines and learning how to work together collaboratively.
On behalf of the Water Institute, Dr. Servos announced the establishment of CWP Alumni Achievement program. This annual award will be presented to CWP alumni demonstrating excellence in their field and in community service. Dr. Maricor Arlos, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta was welcomed to the stage as the inaugural recipient of the CWP alumni achievement award. Stay tuned to WaterNews for a feature story on Maricor and details on the award program.
Dr. Mark Servos, Director Emeritus, Collaborative Water Program, professor, Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection, Department of Biology and Dr. Maricor Arlos, CWP Alumni Achievement Award winner 2022-23.
"This award is really, really special to me. I want to thank the Water Institute and the CWP. They built this truly unique program, and all of the teachings, beautiful learnings and knowledge, I still carry with me to this day,” said Dr. Arlos.
An evening reception offered a chance to unwind, network and reminisce with fellow alumni, CWP faculty, current students and community stakeholders over refreshments and appetizers.
The 10th Anniversary celebration of the University of Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program.