Collaborative Water Program named finalist for national recognition in water education
The University of Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program (CWP) has been named a finalist in the Education category of the 2026 Water Canada Awards, recognizing more than a decade of innovation and leadership in interdisciplinary water education.
Established in 2013 and delivered through the Water Institute, the CWP brings together expertise across disciplines to address water challenges that no single field can solve alone. The program equips graduate students with the knowledge and collaborative skills to understand complex water systems and develop solutions grounded in diverse perspectives and real-world contexts.
More than 450 graduate students have participated in the program since its launch, building a growing alumni network of water professionals working across research, government, industry, policy, consulting and environmental organizations.
Connecting disciplines to real-world water challenges
The CWP’s interdisciplinary approach gives students opportunities to apply their knowledge to complex, real-world water management challenges.
For example, WATER 601: Integrated Water Management helps students develop systems-thinking skills and understand the connections between water, communities, ecosystems and economies. The course examines the trade-offs involved in water management and brings together perspectives on watershed management, ecosystem protection, drinking water, urban infrastructure, climate change, water governance and Indigenous perspectives.
By considering these interconnected issues, students develop the ability to evaluate water challenges from multiple perspectives and work collaboratively toward informed approaches to water management.
This approach reflects a central principle of the CWP: effective water management requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors and communities.
Building Canada’s water expertise
The CWP’s focus on developing interdisciplinary expertise comes at a critical time for Canada’s water sector. A recent report on Canada’s water challenges highlighted the importance of strengthening national research capacity and recommended that the Government of Canada actively support Canadian academic institutions seeking to consolidate and increase scientific knowledge and professional expertise in water management.
The CWP contributes to this broader goal by preparing highly skilled graduates with the interdisciplinary expertise needed to understand and address complex water challenges. Its impact extends beyond the University, with alumni contributing to the water sector across Canada and internationally in academia, government, industry, policy, consulting and environmental organizations.
The CWP is a finalist in the Education category of the 2026 Water Canada Awards, which recognize leadership, innovation and excellence across Canada’s water sector. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 22 in Toronto.
The recognition highlights the strength of Waterloo’s interdisciplinary approach to water education and the program’s contribution to developing the next generation of water professionals.