Program Overview

Operating from 2017 to 2021 with a total budget of INR 2,51,93,492, the program was funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. SaciWATERs served as the nodal agency, coordinating efforts across four leading South Asian universities.

This leadership phase evolved from the successful Crossing Boundaries (2005–2012) and SAWA Fellowship (2012–2016) projects. While previous phases focused on scale, this program emphasized leadership excellence and intensive training for a select group of high-potential fellows.

Key Objectives & Methodology

• Leadership Development: Facilitating a community of women leaders with a multidisciplinary perspective on water resources.
• Research Excellence: Awarding fellowships to 36 interdisciplinary women, placing a strong emphasis on research methods, mentorship, and high-impact internships.
• Integrated Learning: Developing a common curriculum across all partner institutions to ensure a coherent, regional approach to water management.

Voices of Leadership

"Engineering frameworks alone fail to consider the socioeconomic and interdisciplinary dimensions of water. There is a dire need to adopt a more holistic approach... The implementation of IWRM techniques in all project planning, design, and implementation is critical."

— Nazmun Naher, SAWA Fellowship Recipient, BUET, Bangladesh

Our Impact at a Glance

By moving women from the sidelines to the center of water policy, the SAWA Leadership Program achieves measurable change across South Asia:

• 100% Women-Led Leadership: Successfully awarded fellowships to 36 interdisciplinary women, specifically focusing on those from marginalized backgrounds.
• Research that Matters: 100% of the fellows' theses directly addressed critical gender-relevant water and climate change issues.
• Academic Excellence: Graduates have gone on to win full international research scholarships, including PhDs at globally recognized institutions like Macquarie University, Australia.
• Sector-Wide Influence: Our alumni now lead change within academic institutes, government development sectors, and international research organizations.

Partner Institutions

A Collaborative Regional Network:

• India: Centre for Water Resources (CWR), Anna University, Tamil Nadu.
• Bangladesh: Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), BUET, Dhaka.
• Nepal: Nepal Engineering College (NEC), Kathmandu.
• Sri Lanka: Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), University of Peradeniya.

Related Links

• Reports and Field Updates: http://www.saciwaters.org/sawaleadershipprogram/reports/
• SAWA Fellowship Archive: http://www.saciwaters.org/sawafellowships/
• Crossing Boundaries Legacy: http://www.saciwaters.org/CB/