11 December 2008

Major Funding for Dundee to Train Water Experts

The University of Dundee has been awarded major funding from the European Union and the Government of Australia to train the next generation of specialists in the field of sustainable water resources.

Five Australian universities and three European leading water universities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to exchange 90 post graduate students and 30 academic members of staff in the coming three years.

In total a grant of over AU$ 1,000,000 (£500,000) has been awarded to the University of Dundee and partners to enable students and staff members from the EU and Australia to share best practice and to improve global understanding of the importance of sustainability in water resources. The project is funded jointly by the Australian government and the European Union.

Over the next three years, 45 post graduate students from the University of Dundee (Scotland, UK), Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) and the Technical University of Dresden (Germany) will study for one semester at one of the participating universities in Australia.

In return, 45 post graduate students from Flinders University, University of South Australia, Deakin University, Central Queensland University and the University of Adelaide will come to Europe to study at one of the three participating European universities.

As well as exchanging students, staff members will visit the universities in the other continent to give guest lectures, to start joint PhD research projects and to develop joint courses.

Chris Bustin, Head of Administration for EU Partners and International Operations Manager at the University of Dundee said: “We are delighted that the European Union and the Government of Australia have seen fit to provide funding for this exciting project. As water becomes more scarce, the proper management of water resources will be one of the most controversial areas of Law, Policy and Science in this century. We hope that Dundee University students will be leading the way in this field for years to come.”

Mr. Bustin visited Adelaide last week to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the partners.

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PICTURE ATTACHED

Picture shows Chris Bustin (seated left) signing a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the European Union with Richard Hopkins (seated centre) representing the Australian partners. Other members of the project team are also present.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk