The future of water is taking shape in Montpellier
Montpellier is a European center of excellence for water sciences. Focus on one of the UM's key themes. Heavy rainfall and devastating floods, groundwater pollution, coastal zone preservation, irrigation, the need to redefine resource management in the face of global population growth...
Water has been at the center of media and political debate for several years now. Facing the Mediterranean, Montpellier did not wait for this recent interest to address an issue that is vital for humanity. With more than 500 scientists and doctoral students affiliated with 14 research units, the city occupies a unique position in Europe as a hub for research in the water and environmental sectors.
Dedicated institute, global competitiveness cluster, Mediterranean observatory...
- Since its launch in 2013, the Montpellier Institute for Water and the Environment ( IM2E) has brought together all stakeholders involved in research on two now inseparable topics: water and the environment (sustainable development, climate change, energy, agronomy, etc.).
- Developing a multidisciplinary approach, IM2E works closely with the OREME (Mediterranean Environment Research Observatory), which has access to a unique resource in the form of the Sète marine station.
- Montpellier is home to the headquarters of a globally oriented competitiveness cluster dedicated to water sciences. One of its missions is to foster synergies between public research and private actors.
It was the existence of this ecosystem that led to the city hosting the13th World Water Congress in 2008 and the Avenir de l'Eau (Future of Water) conference in 2015. The idea behind this event, organized by IM2E (in association with the French Committees of International Hydrology and Hydrogeology Associations), was to bring together young professionals in the sector to develop innovative approaches that will change the world of tomorrow.
An internationally oriented education
Backed by this strong research potential, UM's water science programs offer a wide range of courses tailored to specific professions. Every year, it welcomes a large number of students from all over the world, particularly from southern countries, thereby helping to strengthen ties between all those involved in global change.
For many years, the University of Montpellier has offered a program in water science and technology engineering at Polytech. This program develops skills in hydraulics, water treatment, hydrobiology, and ecology.
In addition to this program, UM now offers six other Master's degree programs in water sciences at the Faculty of Sciences:
- Hydrology, risk, environment
- Quantitative and qualitative hydrogeology
- Water and coastline (same as coastal and marine management)
- Water contaminants and health
- Water and agriculture
- Water and society
Image: Copyright Alain Dezetter