International water key initiative

The international key initiative Water (INITIATE - InternatioNal InTercultural Interdisciplinary wATer nEtwork) is being developed at the University as part of the UM2030 project, winner of the Call for Projects "Integration and Development of IdEx and ISITE"(IDéES). The initiative is the result of a multilateral collaboration between the University of Montpellier (UM) and its strategic partners around the world, including three UNESCO International Centers (located in Montpellier, Delft and Dundee). INITIATE represents a collaborative platform for doctoral training and a virtual global infrastructure for international cooperation in the water sciences.

Presentation

The actors

The INITIATE initiative has been developed by the UM and its partners from 2022 onwards. On the UM side, the initiative is scientifically led by Olivier Barreteau, INRAE researcher and Deputy Director of the ICIREWARD UNESCO International Center in Montpellier, and by ICIREWARD project managers Sandie Mennechet and Beatriz Gasparini Reis. The initiative takes the form of a global collaborative platform for doctoral training, bringing together doctoral students from ICIREWARD's strategic partners.

At UM, the Platform is managed by Nathalie Modjeska and Emilie Morin, within the Office for international support and the attractiveness of structuring programs of the Department of Structuring Programs.

Governance

The Platform is managed by an International Steering Committee (ISC), which includes a senior representative from each of the Platform's founding member institutions (UM and its partners).

• University of Montpellier, FR: Olivier Barreteau
• Australian National University, AU: Joseph Guillaume
• Dublin City University, IE: Fiona Regan
• IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, NL: Margreet Zwarteveen
• Rhodes University, ZA: Nelson Odume
• University of Sherbrooke, CA: Marie-Amélie Boucher
• Laval University, CA: François Anctil
• University Cheikh Anta Diop Of Dakar, SN: Awa Fall
• University Felix Houphouet Boigny, CI: Dimitri Soro
• University Mohamed 6 Polytechnique, MA: Abdelghani Chehbouni
• University of Barcelona, ES: Joaquim Farguell Pérez
• University of Dundee, GB: John Rowan

The ICC decides on and oversees the implementation of the Platform's strategic orientations and global activities. It meets virtually at least once every two months, and in person at least once a year.

12 Partners

• Europe
  • University of Montpellier (UM),FR
  • University of Dundee, GB
  • IHE Delft, NL
  • Dublin City University (DCU), IE
  • University of Barcelona, ES
• North America
  • Laval University, CA
  • University of Sherbrooke, CA
• Africa
  • Rhodes University, ZA
  • University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, SN
  • University Felix Houphouet Boigny, CI
  • University Mohamed VI Polytechnique (UM6P), MA
• Oceania
  • Australian National University (ANU), AU

Objectives

The platform aims to :

• Build a global community of future leaders in the water sciences through the internationalization of doctoral training and the development of lifelong networks of expertise and influence.
• Increase the impact of water sciences by promoting and supporting inter- and trans-disciplinary research approaches at doctoral level, and developing expertise at the science-policy-society interface in the field of water.
• Facilitate longer-term research opportunities and career development prospects for early-career scientists in the field of sustainable development.
• Advance open science and open education practices through the development of new and equitable global partnerships.

Program

The INITIATE doctoral platform aims to bring together a cohort of doctoral students once a year for field schools and/or training courses on water science topics.

Each cohort is made up of up to 2 PhD students per partner institution for a period of two years. These young researchers, from various fields of water research, are invited to participate in online and face-to-face activities during this period, and afterwards will join an alumni network with other former INITIATE fellows.

INITIATE aims to foster interdisciplinarity and interculturality through the diversity of the doctoral students it brings together.

PhD students work in groups and exchange ideas to strengthen their ties and form an international network of future leaders in the water sciences.

The Platform offers :

• Opportunities for doctoral students to publish documents and create communication materials
• A global virtual infrastructure to facilitate discussion and document sharing
• International visibility of research themes
• The opportunity to take part in international events
• A networking opportunity for young researchers

The first cohort, class of 2024, comprises 19 students of 11 nationalities. These PhD students will meet in Morocco from November 25 to 29, 2024 for the first autumn school, and should be welcomed in Montpellier in October 2025 for the second autumn school.