AWCICapacity Development
Framework
Srikantha Herath
United Nations University

OutlinezObjectives
zApproachzMethodology
zImplementation– Resources– Needs

zWorkshop objectives– Agenda for coming years

Goal
zThe goal of the capacity development
program of the AWCI is to facilitate anddevelop sustainable mechanisms for thecountries in Asia Pacific to use advanced
earth observations systems, associateddata and tools for water cycle research andwater resources management under
GEOSS framework.

Specific Objectivesz Downscaling regional and global information tobasin scale and to improve accuracy required byoperational water management applications
through a combination of numerical forecasting
and fusion of local observations.
z Identify reliable and efficient tools to convert
the available observations and data to useful
information for flood management through datatransformations, interpolation, classification andestimation algorithms.
z Conversion of information to water resourcesmanagement applications, both for operationaluse and scenario based assessments for planningpurposes.

Target groupsz Researchers / Scientists– Customizing existing knowledge tosuit local conditions supported byglobal experiencesz Professional / Practitioners– Introducing new methods, tools,
standardsz Administrative / Local government
officers– Over view of technology and science

Use of observations/forecasts in Flood Risk Management

Applications

CB-IAInformation

CB-OI

RainfallObservation
Computation
Forecasting/Warning

Response

Flood Estimates
Model Parameters
Elevation
Roughness
Soil moisture

Risk Management/Mitigation

Vulnerability
Buildings
Infrastructure

Observations
RainfallLand cover

Elevation
CloudsTemperature

Groundwater
Risk
AssetsCapacity Development

InfrastructureGuidelines - requirementsz Capacity

Development on data acquisition andinformation extraction, including fundamental & advanced
technologies for observations and analyses, and on enduser product generation for IWRM and Water Cycle
Resesarch is urgently required in almost all of thedeveloping countries in Asia.

z Considering the disparity in existing capabilities among
different countries as well as their varied needs, it isrecommended to work out capacity development
programs based on prior need assessment.

z Incorporating the above mentioned requirements, it isproposed to develop some demonstration projects inconjunction with the framework of AWCI for theevaluation of applicability of earth observations for IWRM.
7Methodology
zThe capacity development activities will
be designed and carried out concurrently
in support of applications in 17 Asian
Basins proposed to be studied within the
Asian Water Cycle Initiative forclarification of basin water cycle and thedevelopment of appropriate water
management practices.

Focus areas
zThree focus areas have been
identified by the AWCI participants.
– Flood– Drought– Water quality

zBy designing a generic template foreach problem area, we can planrequired capacity development
activities.

Structure of Demonstration
Projects : Flood Example

z Use of satellite information in two broad areas
related to flood risk management– Real time flood forecasting• This includes estimating/forecasting rainfall, estimating
and forecasting flood flow, inundation forecasting,operational aspects of food control such as reservoir
operations– Flood scenario development• For planning and mitigation purposes. This includes floodrisk for different return periods, vulnerability assessment,
damage estimation, flood insurance, evacuation guidance,
evaluation of mitigation measures, etc

Setting up Models - Tools
zSelection of model type– Physically based distributed,
Physically based lumped, Conceptual

zData– Model setup, Initial conditions, Inputs
for simulations (rainfall, temperature),values for verification (inundation)– Boundary conditions, Discharge
estimations

zValidation

Flood scenarios
zInundation for different return
period rainfall as well as a worst
case scenario
zFlood risk based on inundation(hazard) and vulnerability(population distribution, loss
functions for different property
distribution)

Active Areas of Researchz Improving quantitative rainfall estimation– From numerical simulation + in situ
observations and remotely sensed dataz Use of space based observation/
information for real time flood forecasts– Incorporating dynamic information on water
flow, state of infrastructure, etc., forcorrection or improvement of predictions

Way forward
zSurvey existing programs andIdentify gaps and missing links– Recognition of expertise available
within the group– Making use of available programs
within resource organizations

zUse of this expertise for AWCI
applications
zIdentify gaps and develop programs
based on needs

Resource availability survey
z Details on Data Services
z Details on Training on specific topics
z Details on Tools, mathematical models,manuals, methodologies
z Providing Forecasts, alerts on hydrologicalvariables or extreme eventsz Providing Research opportunities or training
on specialized topics

Guiding principles of capacity
developmentz The capacity development program isbased on the needs of the Asia Pacificcountries
z Increase the number of technicallycompetent persons who can use
advanced space based observations andglobal climate/weather forecasts.
z Facilitate customizing knowledge tomeet local conditions and constraints.

Increasing technically competent staff (1)zRoving Seminars– Base component: training basic skills
to use tools and use of information
extracted from space based
observations and numerical models.
– Application examples andcustomization through local problem
solving.
– Duration, coverage and thematic area
will be decided depending on eachcountry need.

Increasing technically competent staff (2)zCase studies/manual– Develop stand alone teaching
manuals on case studies with step-bystep instructions.
– Will use public domain as well as
models and software that will be madeavailable to the AWCI group– The applications will include genericexamples as well as specific local
case studies supporting AWCI

Increasing technically competent staff (3)zWeb based systems– Web technology now provides many
facilities for distance learning andcollaborative activities.
– Experiences from (1) and (2) will be
used to develop web based training
modules with the support fromregional institutes.
– Constraint: WWW ACCESS SPEEDS

Customizing global knowledge
zHow to incorporate advanced
technologies in national programs?.
– Example, improving quantitativeprecipitation forecasts.

zJoint Graduate programs: proposal– 1st year local university– 0.5 years at a resource institute.
– Final year 1.5 - 2.0 years at a postgraduate degree program in aparticipating university

TeamszThe program will target to develop
country teams consisting ofuniversity/educational institutes
and a national agencies. They will
be invited to participate in thedevelopment and execution of
capacity development programs ineach country.

Training Characteristics
zEach training module will have aclear societal benefit target. They
will also identify the target group.
zThe following linkages will beemphasized– Science and Society– Macro and Micro scale linkages.

Workshop Objectives
zSummary of resources
zSummary of needs
zPresentations of resource
programs
zDiscuss, agree and plan essential
capacity development programs to
be implemented in next 2 years.

OutcomeszDiscuss, modify and agree on the“Capacity Development
Framework”
zDevelop the long term plan for thecapacity development program
zPlan a few concrete activities fornext two years

Thank you
for your kind attention

Student Researchz Post graduate student
program– Support/sponsor Masterand Ph. D. programs,
supervised jointly withpartner institutions. –promote sandwich typeprograms.
– Develop appropriatetechnology, analysis
approaches

Training opportunities forprofessionals and practitioners
zShort duration training projects– The mini projects focusing on fieldproblems involving a group ofprofessionals (JAXA/AIT)zDiploma programs– Residential / at work combined
curriculum (UN Virtual Academy)

zOpen Source Tools / Systems

Over view for Administrators andPolicy makers
zAdministrators, especially local
government officers need targeted
programs to grasp (Bkk WS topic)– Online learning– Short term courses

Why local governmentz Local government isinvolved in
implementing
development
programs as well asreconstruction after
Reconstruction guidelines
disastersz A knowledge ofdisaster risk
management would
Disaster management
be very useful inauthority
getting required
guide lines,
Reconstruction
especially whendisaster management
authority is weakDevelopment
authority

Local
Government