9th Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2016

The center's primary objective is to develop a comprehensive water management system in Pakistan, focusing on research, education, and research-based training, and to support the achievement of water-related Sustainable Development Goals. The center's progress during the period October – December 2016 is highlighted in the quarterly progress report. The report emphasizes the establishment of the National Water Research Network (NWRN), which aims to develop a shared understanding of water research and support the achievement of water-related Sustainable Development Goals. The network comprises prominent institutions, including MUET, Ministry of Water & Power, Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering UET Lahore, and others. The center received 235 concept notes under the 2nd call for proposals, with 24 being shortlisted for further development. In addition to the ongoing research projects, the center has three center-awarded projects and three ongoing research projects that continued progressing as scheduled. The research team led by Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar and Dr. Van der Slice visited Tharparkar to identify potential research projects and suggest solutions. The center also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Center for International Research, focusing on a research project titled "Efficient Participatory Irrigation Institutions to Productive and Sustainable in South Asia." Furthermore, the center successfully completed the first batch of 18 students' exchange training program at the University of Utah, and another group of 9 students have been finalized for the exchange program. The center's performance management plan update highlights its progress against minimum mandatory results. The quarterly financial analysis for the period October – December 2016 is also included in the report. The center's activities, timelines, and targets for the 10th quarter (January – March 2017) are outlined, along with performance monitoring and tracking for the 9th quarter. The center's focus on research, education, and research-based training is evident in its various components, including curriculum reform, high-quality applied research, graduate and postgraduate training, and sustainability through industry and sector links. The center's commitment to achieving water-related Sustainable Development Goals is reflected in its progress and activities outlined in the quarterly progress report.