Annual Progress Report 2017

The project focused on expanding the Executive Committee to bring in new members with diverse perspectives, including Professor [REDACTED], who specializes in climate dynamics, and Professor [REDACTED], who works in environmental engineering. The new members helped refocus the project on priority areas and provided new insights. The Center also expanded its staff with two new members, including a Communications Specialist, [REDACTED], who updated the Center's web presence and supported the push for sustainability. The new website was launched mid-year and continues to receive regular updates and improvements. Research projects were ramped up in 2017, with a focus on more research-focused training, funding additional research grants, and beginning joint research projects. Faculty publications were not included in the progress chart due to a new tracking system being implemented. The team was able to start bringing in funding from private and government sectors, with external funding breaking the 50% of goal mark. The exchanges and trainings program continued at a solid pace, with 33 exchanges completed in 2017, bringing the total to 60 completed exchanges. The student exchanges provided an integrated water learning experience, including field trips, lectures, coursework, research experiences, and cultural activities. Faculty exchanges focused on short-term, intense trainings to build faculty skills. The Center also made progress in gathering funding, bringing in just over half a million dollars from sources other than the Government of Pakistan or the International Donor community, including multiple research grants. A sustainability plan was drafted for the Center, and relationships with other groups and organizations in Pakistan were continued. External training workshops were also initiated, which could be a source of revenue for the Center long-term. The Center continued to make progress across all six key areas and is focused on achieving the remaining targets over the next two years, as well as building toward success after the initial round of funding runs out. Challenges remain, including public/private partnerships and operationalizing the Women's Resource Center at MUET, but the team is working to find ways to bridge these gaps. The Center's governance structure was expanded to include new members, including Professor [REDACTED], who focuses on climate dynamics, and Professor [REDACTED], who works in environmental engineering. The new members helped refocus the project on priority areas and provided new insights. The Center also expanded its staff with two new members, including a Communications Specialist, [REDACTED], who updated the Center's web presence and supported the push for sustainability. The Center's focus on sustainability was a key area of progress in 2017, with the drafting of a sustainability plan and the initiation of external training workshops. The team also continued to build relationships with other groups and organizations in Pakistan, which could be a source of revenue for the Center long-term. The Center also made progress in gathering funding, bringing in just over half a million dollars from sources other than the Government of Pakistan or the International Donor community, including multiple research grants. A sustainability plan was drafted