Welang River Basin Management Academy (RBMA) program is well-received by the stakeholders involved. With an online class model that is made concise and provides national and foreign expertise, some participants have been interested in this TMT Welang from the beginning. They look forward to having the opportunity to learn again. Participants find it difficult to access a learning platform between their career and day jobs. This program made it more accessible, as there are online classes and flexible times. Moreover, the programs offered to cover the field of water resources that prioritizes sustainability.
Participants also felt the positive impact of knowledge transfer in this program. As stated by one of the participants, the nature-based solution approach is a mindset that is rarely found in Public Works (due to PU’s focus on hard infrastructure), so this knowledge is valuable. The participants believed the opportunity for a more integrated water basin management would undoubtedly present itself. By then, they would be able to comprehend watershed management in a more sustainable, holistic, and integrated manner. TMT also motivates the participants to conduct scientific research because it forces them to be active and innovative in their thinking and more sensitive in observing factual situations in the field.
The practical assignment stage aims to help participants comprehend the multidisciplinary nature of watershed management. Participants learn to address a broad range of topics in water resources management. They agreed that it must address the geopolitical and socioeconomic effects and constraints, natural and man-made contamination of water resources, and surface and groundwater interaction. All of which are frequently overlooked by citizens, decision-makers, and scientists.
Participants are excited to see this program continued. They believe this program teaches young civil servants to collaborate in the water sector with open-mindedness and a broader perspective. This program can be enriched by a more comprehensive range of topics, such as research-based instructional, professional, and outreach programs, to promote effective and equitable educational practices for all to work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly in the water sector, by improving coordination across agencies and authorities, including planning, budgeting, and information systems management, as well as more meaningful community engagement with a gender inclusion, policy-oriented, and circular economy by managing the environment and potential energy in collaboration with local people and government.
Article by: Amanda Abiella Resmana
