IDRC-GIST Project

The Gendering Water and Climate Science Research in South Asia project, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the Gender in STEM Research Initiative (GIST), is dedicated to enhancing gender analysis and inclusivity in water and climate science across South Asia. This initiative focuses on understanding how pedagogical, institutional, and market factors influence interdisciplinary and gendered research in the region. It aims to develop improved tools and methods for postgraduate training and research while fostering a robust network for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and mentorship. By addressing these challenges, the project strives to produce high-quality research that integrates gender perspectives, contributing to more equitable and effective water and climate science.

With a regional focus on Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the project seeks to improve gender inclusivity in science education and research, particularly in water and climate science. In Nepal, Nepal Engineering College (nec) actively supports this initiative by offering fellowships to students in its Interdisciplinary Water Resources Management (iWRM) program. These fellowships are instrumental in cultivating a new generation of professionals who incorporate gender-sensitive approaches into water resource management. nec’s contributions align seamlessly with the goals of the IDRC-GIST project, advancing gender-inclusive, interdisciplinary research and practice in water and climate science.

IDRC-GIST is the research project based on the outcome of two earlier projects funded by IDRC.

Project Team:

• Prof. N.D.K. Dayawansa (Project Lead- Sri Lanka)
  Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, UoP, Sri Lanka
  Email – dhammikadayawansa@gmail.com
• Prof. M. Shahjahan Mondal (Co Lead- Bangladesh)
  Professor, IWFM, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
  Email – mshahjahanmondal@iwfm.buet.ac.bd
• Assoc. Prof. Robert Dongol (Co Lead- Nepal)
  Associate Professor, Nepal Engineering College
  Email – robert@nec.edu.np
• Dr. Sreenita Mondal
  Regional Research Lead, WCS
  Email – sreenitamondal@gmail.com
• Ms. Suchita Jain
  Regional Research and Training Coordinator, WCS
  Email – suchita.geo@gmail.com