AIT Extension, in close collaboration with the International Continuing Education Center (ICEC), Sripathum University is hosting a 7-day seminar and study visit program on "Leadership for Irrigation System Management" (22 - 29 July 2012). This program is designed according to the requirements of the Department of Irrigation, Government of Nepal and it is sponsored under the project "Integrated Water Resource Management Project" (IWRMP), World Bank, Nepal. The aim of the program is to enrich the knowledge of participants on the aspects of leadership which are considered essential for relevant engineers, sociologists, agriculturalists, planners and administrative staff in carrying out their activities effectively. The platform of this program is result-based management applications that emphasize on achieving results which might bring positive change to irrigation management practices in Nepal.
Twenty-two officials from the Department of Irrigation, Nepal are currently attending the program in Thailand. The first input sessions on "Leadership & Change Management" and "Result-based Monitoring & Evaluation of Irrigation System" were delivered by Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Senior Program Specialist, AIT Extension and Dr. Wiboon Boonyatharokul, Director, ICEC, Sripathum University respectively. Participants are being exposed to various irrigation projects in the northern hilly region of Thailand where environment and topography are similar to the ones in Nepal. In addition, participants get the chance to discuss the pertinent issues with local counterparts on water distribution options, water allocations and planning, on-farm-water management and farmers' organizations in water management.
