U.S.- Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water

02/10/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔𝗦-𝗪 𝗠𝗨𝗘𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗠𝗗 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆

[October 1, 2026] The U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for the installation of an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) on the university premises.

Under this strategic partnership, USPCAS-W is allocating a dedicated open space to PMD to establish a state-of-the-art meteorological observatory. The facility will collect and transmit real-time agro-meteorological data to improve local weather forecasting, strengthen flood monitoring, and build anticipatory climate adaptation systems for surrounding communities.

As part of the collaboration, USPCAS-W researchers and departments will receive free real-time weather data from PMD to drive high-impact applied research, climate modelling, and disaster risk reduction initiatives.

01/10/2026

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗙𝗔𝗢 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔𝗦-𝗪 𝗠𝗨𝗘𝗧 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟱-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀

[14th-18th Sept, 2026] FAO, under the EU-funded Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme (RBWRP), organised a five-day training on “Integrated Watershed Planning - Participatory and Technical Approaches” at the U.S.-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. The training brought together 20 mid- and senior-level officers from Balochistan’s irrigation and water management departments, strengthening their capacity to assess watershed conditions and develop practical approaches to sustainable water and natural resource management.

The training combined technical knowledge with participatory planning, covering watershed hydrology, land-water interactions, erosion and sedimentation, GIS applications, watershed assessment and prioritisation, soil and water conservation, water harvesting and climate resilience. Participants also gained practical experience through hands-on exercises in water quality measurement, GPS and GIS applications, soil salinity assessment and water quality monitoring, alongside a field visit to the Hydro Informatics Center (HIC) of the Sindh Irrigation Department and the Flux Tower at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tando Jam.

A key focus was translating technical knowledge into participatory watershed management plans that incorporate community priorities, institutional responsibilities and appropriate technical interventions. Sessions also examined the institutional framework for watershed management and experiences under RBWRP. The training strengthens the capacity of Balochistan’s water-sector institutions to support more informed, participatory and climate-responsive approaches to watershed management.

Engr. Waleed Mahdi, Head of FAO Balochistan, chaired the closing ceremony. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of capacity building for Balochistan government officials and emphasised the need for a Train-the-Trainer approach to ensure that the knowledge and skills gained during the program are disseminated to colleagues and other relevant stakeholders. Prof. Dr Kamran Ansari, Director of USPCAS-W, expressed his appreciation to Engr Waleed Mahdi for sparing his valuable time to attend and chair the closing ceremony. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants.

01/09/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗸-𝗔𝘂𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: 𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗥 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔𝗦-𝗪, 𝗠𝗨𝗘𝗧

[1 Sep 2026] The U.S.- Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Jamshoro hosted a high-level delegation from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The purpose of the visit was to explore ongoing collaborative achievements and discuss future strategic pathways in agricultural water management and climate adaptation.

The delegation included Dr Suzie Newman, General Manager of Partnerships, and Dr Munawar R. Kazmi, Country Manager for Pakistan. They were welcomed by Prof. Dr Kamran Jan Ansari, the Director of USPCAS-W, along with Emeritus Professor Dr Bakhshal Lashari. The visitors participated in a guided tour of the Center’s advanced analytical laboratories and research infrastructure, highlighting USPCAS-W’s capabilities in applied research.

Discussions focused on expanding joint research-for-development initiatives in Sindh. Both the delegates and the leadership emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing critical challenges faced by smallholder farming communities, particularly in water productivity, soil salinity management, and climate-resilient agriculture.

The meeting reaffirmed a shared institutional commitment to leveraging USPCAS-W’s technical expertise alongside ACIAR’s longstanding agricultural cooperation to foster sustainable, science-based solutions for the Indus Basin. The meeting was also attended by the esteemed faculty and experts of USPCAS-W, including Dr Uzma, Dr Arjumand Zaidi, Dr Tanveer Ahmed, Dr Ghulam Hussain Dars, and Mr Naeem Dal.

17/08/2026

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔𝗦-𝗪, 𝗠𝗨𝗘𝗧 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮!

Our Director, Prof. Dr. Kamran Ansari, along with Mr Naeem Dal (IT Specialist), is representing USPCAS-W alongside colleagues from PCRWR and PARC in the Australia Awards Fellowship delivered by the University of Canberra and supported by DFAT.

Engaging in these high-level discussions, hands-on workshops, and field visits allows us to share our expertise in salinity management, digital tools, and water governance while building enduring institutional ties between Pakistan and Australia. We look forward to translating these collaborative insights and practical solutions into real-world impact for our farming communities and water systems back home.

17/08/2026

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔𝗦-𝗪 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 🇵🇰🇦🇺

On August 5, 2026, a delegation from the U.S.-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, delivered a technical presentation at the University of Canberra in Australia. The session was conducted under the Australia Awards Fellowship program supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia.

The delegation, comprising Prof. Dr Kamran Jan Ansari, Director of USPCAS-W, and Mr Naeem Dal, IT Specialist, shared comprehensive updates on joint research priorities and innovative technological applications for soil and water management.

During the session, the speakers highlighted the core objectives and collaborative scope of the Australia Awards Fellowship, as well as the national role and ongoing research footprint of USPCAS-W across Pakistan’s water sector. The discussion placed special emphasis on addressing salinity challenges across the Indus Basin and identifying pathways for future research. In addition, the delegation showcased work on modern digital infrastructure, Decision Support Systems (DSS), and accessible smart tools designed to assist farmers, researchers, and policymakers in making data-driven water management decisions.

The visit fostered practical dialogue on leveraging digital solutions and international academic partnerships to tackle pressing agricultural and climate resilience challenges in Pakistan.

05/08/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗸-𝗔𝘂𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 & 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

On August 4, 2026, a delegation from the U.S.-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), MUET, led by Director Prof. Dr Kamran Ansari, alongside Mr Naeem Dal, visited the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) office in Australia.

The delegation received a warm welcome from Dr Neil Lazarow, Research Program Manager (Water) at ACIAR. During the visit, Prof. Dr Kamran Ansari delivered an insightful presentation that outlined the national significance and ongoing role of USPCAS-W in Pakistan's water sector. He addressed critical issues, including salinity challenges in the Indus Basin, constraints on Pakistan's surface water availability, and the center's research expertise and future priorities in salinity management and salt balance dynamics.

The interactive session also included key researchers and collaborators, such as Prof. Dr Darren Sinclair from the University of Canberra, Mr Faizan ul Hassan, and Ms Bareerah. The discussions reaffirm USPCAS-W's strong commitment to collaborating with Australian partners to develop practical, long-term solutions for climate resilience and sustainable agricultural water management.

29/07/2026

During her mission to Pakistan, Sara Netzer, UNOPS Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, visited the U.S.- Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Jamshoro, Sindh.
She was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Kamran Ansari, Director of USPCAS-W, Dr. Tanveer, Assistant Professor, and other faculty members, who walked her through the Center's state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities - showcasing ongoing projects that reflect USPCAS-W's important contributions to water and sanitation research in Pakistan.

The visit also included a detailed discussion on how USPCAS-W and UNOPS can work together, exploring synergies across:
🔧 Infrastructure engineering for resilient water systems
📋 End-to-end project cycle management
🎓 Competency-based institutional training for public sector and municipal staff

The discussions also focused on training areas that could help upskill the workforce driving Pakistan's water and sanitation sector forward, including:
- GIS and remote sensing applications in WASH
- Public sector project management
- Advanced water quality monitoring
- Wastewater treatment process optimization
- Integrated solid waste management for resource recovery

This visit reflects UNOPS's continued commitment to delivering sustainable WASH services to the communities that need them most, while exploring collaboration opportunities with institutions like USPCAS-W that are contributing to water management in Pakistan.
UNOPS United Nations - Pakistan

05/07/2026

𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗖𝗔𝗦-𝗪 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳

[29th June to 3rd July] The U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, successfully organised a five-day professional training program on “Capacity Building and Training on Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems” for the staff of the U.S. Consulate General Karachi. Dr Tanveer Ahmed Gadhi and team led the training. It was designed to strengthen technical knowledge and practical competencies in modern water and wastewater treatment systems through an integrated learning approach that combined theoretical instruction, laboratory experimentation, software applications, and industrial exposure.

The comprehensive program covered the scientific principles of water quality, sampling techniques, drinking water and wastewater regulations, conventional and advanced treatment technologies, membrane systems, biological treatment processes, sludge management, resource recovery, GIS and remote sensing applications, treatment plant design, and operation and maintenance strategies. Participants also gained insights into emerging technologies, sustainability considerations, and international best practices for water and wastewater management.

A key feature of the training was its strong emphasis on experiential learning. Participants actively engaged in hands-on laboratory sessions involving water and wastewater quality analysis, jar testing, coagulation and filtration experiments, microbial analysis, activated sludge microscopy, and the operation of treatment units. Practical exercises using GIS tools, combined with case studies and technical discussions, enabled participants to translate theoretical concepts into real-world applications. The program concluded with a technical field visit to Archroma Pakistan Ltd., Jamshoro, providing first-hand exposure to industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities and operational practices.

This successful training reflects USPCAS-W’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality professional development programs, promoting knowledge exchange, and strengthening institutional partnerships to advance sustainable water resources management and environmental stewardship in Pakistan.

05/07/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

USPCAS-W, MUET, proudly celebrates the successful completion of its Internship Program, providing valuable practical exposure to around 60 students from the BS Environmental Science Program at USPCAS-W, as well as 25 students from the University of Sindh and Sindh Agriculture University.

Through this impactful initiative, students gained hands-on industry and institutional experience at renowned organizations including Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Archroma Pakistan Limited⁠, United Energy Pakistan⁠, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited⁠, Center for Advanced Research and Development (CARD), Crop Reporting System, Government of Sindh, Pak Altas Solid Waste Management Company, as well as the state-of-the-art laboratories at USPCAS-W.

This achievement reflects the exceptional dedication of the Center Administration, faculty members, and laboratory staff, whose commitment goes far beyond academics, creating transformative learning opportunities for students.

We sincerely thank all partner organisations and institutions for opening their doors to our students and helping nurture the next generation of environmental professionals, researchers, and sustainability leaders.

Together, we are shaping skilled, confident, and future-ready environmental professionals committed to sustainable development.

03/07/2026