AGENDA ITEM NO: 11.1
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR DECISION
PRESENTED BY:
Bob Tyler, Chair, Planning and Priorities Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
March 17, 2011
SUBJECT:
Global Institute for Water Security
DECISION REQUESTED:
It is recommended:
That Council approve the establishment of the Global
Institute for Water Security as a Type B Centre at the
University of Saskatchewan, the effective date of
establishment to be March 17, 2011.
PURPOSE:
The Global Institute for Water Security will provide the organizational structure through
which internal and external stakeholders can collaborate, and will serve as the vehicle to
leverage the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) Program in Water Security with
external funding agencies and partners. This Type B Centre will enable the CERC to
provide leadership to effectively engage the full range of existing colleges, schools and
departments at the University of Saskatchewan that include relevant expertise in science
and technology, social sciences, humanities and policy arenas, and to build a globallyrecognized, interdisciplinary water research program addressing issues of generic global
importance, with applications to Canada and the developed and developing world.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND:
The Global Institute will provide opportunities for the University of Saskatchewan and
Canada to assume global leadership in developing new solutions to the integrated water
quality and quantity problems facing global and domestic water security at all scales.
The proposed Centre is a good fit with the strategic directions, institutional priorities and
signature research areas of the University, and will enable researchers campus wide to
connect with the opportunities associated with the University being awarded a Canada
Excellence Research Chair (CERC). The Centre, through its Director, will report to the
Continued…2/
Council Request for Decision – Global Institute for Water Security
Vice-President Research. Innovative research will result in technological innovation and
state-of-the-art modeling tools to address a wide variety of industrial and social needs.
CONSULTATION:
The Centres Subcommittee reviewed the Proposal to Establish a Global Institute for
Water Security on January 21, 2011. Following receipt of a positive recommendation
from the Centres Subcommittee that the proposed Institute be approved, subject to minor
revisions being made to the proposal, the Planning and Priorities Committee considered
the proposal at its March 2, 2011, meeting and recommended approval of the Institute.
SUMMARY:
The Institute will be supported by resources already in place in support of the Canada
Excellence Research Chair in Water Security, which include an institutional commitment
of $10 million and $10 million in support from each of the provincial and federal
governments. Additional research support will be sought from funding agencies and
partners. The Planning and Priorities Committee is confident that the Global Institute for
Water Security has access to financial resources sufficient for it to achieve its stated
objectives.
In summary, the Planning and Priorities Committee supports the establishment of the
Global Institute for Water Security as a Type B Centre at the University of
Saskatchewan. The Institute will enhance the University’s status as a national leader in
water research and will help it to develop its vision of global pre-eminence in the area of
water security.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Support from Planning and Priorities Committee, March 3, 2011.
2. Proposal to establish the Global Institute for Water Security.
The Centres Policy and Guidelines can be found at:
www.usask.ca/university_secretary/policies/research/8_23.php
Page 2
Attachment 1: letter of support from Planning and Priorities Committee
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Howard Wheater, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security
and Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability and
Department of Civil and Geological Engineering
FROM:
Bob Tyler, Chair, Planning and Priorities Committee of Council
DATE:
March 3, 2011
RE:
Global Institute for Water Security
______________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for meeting with the Planning and Priorities Committee on March 2, 2011,
with respect to your proposal to establish a Global Institute for Water Security at the
University of Saskatchewan.
The Committee was appreciative of receiving such a well written and comprehensive
proposal, wherein the relationship of the proposed centre to the Canada Excellence
Research Chair (CERC) program in water security was made clear. The many letters of
support from campus partners are indicative of the campus-wide enthusiasm for such a
centre. They also make it clear that its work will result in a rich interdisciplinary
research program in water security that will position the University of Saskatchewan as
a local, national and global leader in this field.
The Committee did not request any substantive changes to your proposal. However, I
will reiterate the Committee’s recommendation that every effort be made to include
stakeholders from indigenous and First Nations communities in both advisory and
participatory roles.
The Planning and Priorities Committee members asked me to convey their enthusiastic
support for the proposed centre. To this end, the following motion was passed
unanimously:
The Planning and Priorities Committee supports the proposal to establish a
Global Institute for Water Security as a Type B Centre at the University of
Saskatchewan and agrees that the proposal be recommended to University
Council for approval.
Continued…2/
Global Institute for Water Security
The Committee will forward the proposal and its recommendation to University Council
for consideration at its meeting on March 17, 2011. If approved, this will be the effective
date of the establishment of the Global Institute for Water Security. It would be helpful if
you were able to attend the Council meeting on March 17 for the purpose of responding
to any questions that might arise. I look forward to seeing you there.
I wish you every success in the establishment of the Institute.
Sincerely,
__________________________________
Bob Tyler
c
C. Card, Chair, University Council
K. Chad, Vice-President Research
K. Wilson, Executive Assistant, CERC in Water Security
Planning and Priorities Committee of University Council
Page 2
Attachment 2:
GLOBAL INSTITUTE FOR WATER SECURITY
FORMAL PROPOSAL
7 March 2011
1
1.0 Name of Centre
With the successful application to the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program in April
2010 and the subsequent appointment of Dr. Howard Wheater in October 2010, the University of
Saskatchewan is poised to enhance its status as a national leader in water research and to develop
its vision of global pre-eminence in the area of water security. Currently, there are five research
chairs, more than 60 additional faculty members (representing an unparalleled breadth of relevant
expertise with both established world-class scientists and young staff with exciting potential) and a
broad complement of post-doctoral researchers and graduate students involved in diverse aspects of
water research, and these numbers are growing. CERC funding alone provides for six new faculty and
over 60 new post-doctoral fellows and graduate students over the next seven years.
Two related issues arise. Firstly, for the CERC program to achieve its stated goals of interdisciplinary
collaboration and integration, a suitable organizational framework is needed. Secondly, the funded
CERC programme has specific objectives and deliverables, focused mainly on science and
engineering, whereas the Water Security research agenda, and the available expertise within the
University of Saskatchewan (U of S), is broader, including for example social science and public
policy, as well as human health. To address these two issues, and in order for the CERC to provide
leadership that can effectively engage the full range of existing departments and schools, a new
Global Institute for Water Security is proposed – a Type B Centre with the aim to build a
globally-recognized, interdisciplinary water research program through which the criteria of the CERC
can be fulfilled. The Institute will address issues of generic global importance, with applications to
Canada and the developed and developing world.
Envisioned as an umbrella-like structure, the Global Institute for Water Security will provide the
organizational structure through which internal and external stakeholders can collaborate and will
serve as the vehicle to leverage the CERC funding ($30M in contributions from the federal
government, provincial government, and U of S) with external funding agencies and partners. The
seven-year CERC program will be used as a catalyst to establish the intellectual leadership and
infrastructure for the Global Institute for Water Security to fulfill the broader ambitions of the
University in the signature area of water security: stewardship of the world’s freshwater resources
and will allow the program to continue past the seven-year federal funding timeline.
2.0 Type of Centre
The scope of activities to be encompassed within the Global Institute for Water Security spans
multiple colleges, schools and departments across the U of S. Given this, the type of centre proposed
is a Type B Centre. The Centre, through its Director, will report to the Vice-President Research.
3.0 Academic Plan
i.
Goals and Objectives
Under the leadership of Dr. Wheater, one of the world’s foremost water scientists, Canada has an
unparalleled opportunity to assume global leadership in developing new solutions to the integrated
water quality and quantity problems facing global and domestic water security at all scales. Water is
both an essential component of the environment and a fundamental driver of economic prosperity
and social wellbeing. Adequate supplies of water are critical to food and energy security, and clean
water is a basic requirement for healthy ecosystems and people. The world’s water resources are
2
threatened as never before by climate change, overuse, land use changes, and pollution. Across
Canada, there are increasing concerns for long-term water supply both for public consumption and to
support industry, agriculture, energy, resource development and concurrent population growth, as
well as issues of water quality, environmental protection and flood risk management.
Through this transformative initiative, it is envisioned that a new research paradigm will be
generated, offering interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral research and collaboration and technological
innovation. Capitalizing, integrating and building upon the world-class facilities, the extensive breadth
of expertise, and the existing partnerships at the University of Saskatchewan (including with
Environment Canada and other key partners, including Agriculture Canada), new interdisciplinary
science will be used to probe complex water/land/climate interactions to improve water use and
assessment and remediation applicable to all types of natural resource development. The Institute
will strategically position Canada to address urgent water security challenges and lead to changes in
water use, policy, management and reclamation, while training national and international students to
help ensure the world’s water security. The U of S has a proven track record of conducting research
that influences public policy and environmental regulations. A goal of the Global Institute will be to
build upon this reputation in the development of policy which addresses local, regional and global
issues threatening water security.
The Global Institute will enable the CERC to assist in bridging gaps and creating synergies across the
U of S, thereby spearheading this innovative research. Resulting technological innovation and stateof-the-art modeling tools will address a wide variety of industrial and social needs. It is imperative to
address these social issues using the spectrum of relevant disciplines and to translate this integrated
science into technologies and useful information for decision-making, working with stakeholders and
state-of-the-art informatics tools. Water security is undoubtedly an issue to which the research
community must collaboratively respond with a holistic approach and new integrated science. Not
only will the Global Institute bring researchers together, but it will also allow for engagement of
researchers in areas broader than those specifically identified in the CERC proposal. The funded CERC
program primarily draws on the natural and applied sciences in three thematic areas as described
below and is highly visible nationally. The Global Institute for Water Security, on the other hand, will
have a broader mandate which will include social sciences, public policy and human health. This
broader mandate will allow for thematic growth over time and for momentum to be fostered,
allowing unique research opportunities to surface. As such, the Global Institute will be built upon an
expansive, flexible vision for the future with manageable expectations in the early years.
While development of interdisciplinary science is in itself not novel, there are four key innovative
elements associated with the CERC and Global Institute:
1. Unique breadth and depth of co-located expertise, including relevant expertise in the social
sciences, humanities, and policy arenas;
2. Integration of a full range of scientific disciplines and advanced analytical tools (for example
toxicology and CLS-based advanced geochemical analysis) into the research program, providing a
wholly new dimension and exciting possibilities for environmental systems analysis and new
approaches to water management and pollution remediation;
3. Development of a wholly integrated modeling program that provides both added value to the
science and technology and a purpose-designed means for translating science into information
and tools accessible for management, industry and policy; and,
3
4. Integration of decision support tools with initiatives in social science and public policy to address
key societal issues, including public policy and governance.
It has been acknowledged among members of the U of S water research community that the
opportunity to capitalize on integrated research collaborations has in many instances been
underutilized. Subsequently, the U of S has not taken advantage of the broad range of unique
strengths in water-related research currently in place at this institution. It is anticipated that through
the Global Institute for Water Security a vehicle will be provided to integrate the broader community
internally and beyond. Specifically, the Institute will provide overarching coordination of research
efforts in a way that targets key opportunities, builds effective multi-disciplinary teams within and
outside the U of S, resources these efforts with support staff, research staff, and administrative
support, and provides accountability to align these efforts so as to maximize output (i.e., HQP,
publications, recognition/reputation, prominence, etc.).Through the CERC award, the Global Institute
for Water Security has substantial resources available. These will be used to provide the core
infrastructure for the Institute, in the form of facilities and administrative, financial and
communications support staff, and to support the development of an interdisciplinary research
community. The CERC programme has defined common problems and common places as a focus for
interdisciplinary research, and through the Global Institute for Water Security researchers will receive
assistance and incentives (financial, research/technical and administrative) to jointly work on these
projects and theme areas. The fundamental goal will be to establish long-term stability of the Global
Institute and to provide a focal point for water research activities broadly across campus. It is
believed that through the Global Institute for Water Security, researchers will have a place to
contribute to solving these global issues, and that the new structure will harness existing intellect in
new and improved ways to achieve this interdisciplinary integration.
ii.
Impact and Relationships
As noted earlier in this proposal, effective water management is a social imperative and water
security is increasingly recognized as a strategic national and international priority. The financial
commitment made in the CERC in Water Security represents possibly the largest investment ever in
water research at any university world-wide. This commitment reflects considerable dedication to
water security on behalf of the University, the province of Saskatchewan and the federal government.
The activities to be undertaken through the Global Institute for Water Security contribute specifically
to two of the Science and Technology priority research areas of the federal government –
“Environmental Sciences and Technologies” and Natural Resources and Energy.” Through the
Saskatchewan government’s strong financial commitment, an alignment of the proposed research
activity with provincial S & T strategies is reflected.
Correspondingly, the Global Institute for Water Security is closely aligned with the institutional
priorities of the U of S. The strategic directions articulated in Renewing the Dream (2002), are each
closely linked to the proposed Global Institute and its goals:
 Attract and retain outstanding faculty – Through the leadership of the CERC and the Global
Institute, establishment of critical mass in this signature area is well underway. In addition to the
six new faculty appointments being recruited, a significant appointment has been made in the
social science arena, with the arrival in the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy of
Professor Pat Gober, Director of a major US National Science Foundation Centre for Decision
Making Under Uncertainty.
4



Increase campus-wide commitment to research, scholarly and artistic work – Contribution to this
commitment is evidenced in the Institute’s goals and objectives as noted above.
Establish the U of S as a major presence in graduate education – Engagement with and training
of the next generation of researchers in water security is a significant component of the mandate
for the Global Institute which has funding to train approximately 48 graduate students over
seven years, and aims to develop a significantly larger cohort through leveraging additional
resources and building new internationally-focused graduate programmes.
Recruit and retain a diverse and academically promising body of students, and prepare them for
success in the knowledge age – Opportunities for engagement of students in the broad
disciplines associated with the Global Institute are extremely exciting and will positively impact
not only the graduate student body, but also undergraduate recruitment and retention. The CERC
programme will support financially the engagement of undergraduate students in research; in
addition the new CERC Faculty will contribute to a wide range of new and existing taught
programmes across the University.
The Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work Foundational Document (2004) articulated a broad
institutional goal to “build on our current and emerging strengths and traditions to increase the
intensity of research, scholarly and artistic activity over the next decade …” This institutional
commitment to research intensiveness was “understood within the evolving international, national
and local research context … expected to contribute to an increase in research, scholarly and artistic
activities across a broad spectrum of disciplines, in disciplinary, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
arrangements, and in key areas selected for their current and potential strength and their
contribution to the mission of the University.” These goals are effectively advanced through both the
CERC and the Global Institute for Water Security.
In 2010 the University identified six signature areas of research excellence and focus of which one
was broadly defined as “Water Security: Stewardship of the World’s Freshwater Resources” which
clearly links to the Institute’s focus. Connections to the other signature areas (i.e., Agriculture: Food
and Bioproducts for a Sustainable Future; Energy and Mineral Resources: Technology and Public
Policy for a Sustainable Environment) are evidenced through the thematic areas to be explored
through the CERC and Global Institute. These signature areas are enabled by the University’s
capacity, investments, history, and sense of place and reflect relevance to issues of national and
international priority, contributions to innovation, and broad and inclusive collaboration and
engagement. In the University of Saskatchewan Strategic Research Plan (October 2010), these
signature areas are referenced along with several research themes for the university. The research
themes closely related with the mandate of the Global Institute for Water Security include
Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability; Technology and Science; and Culture and
Society. As the mandate for the Global Institute broadens, connections to additional research themes
including Aboriginal Peoples and Human and Animal Health are also expected to arise. Preliminary
discussions have already taken place with relevant Faculty, and current proposals in the social
science area include engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders.
One of three priority areas articulated in the University’s Second Integrated Plan – Toward an
Engaged Institution (2008/09 – 2011/12) was enhancement of the University’s profile in research,
scholarly and artistic activities. In addition to a renewed commitment to the identification of areas of
pre-eminence, which became signature areas (as noted above); the second integrated plan also
indicated dedication to issues-based, interdisciplinary scholarship. Specifically, “The University of
5
Saskatchewan will pay particular attention to engaged and interdisciplinary scholarship, to the
development of research centres and partnerships, and to ensuring that these are linked in beneficial
ways into the whole life of the University.” The goals and objectives of the Global Institute directly
support these aims.
As noted earlier, the structure of the Global Institute is designed to provide an umbrella entity to
facilitate links across colleges, schools, departments and centres. Through the CERC program,
currently planned collaboration will include the Schools of Environment and Sustainability, Public
Health, and Public Policy, the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, the College of Engineering, in
particular the departments of Civil and Geological Engineering and Chemical and Biological
Engineering, Geological Sciences, Biology, Geography and Planning, and the Canadian Light Source,
the Toxicology Centre and the Centre for Hydrology. The new institute is also actively exploring
broader links, including the School of Public Health and the Colleges of Nursing and Medicine. It
should be noted that while the faculty appointments are being made in the first instance through the
School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), it is envisaged that these appointments will be
shared through joint appointments with other units as appropriate (e.g. Dr. Wheater has a joint
appointment between SENS and Civil and Geological Engineering).
Dr. Wheater’s high-level global research networks, arising from his extensive academic expertise
nationally and internationally in hydrology and water resources management, will inevitably result in
enhanced partnership and collaborative opportunities for the U of S. In addition, his extensive
research network and his experience developing and managing interdisciplinary research programs
will position the Global Institute for Water Security as a leading and competitive global centre of
excellence that will attract and retain outstanding researchers, students and partners across a
multitude of sectors. Across the prospective membership of the Institute, international links with
universities, government institutions and international organizations are extensive and will be actively
fostered and further developed under the new structure. Through the Global Institute, the resources
and people necessary to make the U of S a leader internationally fall into place. Attachment A-1
provides a listing that begins to outline the various internal and external collaborations and
partnerships being brought together under the framework of the Global Institute for Water Security.
iii.
Scholarly Work
University scholars and research groups will be engaged in the Global Institute through institutional
membership (described below) and through their association with one or more of the Institute’s
theme areas. Attachment A-2 provides a listing of those individuals and groups whose engagement
has been sought and/or confirmed to date. This listing also briefly articulates the expertise and/or
activities each will contribute to the Global Institute. Given the breadth of potential involvement, this
listing should not be considered to be exhaustive.
4.0 Proponents and Consultation
i.
Proponents:
The primary proponents for the establishment of the Global Institute for Water Security include:


Dr. Karen Chad, Vice-President Research;
Dr. Howard Wheater, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security and Professor in
School of Environment and Sustainability;
6





ii.
Dr. Lee Barbour, Professor of Civil and Geological Engineering;
Dr. Karsten Liber, Executive Director, School of Environment and Sustainability;
Dr. Lawrence Martz, Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research and Professor of
Geography;
Dr. Ingrid Pickering, Canada Research Chair in Molecular Environmental Science and Associate
Professor of Geological Sciences; and,
Dr. John Pomeroy, Canada Research Chair in Water Resources & Climate Change and Professor
of Geography.
Consultation:
Establishment of the Global Institute for Water Security was included as a key component of the
Phase 2 Application to the CERC Program. Extensive discussions were undertaken between Professor
Wheater and key academic staff across the full range of disciplines. Support for the proposed
institute has been enthusiastic from faculty, colleges, departments, schools and U of S senior
administration. Following the announcement in May 2010 of the University’s success in securing the
CERC in Water Security, Dr. Wheater and the Vice-President Research (VPR) have been actively
engaging individuals from across the university community and external stakeholders regarding the
development of the Global Institute for Water Security. Dr. Wheater has formed an Executive Group,
comprising senior Faculty from relevant colleges, schools, departments and centres along with the
College of Graduate Studies and Research, to advise on the development of the CERC programme
and the formation of the Global Institute. In addition, there has been an extensive set of discussions
with key personnel from the U of S, Environment Canada and other stakeholder organizations.
Attachment A-3 provides a listing of some of those individuals and groups included in the consultative
process to date. The approval process for the Global Institute has been initiated with the responses
from the Centres Subcommittee and the Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning attached
(Attachments A-4 and A-5). It is recognized that continued, ongoing consultation will be critical to the
success of the Global Institute in Water Security including liaison with senior administration across
the university.
As a proposed Type B Centre, consultation forms related to Information Technology Requirements,
Library Requirements, and Physical Resource Requirements (Space, Renovations, Equipment) have
been attached (see Attachments A-6, A-7 and A-8).
5.0 Centre Management/Governance
The Global Institute for Water Security will be led by a Director (the CERC in Water Security) and as a
Type B Centre will report directly to the Vice-President Research. It is then through the VicePresident Research, that the Global Institute for Water Security reports to the Board of Governors.
The proposed governance and management structure (further described below) for the Global
Institute has been designed with the aim to foster a collaborative, non-competitive environment
where all members are encouraged to work in partnership toward a set of common goals. Open to a
broad range of perspectives and disciplines, the Institute will facilitate and encourage broad
collaboration. By establishing a non-competitive environment, funding made available or facilitated
through the Institute will be open to all members and participation will be perceived as a net win for
the Institute and for each participant’s home college or unit.
7
All me
embers will ha
ave the opportunity to acccess the resou
urces to be m
made available
e through the
CERC grant to further the development of the Institute’s g
goals, allowin
ng for growth of faculty
research agendas without
w
drawing upon colle
ege and unit resources. An
nother incentive being
examined is the prrovision of adm
ministrative support,
s
eitheer technical orr financial, to support the
management of research progra
ams of memb
bers whose grrants are run through the IInstitute. In tthis
way, the
t Global Insstitute will tak
ke responsibility for develo
oping and ma
anaging an inttegrated research
progra
am, but crediit for that pro
ogram will circculate back to
o the units. A primary aim will be to enssure
that the management and gove
ernance of the
e Institute doees not impede a college orr department’’s
ability
y to deliver itss academic prrograms. The proposed go
overnance stru
ucture was also determine
ed
with the
t sustainabiility and legaccy of the Glob
bal Institute in
n mind beyon
nd the end of the CERC terrm.
The components of
o that structure are outline
ed below:
8
i.
Board of Directors
Members of the Board of Directors will contribute industry and political expertise and strategic
oversight to the Global Institute for Water Security. The Board will be chaired by a Board member
selected at the first annual meeting. Reporting to the VPR, the Board of Directors will provide critical
review of the Global Institute for Water Security and the CERC. Specifically, the Board of Directors
will review the mandate and status of the Global Institute for Water Security and the supporting
activities as presented by the CERC. In addition, the Board will make recommendations to the CERC
and to the University broadly on matters related to operation of the Global Institute and the
Institute’s role regionally, nationally and internationally. In the early stages (first 2-3 years), the
Board of Directors will meet twice per year with future meetings being held annually. Board members
may serve for three-year, renewable terms. Members will be proposed by the Director and Executive
Group, but appointed by the Vice-President Research (VPR). Attachment A-9 outlines proposed
membership on the Board of Directors.
ii.
Science Advisory Board
The Science Advisory Board (SAB) will consist of leading national and international scientists,
appointed by the Vice-President Research on advice from the CERC and Executive Group. The SAB
will be chaired by a member nominated by the VPR and include the CERC as an ex officio member. It
will provide strategic scientific counsel to the Global Institute for Water Security from the local,
national and international perspective. The SAB role will be to ensure the research direction of the
Global institute stays nationally and internationally relevant, that research of internationally-leading
quality is being undertaken, and to provide advice on and connection to other significant national and
international programs. Members will be selected based on their links to the theme areas of the CERC
programme and the Global Institute and will represent the broad national and international water
research community. Frequency of meetings will be determined based on scientific needs arising
from the Global Institute, but it is envisaged that the SAB should meet at least annually. Attachment
A-9 outlines proposed membership of the SAB.
iii.
Executive Group
Chaired by the Director, the Executive Group (EG) represents a core group of senior academics and
researchers, combining expertise of direct relevance to the CERC and Institute thematic programme
and broad representation from relevant Schools, Departments and Centres. The EG will include
Theme leaders (see below) and will be responsible for fostering and maintaining faculty and student
engagement across the water research community, providing strategic advice on the activities of the
Global Institute for Water Security. The Executive Group will facilitate cooperation of and coordination
between units and programs internal and external to the U of S. In addition, members of the EG will
be involved with the theme-specific working groups, as appropriate, and will assist in the
development of the research. Informal advice will also be provided to the Director through the EG.
Meetings will take place every other month or more frequently if needed. Attachment A-9 outlines
proposed membership of the Executive Group.
iv.
Theme Specific Working Groups
The CERC program focuses on three broad themes of global strategic importance for water
management, each of which has special relevance to Western Canada. These are: Theme A –
Climate change and water security, Theme B – Land-water management and environmental change,
9
and Theme C – Sustainable development of natural resources. Canadian exemplars have been
identified based on the Saskatchewan River Basin, the South Saskatchewan River to Lake
Diefenbaker, and the Alberta Oil Sands, respectively. Theme Working Groups will be established in
alignment with each of the thematic areas with theme leads for each who will be accountable for the
deliverables associated with those themes. Working groups will be supported by the institute
administration and dedicated technical support staff and will serve as the driving force behind their
respective themes, developing the CERC programmes required to deliver the new science needed in
these areas and engaging the research community broadly. Through the CERC proposal, Dr. Wheater
has planned a series of initiatives which address strategic priorities, require interdisciplinary
collaboration, and build on strengths and mutual interests of the U of S and its partners.
While linkage with key strategic stakeholders will be included at the level of the Board of Directors, at
the research project level strong engagement with relevant stakeholders is envisaged. This includes,
for example, links to the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan
Association of Watersheds, and Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and Aboriginal
Peoples.
While the CERC, by the nature of its funding, is targeted at key issues in natural science and
engineering, water security raises broader challenges for society to which the research community
must respond. Hence, led by Professor Wheater, the new Global Institute for Water Security will
provide the framework necessary to engage and develop a wider community of researchers across
the University. From these areas, additional theme working groups may arise. For example, the
Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy will be represented on the EG to advise on and
facilitate development of appropriate social science elements of the Institute programme.
v.
Management and Administrative Support
The Management Team for the Global Institute for Water Security will be responsible for the day-today activity and operations of the Global Institute. The team will meet weekly to ensure a strong
central core of administrative and management support is available. Proposed membership will
consist of the Director (the CERC), the Financial Officer, the Executive Assistant and the three theme
leads for the initial theme specific working groups. In addition, a Communications Specialist (0.5 FTE)
will be added to this Team as soon as one has been hired (scheduled for early 2011). Administrative
resources, funded through the CERC, will provide support to the broader Global Institute for Water
Security; hence no additional administrative burden will be placed on other units. Contacts for the
Global Institute for Water Security presently include:
 Howard Wheater, CERC in Water Security (howard.wheater@usask.ca or 966-1990) or
 Kate Wilson, Executive Assistant (kate.wilson@usask.ca or 966-8014).
vi.
Members / Visiting Fellows
As noted earlier in this proposal, broad engagement from across the water research community in
the Global Institute for Water Security is encouraged and membership will therefore be as inclusive
and unrestricted as possible. Membership in the Global Institute will be open to individual faculty
members, including adjunct appointments, from any discipline across campus whose research is
linked to water in some way. Institute membership will be highly inclusive and is envisaged to include
science, engineering, social science, health, and humanities. Careful consideration will be given to the
10
identification of successful ways to effectively engage the broader community internally and
externally. In addition, a number of informal research communities (i.e., College of Agriculture and
Bioresources, Department of Biology, etc.) have developed across campus with an interest in water in
some capacity as well as co-located research groups, such as Environment Canada and the
Saskatchewan Research Council. It will be a goal of the Global Institute to encourage engagement of
these groups. It is recognized that while some members will play integral roles in one or more theme
areas, others will play a more peripheral, yet still important, role. The CERC program will provide
funding for internationally-distinguished academic visitors who would be given the title of Visiting
Fellows of the Institute.
vii.
External Members / Others
At present, formal membership in the Institute will not be available to researchers who are not part
of the U of S community, although this latter community is broadly defined to include adjunct faculty.
However, a wide range of collaborative research relationships will be developed on a project-specific
basis. Stakeholder involvement is most appropriately developed at the level of the Institute’s
designated research themes, and stakeholder panels will be formed in each of these areas, for
example to provide advice regarding user needs and priorities, and on research dissemination.
However, discussions are proceeding with Environment Canada to explore the potential for
exchanges or secondments of their researchers, who could then be designated as Fellows.
viii.
Graduate Students
A future consideration for the Global Institute in Water Security will be the potential for an
interdisciplinary graduate program to develop. It is currently envisaged that this would not in the first
instance be a stand-alone graduate program. Rather, academic activities would be offered through
and in partnership with other units (i.e., School of Environment and Sustainability, Johnson Shoyama
Graduate School of Public Policy, Colleges of Engineering and Arts and Science, etc.). However,
development of a new and distinct graduate program is anticipated for Year three of the CERC
program, building on existing delivery structures. It is anticipated that such a program would be well
received by industry, which recognizes the need for highly trained researchers. Through this future
graduate program, Canadian and international students will receive unprecedented academic training
and research opportunities in holistic water science, environmental modeling and risk assessment,
and policy development, thereby training the next generation of water scientists to better ensure the
world’s water security.
6.0 Resources and Budget
i.
Resources/Budget
The seven-year CERC programme has been reviewed, approved, and funded by the federal and
provincial governments and the University at the level of $10M respectively. The CERC budget is thus
pre-defined, and is the responsibility of the CERC, with accountability variously to the three partners,
through the VPR. In particular, the University commitment of $10M has been vetted and approved by
the U of S Board of Governors. In-kind support will be made available to the Institute from the CERC
to include:

space at the National Hydrology Research Centre (NHRC) to house a central facility, including core
Faculty, research, technical and administrative support staff;
11




core administrative services, including finance and communications;
large-scale field research facilities and technical support staff, aligned with the CERC thematic
programme areas;
support to the broad Institute community for the appointment of post-doctoral researchers,
graduate students, masters students and undergraduate assistants, for interdisciplinary research
aligned with the CERC thematic programme areas; and,
support for international visitors and workshops.
Given the above, it is not envisaged that any further specific allocation of funds or in-kind resources,
beyond the existing $10M commitment to the CERC program, will be requested from the University of
Saskatchewan to support the Global Institute for Water Security. However, it is foreseen that
substantial leveraged funding will be sought elsewhere to develop those aspects of the Institute’s
research that fall outside the scope of the approved CERC research programme, in particular in the
areas of social science and health. As has been stated above, the CERC will reside within the Global
Institute as one component. Given the close relationship between the two entities, shared leadership
and the common research agendas, necessary resources will be made available to support the core
functionality of the Institute as appropriate/required. The Global Institute for Water Security will thus
not have a stand-alone budget for support functions, but instead will have access to in-kind support
through the CERC grant. No resources will be required from participating departments, schools or
colleges. However, it is envisaged that faculty who become members of the Institute will assist in the
development and direction of the Global Institute’s programme. It is also anticipated that very
substantial additional resources will be obtained for the Institute (e.g., through granting competitions
and partnerships with federal and provincial government agencies and industry).
ii.
Space Plan
Collaboration between the U of S and Environment Canada has been in existence for many years and
through the Global Institute enhancement of this strong partnership is envisioned. The core physical
presence for the Global Institute for Water Security is currently located in temporary office space
(approximately 110 square meters) within the NHRC on the U of S campus. It is anticipated that in
summer 2011 expanded office space (approximately 550 square meters) within NHRC will be made
available to the Global Institute for Water Security following a series of renovations and upgrades
supported through the CERC program. Additional laboratory and lab support space will be leased by
the U of S on a shared and prorated-bases as needs dictate. All costs associated with space within
NHRC are included in the $30M CERC budget. Location within NHRC is proving to be highly successful
with the core team collaborating closely with Environment Canada employees who have been
overwhelmingly supportive resulting in enhanced existing collaboration thus further building
Saskatoon’s reputation as a major global centre for water research.
iii.
Business Plan
Information regarding support for the Global Institute has been provided throughout the proposal. All
necessary funding to successfully support the Institute for the first 7 years exists through the CERC
program funding. Therefore the Global Institute is fully funded for years one through seven. It is
confidently expected that during Phase 1 of the Institute it will develop a strong national and
international presence, strengthen core disciplinary science, develop new interdisciplinary science,
and develop a new paradigm for integration of natural science and engineering with social science
12
and potentially with health. As noted above, it is expected that the Institute will attract very
substantial external funding to leverage the core funding, both in the thematic areas specified within
the funded CERC proposal, and in those broader areas that the Institute will embrace. These factors
will contribute to the Institute’s ability to continue and grow into the future.
It is premature to define in detail the business plan for the second phase of the Institute programme
(October 2017 – September 2024). However, it should be noted that the long-term success of the
Institute is predicated on academic leadership and continued support for core space, administrative,
financial and communication services, and technical support services including data management.
Core funding will be needed for continuation of this model and a core activity during the first seven
years will be to identify the means by which the Global Institute will become sustainable beyond that
time frame. Various options may be considered, including: a) renewal of the Federal CERC
programme b) renewal of Provincial CERC support c) donor support, and d) University support,
possibly through retention of a fixed percentage of research overhead recovery on the substantial
new external funding that is anticipated
7.0 Support
Support for the proposed Global Institute for Water Security has been articulated by the following
individuals in the attached letters of support (Attachments A-10 – A-22):
 Vice-President Research
 Deans of the following colleges:
o Agriculture and Bioresources
o Arts and Science
o Engineering
o Graduate Studies and Research
o Nursing
o Western College of Veterinary Medicine
 Executive Directors of the following schools:
o School of Environment and Sustainability
o Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
o School of Public Health
 Directors of the following centres:
o Centre for Hydrology
o Toxicology Centre
 Director General, Water Science & Technology Directorate, Environment Canada
8.0 Systematic Assessment
The systematic assessment of the Global Institute for Water Security will follow the process outlined
in the Report of the Implementation Team on the Management of Centres (February 2010) and the
internal processes as determined by the VPR. Review will be undertaken in the fourth year
(November 2014) of the Global Institute’s establishment and will recur on a five-year cycle after that
time. Year four was selected as it falls at the mid-point of the CERC seven year term, this time span
will allow sufficient opportunity for the Global Institute to develop prior to initial review, and year four
falls at the midpoint of the third planning cycle for the U of S. As with other centres reporting to the
VPR, initiation of the review process will fall to the Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR). As
has been requested of other centres in summer 2010, the Global Institute for Water Security will
submit a “snap-shot” report including pertinent details. This information can then be posted on the
13
university’s listing of centres on the university web site1 and will be used for internal compilation of
information regarding university centres. In addition, annual reports will be prepared by the Global
Institute for the VPR using the current template for centres annual reports. As a centre reporting to
the VPR the Global Institute for Water Security will become a member of the Centres Forum. Terms
of reference for this forum are available online2. Reporting to the VPR will also result in inclusion of
the Global Institute in the OVPR’s integrated planning process along with other centres who are
members of the Centres Forum.
9.0 Attachments
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Group
Attachment
A-1:
A-2:
A-3:
A-4:
A-5:
A-6:
A-7:
A-8:
A-9:
Current and Potential Collaborations
Initial List of Individuals Interested in Engagement with the Global Institute
Individuals and Groups Engaged in the Consultation Process
Response from Centres Subcommittee
Response from Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning
Information Technology Requirements for New Centre
Library Requirements for New Centre
Physical Resource Requirements for New Centre
Proposed Membership of Board of Directors, Science Advisory Board, Executive
A-10 to A-22: Letters of Support
1
2
www.usask.ca/university_secretary/centres/index.php http://www.usask.ca/vpresearch/major/centresforum.php 14
Attachment A-1: Current and Potential Collaborations
Potential1 Collaborations with Academic Units at the University of Saskatchewan:
College of Agriculture and Bioresources (Departments of Plant Sciences and Soil Science);
College of Arts and Science (Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Planning, Geological
Sciences);
College of Engineering (Departments of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Civil and Geological
Engineering);
College of Nursing;
Western College of Veterinary Medicine (Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences);
University Library;
School of Environment and Sustainability;
Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy;
School of Public Health;
Centre for Hydrology; and,
Toxicology Centre.
Current joint research collaborations of the Executive Group (external to the U of S):
In Canada:
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada: G. Bank, J. Kort
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development: J. Diiwu, A. Anderson
British Columbia Forest Service: R. Winkler
Carleton University: S. Carey
Environment Canada: G. van der Kamp, P. Marsh, B. Bonsal, R. Granger, N. Hedstrom, A. Pietroniro, D.
Verseghy, C. Spence
Ducks Unlimited Canada: L. Boychuk
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: B. Reid
McGill University: Professor M.K. Yau
McMaster University: Professor M.K. Woo
Memorial University: Professor K. Snelgrove
Natural Resources Canada: M. Demuth
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority: B. Ogema, D. Johnson
Syncrude Canada Limited (Edmonton): Audrey Lanoue
Suncor (Fort McMurray): Dr. Francis Salifu
Technical University of Nova Scotia: C. Hopkinson
University of Alberta: Professor Lee Foote
University of British Columbia: Professor D. Moore
University of Calgary: Professor Judit Smits, Professor M. Hayashi, Professor E. Johnson, Professor S.
Marshall
University of Lethbridge: Professor S. Boon
University of Manitoba: Professor R. Stewart, Professor J. Hanesiak, Professor R. Lawford
University of Northern British Columbia: Professor B. Menenous
University of Regina: Professor D. Sauchyn, Professor N. Henderson
University of Toronto: Professor S. Munro
1
The mandate of the Global Institute for Water Security encompasses a broad and diverse range of disciplines. This
list of academic units which may potentially engage with the Institute is not exhaustive and it is expected that the
range of representation of academic units will expand in the years ahead.
1
University of Waterloo: Professor George Dixon, Dr. Andrea Farrell, Professor R. Soulis, Professor J. Craig,
Professor B. Tolson
University of Windsor: Professor Jan Ciborowski
Western Watersheds Climate Research Collaborative: R. Sandford
Wilfred Laurier University: Professor W. Quinton, Professor R. Petrone
Yukon Department of Environment: R. Janowicz
In the United States:
Penn State University: Dr. Thorsten Wagener
United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service: D. Marks; G. Flertchinger
United States Department of Agriculture: Forest Service: K. Elder
University of Arizona, Tucson: Professor Hoshin Gupta
University of California, Irvine: Professor Soroosh Sorooshian
University of Idaho: Professor T. Link
University of Illinois: Professor M. Sivapalan
University of Washington: Professor D. Lettenmaier
In the United Kingdom:
Aberystwyth University: Professor B. Hubbard
Bristol University: Professor M. Tranter
British Antarctic Survey: J. King
British Geological Survey: Professor Denis Peach (Chief Scientist)
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology: Professor Brian Reynolds, Dr. Jon Finch, Professor R. Harding
Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing): S. Liu
Herriot Watt University: Professor Gary Pender
Imperial College London: Dr. Adrian Butler, Dr. Neil McIntyre, Dr. Christian Onof, Dr. Wouter Buytaert
(Prof Wheater holds positions as Distinguished Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor)
Newcastle University: Professor N. Rutter
The Queen’s University, Belfast: Dr. David Hughes
University College London: Dr. Richard Chandler
University of Edinburgh: Professor R. Essery
University of Lancaster: Professor Keith Beven, Professor Peter Young
University of Newcastle upon Tyne: Professor P. Enda O’Connell
University of Nottingham: Professor Colin Thorne
University of Oxford: Professor Paul Whitehead, Professor Mike Edmunds
University of Reading: Professor Penny Johnes, Dr. Andrew Wade
University of Swansea: Professor Ian Cluckie
Internationally:
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou: Professor Xin Li
Ghent University (Belgium): Professor Colin Janssen, Professor Karel De Schamphelaere
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore: Professor Pradeep Mujumdar
Institute of Research for Development (France): J.E. Sicart
Khartoum University: Professor Abdin Salih
Ludwig-Maximilians Universität (München): K. Schulz, M. Bernhardt
Makerere University, Uganda: Professor G. Ngirane, Max Kigobe
Meteo France: E. Brun
Russian Academy of Sciences: A. Gelfan, L. Kuchment
Spanish Ecology Institute: N. Lopez
State Hydrological Institute (Russia): Professor O. Semenova
Swiss Federal Snow Institute: T. Jonas, M. Lehning
University of Botswana: Dr. Piet Kenebatho
2
Key Research Partner Organizations with interest in collaboration:
Academia
&
Networks
Carleton U.
Dalhousie U.
Laurentian U.
McMaster U.
Memorial U.
Simon Fraser U.
Wilfred Laurier U.
U. Alberta
U. British Columbia
U. Calgary
U. Guelph
U. Lethbridge
U. Manitoba
U. New Brunswick
U. Ottawa
U. Regina
U. Toronto
U. Waterloo
U. Windsor
Clemson U. (USA)
Oregon State U. (USA)
U. Idaho (USA)
U. North Texas (USA)
U. Washington (USA)
Ghent U. (Belgium)
Roskilde U. (Denmark)
Joensuu U. (Finland)
U. Aachen (Germany)
Edinburgh U. (UK)
Aberystwyth U. (UK)
City U. (Hong Kong)
Nanjing U. (China)
Peking U. (China)
Xiamen U. (China)
Yokohama U. (Japan)
IP3: Improved Processes and
Parameterisation for Prediction in
Cold Regions
Canadian Water Network
DRI: Drought Research Initiative
International Polar Year (IPY)
Arctic Freshwater Systems:
Hydrology and Ecology
Albian Sands Energy Inc.
AMEC Earth & Environmental
AREVA Canada Inc.
Cameco Corp.
Canadian Natural Resources
Canadian Zinc
Domtar
ESSA Consultants
Golder Associates
Hatfield Consultants
Imperial Oil Ltd.
INCO
3M Corp.
Dow Chemical Co.
JD Irving Ltd.
Kilgour and Associates
North American Tungsten
Oilsands Quest Inc.
Petro-Canada Ltd.
Portt and Associates
Potash Corp. Saskatchewan
SGI Canada
Suncor Energy Inc.
Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Syngenta Inc.
Teck-Cominco
Total E&P Canada Ltd.
True North Energy
Government
Saskatchewan Agriculture & Food
Agriculture & Agrifood Canada
&
Saskatchewan Environment
Environment Canada
Organizations
Saskatchewan Research Council
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Industry
&
Private Sector
Saskatchewan Watershed
3
Authority
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Mid Saskatchewan Regional
Economic Development Authority
National Hydrology Research
Centre
Saskatchewan Environmental
Society
National Water Research Institute
Alberta Environment
Parks Canada
Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation
Administration
Alberta Water Research Institute
Western Economic Diversification
British Columbia Environment
Canadian Rockies Ice and Snow
Initiative
New Brunswick Environment
Ontario Environment
Lands and Parks Grande River
Conservation Authority
Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Western Watersheds Climate
Research Collaborative
Yukon Environment
Natural Resources Canada
Ducks Unlimited
Nature Conservancy Canada
National Operational Hydrologic
Engineering Laboratory
UN Environment Programme
UNEP GEMS/Water
UNESCO
Russian Academy of Sciences
Water Problems Institute
USDA-Agricultural Research Service
4
Attachment A-2: Initial List of Individuals Interested in Engagement with the Global
Institute
Toxicology Centre:




John Giesy,
David Janz,
Markus Hecker,
Michael Pietrock,
Centre for Hydrology:




John Pomeroy,
Cherie Westbrook,
Lawrence Martz,
Kevin Shook,
School of Environment and Sustainability:






Karsten Liber,
Maureen Reed,
Doug Clark,
Monique Dubé,
M.J. Barrett,
Paul Jones,
Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy


Pat Gober,
Jeremy Rayner,
Department of Geography:


Bob Patrick,
Dirk de Boer,
Department of Geological Sciences:


Ingrid Pickering,
Jim Hendry,
Department of Biology:


Jeff Hudson,
Jill Johnstone,
Department of Civil and Geological Engineering:




Lee Barbour,
Jim Kells,
Amin Elshorbagy,
Gordon Putz,
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering:



Todd Pugsley,
Charles Maulé,
Warren Helgason,
Department of Soil Science:







Fran Walley,
Steven Siciliano,
Bing Si,
Dan Pennock,
Ken van Rees,
Angela Bedard-Haughn,
Jeff Schoenau,
College of Nursing:

Lalita Bharadwaj
Attachment A-3: Individuals and Groups Engaged in the Consultative Process





Meetings with internal groups:
o President’s Executive Committee
o Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning
o Executive Group (noted below)
o CERC Oversight Committee
Meetings with researchers (in no particular order):
o John Pomeroy; John Giesy; Karsten Liber; Lee Barbour; Ingrid Pickering; Lawrence Martz;
Monique Dube; Dan Pennock; Fran Walley; Amin Elshorbagy; Jim Hendry; Bing Si; Bob
Patrick; Phil Marsh; Al Pietroniro; Garth van der Kamp; Alan Barr, Chris Spence, Brenda Toth,
Darwin Anderson; Cherie Westbrook; Jeff Hudson; Dirk de Boer; Angela Bedard-Haughn; Ken
van Rees; Maureen Reed; Doug Clarke; Doug Chivers; Warren Helgason; Kam Cayter;
Harvey Hill; Dave Sauchyn
o Faculty meetings - School of Environment and Sustainability; Department of Civil and
Geological Engineering
Presentations
o Ducks Unlimited; Association of Saskatchewan Watersheds; SUMA; Frontiers of Science
Lecture (College of Agriculture and Bioresources); Saskatchewan Federal Council
Retreat – On 22 October 2010 a retreat was held to discuss the vision for the Global Institute,
membership, governance, etc. Development of this centre proposal arose primarily from the
discussion that took place that day. Attendees included:
o Michael Atkinson (Chair); Howard Wheater; Lee Barbour; Pat Perry; Ingrid Pickering; John
Pomeroy; Lawrence Martz; Patricia Chamber; David Janz; Karsten Liber; Ernie Barber; Jim
Basinger
In December 2010 and January 2011, Dr. Wheater met with each of the following Deans, ViceDeans and Executive Directors to discuss collaboration with the Global Institute:
o Peta Bonham-Smith, Vice-Dean (Science), Arts and Science; Mary Buhr, Agriculture and
Bioresources; Douglas Freeman, Western College of Veterinary Medicine; Lorna Butler,
Nursing; Robert Buckingham, Public Health
Attachment A-4
MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Howard Wheater, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security and Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability and Department of Civil and Geological Engineering Bob Tyler, Chair, Centres Subcommittee and Chair, Planning and Priorities Committee of Council DATE: January 24, 2011 RE: Global Institute for Water Security ______________________________________________________________________________________ I am writing on behalf of the Centres Subcommittee to express our enthusiastic support for the establishment of the Global Institute for Water Security as a Type B centre reporting to the Vice‐
President Research. As you have stated very effectively in the proposal, the Institute is a good fit with the strategic directions, institutional priorities and signature research areas of the University, and will enable researchers campus wide to connect with the opportunities associated with the University being awarded a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC). In response to the thorough discussion at the meeting, the following motion was carried: “That the centres subcommittee supports the concept of introducing a Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan.” The role of the centres subcommittee is to facilitate the creation of new centres by reviewing the academic intent and financial integrity of the centre and making suggestions to clarify or strengthen the proposal. Accordingly, I wanted to reiterate the following points raised at the meeting so that these can be considered, along with other minor points raised, as you prepare the final version of the proposal for consideration by the Planning and Priorities Committee (P&PC) and, ultimately, Council. 1. Members of the P&PC and of Council undoubtedly will be interested in the source of the University’s $10 million contribution. As was discussed at the meeting, it may be best to address this in the proposal by referring to the University having committed $10 million to the CERC initiative, and stating that the Institute proposal per se does not require any funding from the University beyond this. A letter of support for the establishment of the Institute will be required from the Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP). Continued…/ Global Institute for Water Security 2.
The P&PC and Council will be interested in “what happens after seven years”, i.e. after the funds associated with the CERC have been expended. You will recall that it was the recommendation of the Centres Subcommittee that this not be addressed in a specific fashion, e.g. an estimate of the specific amount of funding required should not be provided, and instead a brief description of some of the options should be provided. These could include renewal of the CERC and the provision of funds to sustain the Institute from the University’s operating budget. 3. The terminology “CERC faculty appointments” is inaccurate and should be corrected. 4. The diagram depicting the governance structure for the Institute requires some modifications. 5. The usage of the term “endowment” in the proposal may be confusing to readers who are more accustomed to its use in describing an invested sum of money, only the earnings from which are available for expenditure. 6. It is recommended that letters of support from the College of Graduate Studies, the College of Engineering, and the College of Arts and Science be included with the final proposal. As I indicated at the meeting, the P&PC could consider the proposal for the establishment of the Institute at its meeting on February 9th. We would appreciate having the proposal available for review by the Committee by the end of the week previous. If necessary, the P&PC could consider the proposal further at its meeting on March 2nd. This would still enable inclusion of the proposal in the package for the March Council meeting, the deadline for which will be March 8th. I wish you every success in the establishment of the Institute. Please don’t hesitate to contact Jean Goldie or me if you have questions regarding any aspect of the centres approval process. Sincerely, __________________________________ Bob Tyler c K. Chad, Vice‐President Research B. Fairbairn, Provost and Vice‐President Academic and Chair, PCIP K. Wilson, Executive Assistant, CERC in Water Security Centres Subcommittee of the Planning and Priorities Committee Page 2 Attachment A-6
Attachment A-7
Attachment A-8
Physical Resources Requirements for Global Institute for Water Security
A. Capital and Infrastructure – Summary of Needs:
1. The operational core of the Global Institute for Water Security will be physically located at the
National Hydrology Research Centre (NHRC) at Innovation Place to maximize the strategic
investment of capital funding; to enable the development of a critical mass of expertise and
operations; and to strengthen the collaborative efforts between the University of Saskatchewan
(U of S) and Environment Canada (EC).
2. Dedicated office and support space will be leased by the U of S for the Institute at the NHRC
effective October 1, 2010. Approximately 110 square metres of office space is being leased on
an interim basis from EC for the period of October 1, 2010 until September 1, 2011.
3. Effective July 1, 2011, 550 square metres of office space will become permanently available to
the University.
4. Additional laboratory and lab support space will be leased by the University on a shared and
prorated-basis as needs dictate. It is expected that this space will be used on a
shared/common basis with EC.
5. Existing University facilities and equipment will also be available for utilization by the Institute
including Aquatic Toxicology (Professor Giesy), Centre for Hydrology (Professor Pomeroy) and
other facilities dispersed across campus.
6. Discussions are currently underway with both EC and the Saskatchewan Research Council
(SRC) to determine “in-kind” contributions that would be made available to the University
including research lab space, support space, services, and equipment.
7. Field Research Sites – A number of Field Research Sites will be established in Saskatchewan
and Alberta.
1. Space and Equipment
Space – Interim Office Space
Description: Approximately 110 square metres of office space will be leased from Environment
Canada from October 1, 2010 until permanent space can be made available (anticipated in
September of 2011 following leasehold improvements). This space will be sufficient to
accommodate Professor Wheater and the initial support staff and faculty until such time that
the permanent office space becomes available.
Space – Permanent Office Space
Description: As of July 1, 2011, a contiguous block of approximately 550 square metres of
office space will be made available to the U of S by EC. It is expected that occupancy of the
space will occur on September 1, 2011 following the completion of modest renovations to make
the space functional and efficient for the needs of the Institute. The space will accommodate
core operations of the Global Institute for Water Security and will consist of office space for
Professor Wheater, six new faculty positions, 11 administrative and technical staff, 16 graduate
students and 10 post doc fellows, along with associated office service space. The design and
coordination of leasehold improvements for this space is being undertaken by Facilities
Management. A formal lease agreement between EC and the U of S will be developed through
Corporate Administration.
Space – Shared/Common Space
Description: The NHRC contains several functions and services that are centrally managed by
EC and operated as shared/common facilities. The Institute would benefit from having access
to these common spaces and associated equipment. Examples include: Geographical
Information Systems, Walk-In Cold Rooms, Basic Wet Research Labs, Machine Shop,
Equipment Staging Areas, Videoconferencing, Meeting Rooms, Cafeteria and Library.
Space – Dispersed Space
Description: Although the core of the program will be physically located at the NHRC, it is
projected that only 1/3 of the Masters and PhD graduate students will be located at that site.
The remaining 2/3 (estimated at 32 in total) will be physically located within colleges and units
at the main UofS campus. Of the 20 postdoctoral fellows within the program ½ will be located
at the NHRC and the other ½ at the main U of S campus.
Existing facilities and equipment located at the main U of S campus will also be available for the
program so as to promote efficiency and avoid duplication of equipment and services.
Discussion is also being held with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to determine the
availability of and access to facilities and equipment.
Research Equipment
Description: Specific equipment needs for the program will be developed in association with
the growth of the research activities and the hiring of new faculty. As much as possible,
equipment currently available at the UofS, EC, and the SRC will be utilized to avoid duplication
of equipment and operations/services.
2. Information Technology
Description: It will be necessary for Professor Wheater and the program to have access to the
UofS campus computer network as well as the University telephone system. All staff will
require the basic computing needs essential for conducting academic, research and support
activities including desktop computers, laptops and printers. The determination and acquisition
of computer equipment, computer server requirements, and computer security, as well as the
coordination of access to the University’s computer network and telephone system is being
undertaken by Information Technology Services.
Software and data requirements include Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software,
supplemented with high resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data and satellite
imagery. The software will be included under the existing UofS site license. The imaging data
will be purchased as required. Software required for data analysis and simulations will be
acquired to match the needs of individual projects. Productivity software, such as Microsoft
Office, are being purchased with the desktop computers.
3. High Performance Computing
Description: High Performance Computing Access will be required which is currently available
at the U of S. A computer modeling lab will be developed. Requirements include a parallel
processor computer cluster, suitable end user computers and networking. Currently, there is
appropriate space available at either the NHRC or the UofS (the High Performance Computing
Research Facility) to house the computer cluster.
4. Field Research Sites and Equipment
Description: A number of field research sites will be located throughout Saskatchewan and
Alberta. The sites will house distributed arrays of field equipment with intense instrumentation.
Data will be telemetered back to Saskatoon. The instruments will be serviced by a team of six
technicians with vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. These will include:
Field Sites #1 – Athabasca Oils Sands
Field Sites #2 – Rocky Mountain headwater catchments
Field Sites #3 – Prairie experimental sites, including St Denis, Kenaston, Smith Creek and
various agricultural research sites
Field Sites #4 – Boreal Ecosystem Research and Monitoring Sites (BERM) - Smeaton, SK)
Field Sites #5 – Various lake sites, including Lake Diefenbaker
5. Field Transportation
Description: Various types of vehicles will be required to ensure dependable and safe yearround access to the field sites including: Trucks (3); Snowmobiles (6); All-Terrain Vehicles (6).
B. Capital Governance Model: Prior to the arrival of Professor Wheater, a Capital and
Infrastructure Working Group, reporting to the CERC Oversight Committee, was established to
identity and address the space, information technology, and equipment needs for Professor
Wheater and the Water Security program.
Membership of this Working Group includes:
Bryan Bilokreli – Institutional Planning and Assessment
James Cook – Corporate Administration
Colleen Macdonald – Facilities Management
Darlene Machibroda – Facilities Management
Ian MacPhedran – Information Technology Services
Lawrence Martz – Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research
Pat Perry – Office of the Vice-President Research
Trevor Robertson, Facilities Management
Sue Verhille-Long, Financial Services
Professor Wheater (upon his arrival)
Attachment A-9: Proposed Membership
Board of Directors (15 members):
 Four representatives of Senior Administration at the University of Saskatchewan as follows:
o Vice-President Research or designate
o Provost and Vice-President Academic or designate
o Dean, College of Graduate Studies and Research
o Dean/Executive Director, College/School associated with the Global Institute (rotating)

Two senior representatives from Industry and Non-Governmental Organizations
o Will request representation at the Vice-President level
o Possible industry representation from Syncrude Canada Ltd.; Ducks Unlimited; Manitoba
Hydro; Shell; Cameco Corporation; Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, etc.

Two senior representatives from federal government (i.e., Environment Canada, Agriculture
Canada)
o Will request representation at the Assistant Deputy Minister level

Two senior representatives from Saskatchewan government (i.e., Saskatchewan Watershed
Authority, Sask Water, Saskatchewan Environment)
o Will request representation at the Assistant Deputy Minister level

One senior representative from another Western Canadian province linked to the Global Institute;
provincial representation will be on a two-year rotation

Two representatives of University of Saskatchewan faculty as elected by members of the Global
Institute (described below)
o Until an election can be held, interim representation by John Pomeroy and Karsten Liber

One graduate student representative (two-year rotation)

Ex officio: Howard Wheater, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security
Science Advisory Board (5 members plus Director):
 One international scientific representative associated with each of the three CERC thematic areas;
others to be appointed as new thematic programmes develop. All should be internationally
leading experts. Appointments will aim to include representation from both Europe and the USA
 Two representatives well positioned to provide broad, scientific expertise and guidance at the
international level - Water experts of significant reputation (either Canadian or international)
Executive Group (8 members):
 Director, (Howard Wheater (CERC))
 Department of Geography (John Pomeroy)
 Department of Civil and Geological Engineering (Lee Barbour)
 College of Graduate Studies and Research (Lawrence Martz)
 School of Environment and Sustainability (Karsten Liber)
 Department of Geological Sciences and Canadian Light Source (Ingrid Pickering)
 Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (Patricia Gober)
 College of Agriculture and Bioresources (Dan Pennock)
Attachment A-10
Attachment A-11
Januaryy 16, 2011
Dear Drr Wheater,
griculture & Bioresourcces supportss the concep
pt of the pro
oposed Globbal
The College of Ag
c
thereeby defining
g itself as a cross-Colleege
Institutee for Water Security ass a Type B centre,
entity thhat fosters collaborativ
c
ve research and
a interdissciplinarity.
The College of Ag
griculture annd Bioresouurces would have many
y obvious coonnections and
a
opportuunities for coollaborationn within succh a centre. Our work on
o soil and water
w
manaagement,
developpment of dro
ought- and flood-resisttant crops, aand land maanagement systems
s
inclluding
irrigatioon, riparian (on the bannks of a boddy of water) production
n zones, andd land reclam
mation
are eviddent areas of connection. Run-off from croplaands and aniimal producction facilitiies are
equally-important but
b possiblee less obvioous points off connection
n, as are thee policy issuues
surrounnding provinncial and intternational boundaries,
b
, trade barriiers, rights, and treatiess. The
Collegee of Agricullture and Bioresources is also deepply involvedd in many aspects
a
of
adaptatiion to climaate variationn, includingg water issuees, and this aspect will be featuredd in our
2012 Coollege Integ
grated Plan.
Certainly these connnections annd collaboraations are possible withhout a Centrre. Howeveer,
having a Centre raiises the profile of Wateer Security, enhancing the prominence of the area
locally, nationally and internaationally. Th
he Web-based world will find a Ceentre more readily
r
than it w
would find any
a one researcher or programme,
p
, and will inncrease the opportunitiees for
new colllaborationss. Furthermoore, a Centrre will proviide a vehiclle to featuree the many
excellennt programm
mes and peoople linked to the Univversity of Saaskatchewann, further
celebratting the actiivities in thiis crucial arrea.
or Water Seecurity.
We suppport the prooposal for a Type B Ceentre Globall Institute fo
Yours ttruly,
Mary M Buhr, PhD
D
Dean & Professor
Attachment A-12
Attachment A-13
Attachment A-14
Collegee of Graduate S
Studies and Ressearch
1007 Administrationn Place
Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S77N 0V6
25 Januarry 2011
Dr. Howaard Wheater
Canada Excellence Ressearch Chair in Water Secu
urity
School off Environment and Sustainaability
University
y of Saskatch
hewan
Dear Dr. Wheater:
W
I am writiing on behalf of the Colleg
ge of Graduatee Studies andd Research to express our sstrong supporrt for
the proposed Global Centre for Watter Security att the Universiity of Saskatcchewan.
ointment to a Canada Exceellence Reseaarch Chair (CE
ERC) and this proposal forr a research ccentre
Your appo
focussed on
o water are significant
s
miilestones for our
o Universitty. They contiinue a long hiistory of
engagemeent in water reesearch; engaagement rooteed in our tradiition of suppoorting agricultture in a semiiarid
landscapee, expressed in
n the relocatio
on of the Natiional Hydroloogy Researchh Centre to Innnovation Placce,
reflected in
i the global reputation
r
of the Centre off Toxicology and continueed in our comm
mitment of
Canada Research
R
Chairs to water an
nd water-relatted initiativess. The people of this provinnce have a deep
appreciatiion of the esseential role of water in sustaaining humann society and,, with the creaation of this
Centre, will
w see their University
U
tak
ke a leadership
p role in addrressing the gloobal challenge of water
security.
ng you and yo
our colleaguees to rise to thhat challenge. I am impresssed
The Centrre will be critical to enablin
by its incllusive and intterdisciplinary
y nature and by
b the way it draws togethher scholars annd scientists ffrom
across ourr university an
nd beyond. Itt will help to build
b
the briddges between social and phhysical sciencces
that are so
o important to
o securing ourr global waterr future. The Centre can bee a flagship oof the Universsity,
demonstraating our pre--eminence in water researcch and providiing a focal pooint for nationnal and
international collaborattions.
I took speecial note of th
he prominentt place of und
dergraduate, ggraduate and ppost-graduate training in yoour
vision forr the Centre. You
Y will be su
upporting the research actiivities of 24 M
Masters’ studeents and 24 P
PhD
students, along
a
with more than 20 postdoctoral
p
feellows and 455 undergraduaate students. T
This will advaance
our researrch program and
a help estab
blish the Univ
versity as a m
major presencee in graduate education.
I am pleassed to confirm
m our strong support
s
for th
he Global Cenntre for Waterr Security andd look forward to
working with
w you to heelp realize its outstanding potential.
p
Sincerely,,
Dr. Lawreence W. Marttz
Dean, Colllege of Graduate Studies and
a Research
h
Offfice of the Dean
Room
m 242 Administratioon Building, 105 Addministration Place
Tel: 306-9966-5759 | Fax: 306-966-5756 | Emaiil: L.Martz@USask .CA
Attachment A-16
Office of the Dean
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
______________________________________________________________________________________
52 Campus Drive
Saskatoon SK S7N 5B4 Canada
Telephone: (306) 966-7448
Facsimile: (306) 966-7314
December 19, 2010
Dr. Howard Wheater
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security
University of Saskatchewan
Dear Dr. Wheater:
We write to express our support for the formation of the Global Institute for Water Security as a
Type B Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. We believe that the proposed Institute will be
a platform for interdisciplinary research in many aspects of water security including those related
to animal and human health.
The College faculty has many active research programs with direct linkage to the University’s
identified signature areas of One Health: Solutions at the Animal-Human-Environment Interface
and Water Security. For example, the College faculty including Dr. John Giesy, a Canada
Research Chair, have research programs in the area of water ecosystems. The College
researchers actively participate in campus-wide interdisciplinary research programs such as
those based in the Toxicology Center, and will be ready to engage in interdisciplinary research
through the proposed Water Security Institute.
The WCVM is also a lead on the University’s International Partnership Project to develop
collaboration between the Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Punjab (India) and the
University of Saskatchewan in the area of public health and environmental toxicology. Therefore,
the College will also be interested in international research collaborations facilitated through the
proposed Institute.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Baljit Singh, Associate Dean (Research)
Douglas Freeman, Dean
Attachment A-17
Attachment A-18
www.schoolofpublicpolicy.sk.ca
University of Saskatchewan campus
101 Diefenbaker Place
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B8 Canada
January 17, 2011
Professor Howard Wheater
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security
School of Environment and Sustainability
University of Saskatchewan
Dear Professor Wheater:
On behalf of the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, I write to extend the School’s strong support for the
creation of the Global Institute for Water Security. I have read the proposal closely and am very impressed with the reach
and balance that you and your colleagues envision in the outlined agenda.
On the matter of reach, your proposal is exceptionally inclusive of research programs currently underway at the University
of Saskatchewan. The Institute promises to support those programs and enhance their impact. The Institute will be
instantly connected to water security researchers around the world and all involved will benefit from those contacts. Your
research chair is a major asset in this regard, but like you, I believe that an institute with a wider agenda is what is required
to both lever your own contributions and to ensure that others, many of whom have supported the concept from the
beginning, will achieve recognition for their own work.
The current proposal is also exceptionally well balanced in disciplinary terms. The Institute will provide a forum in which
researchers from a variety of traditions can come together to confront a common set of problems, learn from one another,
and construct interdisciplinary agendas. The Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School is delighted to be included among
intended participants. Your proposal correctly observes that policy and governance issues are critical to resolving our many
water dilemmas. The School is eager to lend its expertise and to benefit from contact with others.
Concretely, we are in a position to assist in the logistics of conferences and symposia using the resources of our Outreach
and Training Unit and our governmental contacts across the country. And, because the School is a joint undertaking of the
province’s two universities, we can provide the Institute with bridging to researchers interested in water issues who are
located at the University of Regina. In that way, the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School can assist in marshaling the
province’s academic resources in the water area.
I am pleased to see that the Institute proposal envisages a role for the School on the executive team that you are putting
together. If this comes to pass, we will welcome the opportunity to participate fully in developing the Institute’s research
program and meeting its goals.
In short, my colleagues and I are completely supportive of your efforts and wish you the very best in steering the Institute
through the approval process. Let me know if we can be of further assistance.
Yours truly,
Michael Atkinson
Executive Director
MMA/alm
The Johnson‐Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, with campuses at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan, is an interdisciplinary centre for public policy research, teaching, outreach and training. Attachment A-19
School of Public Health
107 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon SK S7N 5E5 Canada
Telephone: (306) 966-8544
Facsimile: (306) 966-7920
Email: school.publichealth@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/sph
Dr. Howard Wheater Canada Excellence Research Chair in Water Security University of Saskatchewan National Hydrology Research Centre 11 Innovation Boulevard Saskatoon SK S7N 3H5 January 13, 2011 Re: Letter of support for the Global Institute for Water Security Dear Dr. Wheater, I am strongly supportive of the Global Institute for Water Security as a Type B centre. The School of Public Health supports the establishment and continued connections and collaborative opportunities between the Global Institute and our School of Public Health. The Global Institute for Water Security is a critical arena of interest for the School of Public Health as the School is concerned about ensuring the safety of drinking water supply through the use of a comprehensive risk assessment approach that encompasses all steps in water supply, from catchment to consumer. The University of Saskatchewan School of Public Health is consistently working towards prevention of disease nationally and internationally. The School of Public Health is committed to necessary equitable, affordable access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries as well as Canada. Ultimately, the benefits from such an Institute would enable this province and country to move forward in a very important Public Health arena which would be a wonderful addition to the global community. In conclusion, I fully support this meaningful and necessary Global Institute for Water Security. Sincerely, Dr. Robert W. Buckingham Executive Director School of Public Health University of Saskatchewan Attachment A-20
21 January, 2011
Centres Sub-committee
University of Saskatchewan
RE: Letter of Support for the Global Institute for Water Security.
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
This is a letter of strong support for the Global Institute for Water Security. The Centre for Hydrology
provides a focus and catalyst for hydrological research at the University of Saskatchewan. The Centre
is a university research cluster designed to bring together academic, graduate student, postdoctoral
and allied government research staff for research, training and outreach on hydrological issues of local
and global importance and to coordinate the University presence in hydrology. It has managed to lead
several international research programmes from U of S in cold regions hydrology, polar hydrology,
hydrological prediction and drought. However there is a need for a broader university research and
coordination in water and the proposed Global Institute for Water Security provides exactly this
leadership and coordination potential. GIWS is a way to capitalize on the investment in the CERC in
Water Security to provide broader benefits to the university community.
Several senior members of the Centre for Hydrology have been involved in the proposal for GIWS and
are strongly supportive of it. It is envisioned that the Centre for Hydrology will contribute to GIWS by
providing a hydrological sciences focal point at the University and by working closely with GIWS to
expand the implications of hydrology to broader interdisciplinary water issues and helping promote
graduate student training in the water sciences. The Centre will greatly benefit from GIWS through the
resources it will place in water studies, including hydrology, across campus and by the increased critical
mass in the strategic area of water.
Yours truly,
Professor John Pomeroy,
Director, Centre for Hydrology
Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change
Tel: 306-966-1426
306-966-1427
Centre for Hydrology
University of Saskatchewan
117 Science Place
Saskatoon, Sask., Canada S7N 5C8
john.pomeroy@usask.ca http://www.usask.ca/hydrology
Page 1 of 1
Fax: 306-966-1428
Attachment A-21
Attachment A-22