Trent University hosted esteemed international guests for UN World Water Day on March 22, 2011.
Trent chancellor Dr. Tom Jackson and president and vice-chancellor Dr. Steven E. Franklin were on hand to welcome representatives of The Netherlands back to the Peterborough region, as the Dutch consul-general and business representatives came to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster and the Regional Development Agency East Netherlands (Oost NV), formally acknowledging a collaborative research partnership for the future. Colleagues from the Netherlands witnessed the signing of the MOU via Skype technology.
“Ontario and the Netherlands share interests in the green economy and sustainable development. The memorandum that we are signing today represents the economic potential between our two countries,” said Dutch consul-general Airie Pleiger.
Dianne Lister, vice-president of External Relations and Advancement addressed the delegates. “Trent University has been a leader in the environment, water studies and aquatic sciences since its inception in 1964. You are in the company of a university community with diverse, interdisciplinary expertise that is committed to this vital area of research.”
The day’s activities built on Trent’s renowned interdisciplinary teaching and research in water science and water-related issues. The delegates were taken on a tour of the Water Quality Centre and then attended the Political Studies Research Day panel discussion “Canada, Global Warming and the Political Economy of Fossil Fuel Dependents.”
The research panel was co-hosted by Trent’s Centre of Knowledge in the Environment, the programs of which embody Trent’s commitment to the environment and exemplify its interdisciplinary nature. Trent leaders in this Centre focus on the study of climate change, water science, biomaterials, sustainable agriculture, ecology and conservation biology.
In the evening, the Dutch contingent joined Dr. Jackson on a visit to the Canadian Canoe Museum, for a guided tour provided by curator Jeremy Ward and general manager John Summers.
For background on the UN World Water day visit: http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/
Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2011.