The overall objective of the proposed project is to enhance the technical proficiency of Indonesian University staff at Jambi (West Sumatra) and Mulawarman (East Kalimantan) Universities by transmitting methodologies and knowledge on integrated water resources management (IWRM) at river basin scale.
Emphasis will be placed on an ecosystem approach to sustainable management of all water resources within the target basins including water courses and associated peatlands and mangroves. This approach will improve an understanding on natural resources management of a changing environment creating awareness amongst academics, and consequent information dissemination to local and regional stakeholders within the target regions, contributing in this way to sustainable livelihoods and economic development.

The specific purpose is to promote regional and multilateral networking between higher education institutions in Europe and Asia. More specifically, the project seeks to upgrade and enhance the skills and mobility of teaching/research staff and postgraduate students to promote the exchange of experience and to encourage mutual knowledge and the recognition of study programs.

Two groups will be targeted within this project:

1. Indonesian researchers (part of the staff at the partner universities or of the institutions in their local and regional networks), who will be integrated into a European network enabling them to increase the impact of their scientific work.
2. Postgraduate Masters/PhD students who will become the leading force in this area. They will be integrated into networks through joint thesis supervision, postgraduate student exchanges and innovative teaching/training sessions.

In summary, this project aims to:

1. Upgrade and enhance skills and expertise of postgraduate students and university staff on hydrological and ecological functioning of tropical water and lowland resources at the river basin scale and as a component of an IWRM;
2. Strengthen networks of excellence within Asia (Jambi and Mulawarman Universities, Indonesia) and Europe (Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands and University of Leicester, U.K.) through scientific cooperation and exchange of experience built on existing projects;
3. Promote student and teacher mobility and portability of skills and academic credentials;
4. Enhance a core of skilled scientists to keep abreast of cutting-edge research conducted on integrated water resources management;
5. Promote the use of Remote Sensing techniques as a component for research and teaching modules;
6. Develop innovative educational methods and novel technologies (distance e-learning, virtual library, etc.) to improve quality of teaching and learning, and;
7. Strengthen the country's institutional capacity to identify and implement efficient management of river basins in a framework of environmental sustainability, social equity and economic efficiency.