In commemoration of World Water Day on March 22 and World Meteorological Day on March 23, a presentation was organized by the Ministry of Public Works, supported by the GCCA+ phase 2 project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This presentation aimed to raise awareness among the students at the Nature Technical Institute (NATIN) and students at the Polytechnic College Suriname (PTC) of the Hydro-Meteorology course. The subjects at this workshop were: sustainable management of water resources, water quality and water level in Suriname, impact of climate change in Suriname, the contribution of different meteorological research and obtained meteorological data for the security of our country. With these subjects the students can easily make the link with the practical application of their field of study and the Hydro-Met departments of the Ministry.

The aforementioned subjects were presented by representatives of the Departments of Hydraulics Service Suriname (WLA) and Meteorological Service Suriname (MDS).

The WLA department also gave a demonstration of measuring water quality using a Hydro lab HL4 (a multiparameter water quality instrument) of the Mottonshoop canal. Temperature and acidity (pH) were a few of the parameters that were measured.   Afterwards, the students were given a tour of the main MDS building where a practical exhibition was conducted of satellite meteorological instruments in the field to receiving and processing the data for weather forecasts and other purposes. 

With this workshop, the Ministry of Public Works wants to increase the awareness of climate change and its link to water and water management, among the students so they remain motivated to continue to study Hydro-Meteorology.