It remains of utmost importance to solve the challenges we are facing in an integrative manner. For this we need an interdisciplinary knowledge ecosystem in which knowledge is continuously developed (innovate), used (applied) and disseminated (made available). This will provide our clients, stakeholders and partners with game-changing strategies, actionable solutions and innovative tools to tackle the future societal challenges they are facing all over the world.
With experts from both countries we provide insights of what might be missing in the current climate resilience policies and programs and what is needed to bring these to the next level.
Framework of cooperation
We aim for an open exchange of knowledge and capacity, which is why we work closely with governments, industry, other research institutes, universities and NGO’s. We support long-lasting public-private partnerships, as we know that these will encourage the development of out-ofthe-box solutions and new technologies. These collaborations also guarantee a rapid uptake of scientific developments and scientifically sound advice.
Innovate – Knowledge ecosystems
Our joint projects aim to fill knowledge gaps, develop novel technologies and address uncertainties in the physical and social-economic domain. To know what these knowledge gaps are we first investigate what knowledge is required and what knowledge is already available both within the alliance and with our partners, stakeholders and clients.
This holistic approach by itself stimulates strong multidisciplinary networks and integrated work, that connects output of all parties and reduces individualistic research silos.
NUS’ high level scientific research and field experience and its innate understanding of the Singapore physical and institutional context is of great benefit to the projects and programs executed by the alliance. This high-level fundamental research provides new concepts and tools – presented in scientific or position papers and at conferences, that can be applied in Deltares projects worldwide.
Apply – Learning by doing
Knowledge should be used, as it has no value sitting on the shelf. Doing so, we can improve our products as well as to evaluate its applicability. The alliance benefits from Deltares’ international experience in applying scientific knowledge to develop state-of-the-art software, models, tools and technologies to generate solutions for societal problems and solid analysis and advice for governments and industry.
Not all scientific developments can be immediately used in actual design and planning, as often its readiness is not yet sufficiently proven, or its use has not yet been demonstrated in local environments and context. This is where learning by doing or evidence-based design are important. By testing in a staged approach – lab scale, full-scale facilities and field experiments or pilots, solutions can mature in design. By executing and monitoring so called Living Labs, i.e. experiments that are shaped and integrated in existing landscapes using systems understanding, the uncertainties of the implementation of for example Nature-based Solutions can be significantly reduced.
Educate – next generation water experts
We believe that knowledge should be shared freely, inside and outside of our network. More importantly, the latest knowledge, models and tools should be available and accessible to all, to be able to tackle the urgent societal challenges, no matter where you come from.
Through extensive knowledge exchange during the projects, training courses at Deltares and NUS, education and joint supervision of (PhD-) students and post-docs, NUS and Deltares continuously learn from each other and their partners. Together we build capacity and train the next generation of water experts to face the challenges of the future.