International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC Water)
Who are we and what do we stand for?
The International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC Water) is a strategic research, training and higher education centre established at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Mindful of the increasing importance of applied hydrology and its contribution to the management of increasingly scarce global water resources, CSU formed the Hydrology Research Group in 2005. The group's contribution to the improvement of integrated water resource management within rural, peri-urban and irrigation communities both in Australia and internationally was recognised when the Group became an independent strategic research centre within the University: International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC Water).
Scientifically, the key area of interest is to study the hydrology of agricultural water systems which are under stress and the societal responses (socio-economic, technical and governance) to this stress to overcome production and environmental issues. The Centre works on national and international water problems, seeking local solutions for global impacts. It also endeavours to assist development of appropriate policies and practices for environmentally sustainable and economically viable food production. International networking among scientists and the transfer of information and new scientific knowledge to stakeholders and the general public has been a key to its success.
Recognition for Excellence in Applied Research
IC Water has been recognised for its excellence in the development of strategic and applied hydrological research, and the creation of new knowledge. In September 2007 IC Water research team was awarded the nationally renowned Eureka Prize for Water Research and Innovation for significantly advancing the sustainable management of Australia's water resources, specifically within the irrigation sector.