Villa College has positioned itself at the forefront of addressing water and marine resource challenges unique to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). On 14 December 2024, the Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI) hosted the Seminar on Integrated Management of Small Island Water and Marine Resources. This event, a key initiative under the 3S Water Project, underscored the importance of sustainable solutions in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
The seminar brought together diverse stakeholders, including water experts, government officials, non-governmental organisations, community leaders, and academic representatives. The gathering fostered a collaborative exchange of knowledge and innovation tailored to the needs of small islands. Delegates from multiple SIDS participated, enhancing the seminar’s regional impact and affirming its role as a critical platform for addressing shared environmental challenges.
Adding depth to the event, three Masters of Public Health (MPH) students from Villa College’s Faculty of Health Sciences presented their final dissertations. Supported by the 3S Water Project Scholarship, their research focused on integrated water resource management and its implications for public health and environmental resilience. Their findings provided innovative solutions to critical issues affecting SIDS and contributed significantly to the seminar’s agenda.
The students’ research demonstrated how academic excellence can directly address real-world challenges. Their participation highlighted Villa College’s commitment to fostering impactful research and supporting the global sustainability agenda. By bringing together academia, policy, and practice, the seminar served as a testament to the collective efforts required to build resilience and improve the quality of life in small island communities.
Through initiatives like the 3S Water Project and events such as this seminar, Villa College continues to lead in advancing sustainable strategies to manage water and marine resources effectively, reinforcing its role as a key contributor to regional and global sustainability goals.
