Knowledge network development in water resources and irrigation management: the case of CKNet‐INA in Indonesia

Abstract

AbstractThe national water reform in Indonesia requires capable individuals and institutions for water management at national, regional and local level, and an external environment that enables institutions and individuals to perform according to stakeholders' expectations. Universities, research and study centres, and other knowledge centres (capacity builders) can play a strategic role as national human resources development instruments in providing education, training, assistance and guidance to support the needed competences.In 2005, 10 universities in Indonesia from Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra founded CKNet‐INA, a knowledge network with the objective to collaborate as a sustainable academic and professional community in the area of infrastructure, water and environment. On the basis of a demand‐oriented approach, selected capacity is strengthened in the universities, and effective capacity‐building services are developed and delivered in support of decentralized water resources management.From the experiences and lessons learned it is argued that knowledge network development is a feasible approach to enhance sustainable capacity building if: water sector knowledge needs are explicitly addressed with the sector; a network development strategy includes the delivery of cost recovering services; the management and governance of the network concentrate on building up trust while maintaining quality criteria. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.