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Celebrating the success of the Entura clean energy and water institute’s latest dam safety program
17 October, 2023
The Entura clean energy and water institute is celebrating the success of its latest dam safety training program for an international delegation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-supported training was delivered as part of the South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) initiative. Over the last two weeks, 21 senior engineers and executives with roles in water and hydropower organisations from the government and private sector in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, have taken part in the tailored course.
The group travelled to Hobart, Tasmania for the program, which included both classroom learning and several on-site visits to Tasmania’s key dams and hydropower assets, including Trevallyn, Miena, Meadowbank, Upper Reservoir and Craigbourne dams, and Poatina Power Station.
Over the course of two weeks, they were taught industry-leading dam safety principles and practice from some of Entura’s most experienced dams specialists. This included sessions by our Director, Water, Richard Herweynen, our Senior Principal, Dams & Headworks, Paul Southcott, Dr Tapan Mukhopadhyay, our India-based Principal Consultant, Geotechnical Engineering, and Team Leader, Dams & Geotech, Mike Budahazy.
They also took part in networking sessions with representatives from TasWater, Hydro Tasmania, the Tasmanian Department of State Growth, Tas Irrigation and UGL, among others.
“We’re proud to celebrate another successful training through Entura’s dedicated training arm, the Entura clean energy and water institute,” said ECEWI Project Coordinator, Leesa deGroot.
“Not only did participants learn invaluable skills to support capability building in their respective organisations and regions, they also had the opportunity to connect with key dam asset owners in Tasmania and build international networks.”
Participants with Entura’s Principal Consultant, Dr Tapan Mukhopadhyay (far left) and Director, Strategy, Sales and Commercial, Dr Amanda Ashworth (far right).
In closing the program, Dr Amanda Ashworth, Entura’s Director, Sales, Strategy and Commercial, and ECEWI’s Business Manager, acknowledged the active participation and passion of the attendees that helps “build our person-to-person relationships, as well as between our organisations and our nations”.
“The program was not simply about individual skills uplift, it is an investment in the future of the participating organisations and countries and the long-term regional resilience and protection of assets, environment, and people in those catchments,” she said.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr Gali Srinivasulu, who is the Deputy Director of the National Water Academy in Pune, India, said: “The cross-cultural exchanges, networking opportunities and camaraderie during the welcome reception and other gatherings were invaluable. It’s not just the knowledge we gained, but the connections we formed that made this program so special.”
“The organisation, presentation, and overall facilitation of the program were outstanding. The dedication of the hosts and the diligence of the facilitators was evident in every aspect, from the technical sessions to the excursions.”
Another participant, Mr Samir Kumar Shukla, the Director of India’s Central Water Commission, added: “The last two weeks will always be etched in our memory and the knowledge gained during the period will be a real asset that we will carry through our professional career. We also salute team Entura with the utmost respect for their warmth and care.”
Entura has delivered training through ECEWI for over ten years. During that time, it has delivered over 150 training programs to power and water clients in Australia and internationally. This includes dam safety training for the Malaysian National Committee on Large Dams (MYCOLD), dam safety training for local Tasmanian utilities, and close relationships with Bangkok’s Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Kuala Lumpur’s Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), among others.
Find out more about Entura’s customised training offerings here. Learn more about the SARIC program through their website and LinkedIn. SARIC is funded by the Australian Government and is implemented by the World Bank, IFC, Palladium and ASI. Training and networking services under SARIC are managed by Palladium.
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