THE ISABELA State University’s new research and development center on SMART Water Infrastructure and Management was recognized by the Department of Science and Technology as a Niche Center for R&D in Region 2.

The center will help address water hazard problems in the region.

ISU said the DOST approved a P77 million budget for the center.

“SWIM R&D is a project proposal for NICER that aims to introduce innovative water management approaches thru institutionalizing a university-based water research center to undertake R&D education, capacity building programs in the water resources sector and river basins, and provide technical extension services,” the university said.

The center will undertake four complementary R&D projects — Smart Water Resources Planning and Development of Water Resources Projects and Interventions; Integrated Assessment and Analysis of Hydraulic Assets for Sustainable and Resilient Flood Control Infrastructures and GIS-Based Decision Support Tool in Managing.

The center will also conduct R&D on Monitoring and Applying Intervention of Water Infrastructure for Smart Cities: Case for Cauayan City; and Smart Water Control Infrastructures for Effective Irrigation Management.

“The programs will run for three years, which will be implemented in Region 2, with ISU at the lead along the SUCs in the region, partner government agencies, and local government units,” the university said.