Governance Structure

Then Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) governance structure (Figure 1) provides formal pathways for efficient resource sharing with major water initiatives, facilities, and research and training programs across the university as well as establishing a sustainable supportive hub to be responsive to and attract ongoing investments.

Figure 1: GIWS Governance Structure
Figure 1: GIWS Governance Structure

 

GIWS Executive

Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for GIWS. Membership consists of the Executive Director (Lead), Associate Directors, Executive Officer, and Financial Officer.

GIWS Secretariat

Provides administrative and technical support to GIWS members and operations.

GIWS Strategic Advisory Council

Provides strategic advice and guidance to the GIWS Executive on matters related to its mission and strategic objectives. Members will share insights on water-related opportunities across industry, government and community, and act as ambassadors for GIWS within their networks. Membership will consist of 10-12 individuals from government, industry, community, and not-for-profit organizations external to USask. Members will represent diverse expertise in water, environmental science, policy, finance, and other relevant fields.

GIWS Indigenous Strategic Advisor

Enriches engagement with Indigenous Peoples, communities, organizations, and governments in a respectful and reciprocal manner; and, provides advice and guidance on matters relating to Indigenous engagement, Truth and Reconciliation, and being good water stewards.

GIWS Strategic Research Committee

Supports GIWS in achieving its strategic pillars of research excellence and innovation, water leadership, and enhancing impact by providing strategic advice on emerging research themes, innovative team-based research ideas, and new research funding opportunities. The Committee will support GIWS in leading large and transdisciplinary proposals, host an Awards and Recognition Subcommittee established to increase the profile of GIWS members and celebrate their achievements, and host the Water Fridays subcommittee. Membership consists of up to eight faculty members, including at least one member at each rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, GIWS Executive Director, GIWS Associate Director(s), and one Post-doctoral Scholar or Research Associate representative.

GIWS USask Working Group

A short-term working group established to strengthen engagement between GIWS and other USask units. The group will provide guidance and advice to enhance collaboration and support the strategic objectives of GIWS. The core working group will consist of leaders (or their representatives) from units at USask who have connections to water research and training (i.e., VP Research; Provost; Dean, Arts and Science; Dean, Agriculture and Bioresources; Dean, Engineering; Executive Director, School of Environment and Sustainability; Director, Toxicology) and will be open to others unit leads who would like to participate.