Background
Implementation of the 20-year Rural Water Supply Programme (1971-1991) whose goal was to provide safe and adequate water supply to all rural communities in Tanzania indicated an acute shortage of trained personnel of all cadres i.e. engineers, technicians, craftsmen, etc. To cater for the diverse requirements of the water sector, a Water Resources Institute (WRI) was established in 1974 as a training Unit under the Ministry of Water and Energy at the time.
In 1980 the institute’s name was changed to Rwegarulila Water Resources Institute (RWRI). This change was in honour of the late Fredrick Rwegarulila, the then Principal Secretary who played an instrumental role in establishment of the Institute and development of the Water sector in general; this decision came as a resolution during the 1980 Annual Water Engineers’ Conference (AWEC) held in Tanga.
During the Public Service Reform Program in the public sector which were geared towards improving service delivery, among interventions undertaken by the government was hiving off some of government functions that were routine in nature to be performed by semi-autonomous bodies (Executive Agencies). The Rwegarulila Water Resources Institute was transformed to become an Executive Agency on 22nd August 2008 because it was one of the organizations under the Ministry of Water performing routine functions. During the process the name of the Institute was changed to “Water Development and Management Institute” (WDMI). However, in 2016, Water Development and Management Institute changed its name to the current name of ‘‘Water Institute’’ (WI).
Aim, Vision, Mission and Functions of the Institute
Aim
The aim of Water Institute (WI) is to provide quality expertise (quality middle- level technical work force) in the water sector through training, consultancy, and research under the policy guidelines of the Ministry of Water.
Vision
The Institute is to become the Centre of excellence for providing technical education and training, conducting research and providing consultancy services for integrated development and management of water resources in the country, East Africa and Africa as a whole.
Mission
To provide quality technical training, research, consultancy and other services to all water sector stakeholders and to develop the Institute by using modern techniques of training and promoting appropriate technology.
Main Roles and functions
Main roles and functions of the Institute are:
- to provide high quality technical training programmes on water management and technology;
- to undertake consultancy services and research in the water sector; and
- to provide an efficient management of the Institute’s resources.