Research Area: Water balance study of Lao PDR
Nationality: Laotian
Time Frame: May 2014 – May 2015
Phaylin is a Senior Technical at the Data Information Centre, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR. She is currently reading for Msc in Environmental Engineering and Management, and has a BSc in Geography from the National University of Laos. Phaylin’s work in this program undertakes an assessment of water resources availability, access and demand in the main catchments of the Mekong River Basin in Lao PDR. These activities are taking place as part of the Agricultural groundwater use in Laos project funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
Currently, my work involves data collection, reprocessing hydrological data, applying Geagraphic Information Systems (GIS) for assessment and analysis of water resources, and identifying cross-sectoral issues in water utilization. But I want to broaden my knowledge in these areas, especially in relation to watershed classification, studying river networks and surveying wetlands. These problems are important for discovering and analyzing the risks, and identifying issues on water resources management at present and in the future. So, I believe that my research on the Water Balance Study at IWMI will provide me with valuable and inclusive experience that will allow me to plan and implement Integrated Water Resources Management in Lao PDR.
Comments on completion:
I advanced my knowledge and skills related water resources as a result of the fellowship at IWMI. The experience I gathered in the field of hydrology and ground water will allow me to build up principles and concepts related water resources management. It will also help me to identify issues where there are conflicts between sectors in water utilization in order to present them and then plan and implement effective integrated water resources management in Lao PDR as well as applying GIS for assessment and analyzing any risks in water resources.
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