The Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation was abuzz with energy March 21 as students, faculty, and industry leaders gathered to celebrate World Water Day. This year’s event, marked by discussions and student presentations, focused on key global water challenges, including sustainable development goals, urban stormwater management, and the impacts of climate change on water resources.

The day began with a panel discussion featuring key stakeholders from the water resources engineering industry ­— James Bryant and Lina Florian of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, Alain Michaud of Landmark Engineering, Ryan Langlois and Aakash Bagchi of Dillon Consulting, and Saad Jasim of S.J. Environmental Consultants. They shared real-world insights into the diverse professions within the field, offering advice to students about the skills and knowledge needed for success in this rapidly evolving sector. The panellists provided examples from their own careers, highlighting how classroom concepts are applied in the field, and emphasized the importance of staying informed and adaptable in a world increasingly affected by climate change.

Following the panel discussion, students showcased their research and innovations during a poster presentation session. More than 20 projects were presented by undergraduate and graduate students from the civil and environmental engineering program, each tackling pressing issues related to water management and sustainability. Topics ranged from the effects of climate change on stormwater systems and snowmelt runoff in Arctic communities to microplastics in the Great Lakes watersheds.

Professor Tirupati Bolisetti, organizer of the event, said the students worked hard: “The poster presentation offered them opportunities to explore solutions to real-world problems. I am impressed by the depth and breadth of the problems that the students have investigated.”