Beverage giant Coca-Cola has established a department on water studies at India's TERI University in a bid to tackle the challenges regarding water sustainability.
The Coca-Cola Department of Regional Water Studies also aims to help scientifically manage water resources in India with the help of research and development as well as build capability for various stakeholders who can influence policy and implement research effectively.
It will examine water issues in an interdisciplinary framework, bringing in cultural, educational and scientific factors as well as religious, ethical, social, political, legal, institutional and economic dimensions towards a better, holistic approach to water management.
The department is supported by funds from the Coca-Cola Foundation and TERI University, said Asim Parekh, vice-president of Coca-Cola's India and Southwest Asia Business Unit.
Freshwater is a subject of immediate attention and concern across the world. “All of us need to come together to address these issues.”
Parekh said Coca-Cola by establishing the department is trying to create a centre of excellence that will provide people that have the right skill set to address all the issues regarding freshwater.
The department will provide MTech, MSc, post-graduate diploma, PhD and a certificate course. The courses are open to students and professionals who are graduates or equivalent from any branch of engineering.
Postgraduates from environmental science, physics, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, geology, atmospheric science, economics and geography can also apply.
Parekh said the partnership brings together the golden triangle of government, business and civil society with academia. “We hope that this department will lead in the field of water governance.”
“Coca-Cola believes that through this partnership with TERI University, we can contribute to the creation of human resource capital in the area of water management as well as help in research and development on water management.”
In the first phase, the Atlanta-based company will be supporting the department with an endowment of $750,000.
Parekh thinks 21st century business entities must create shared value for shareholders, stakeholders and local communities, as the problems that the world now faces are too large for any single entity to solve.
“As a leading business organisation, we consider it our responsibility to play a role in issues of water management, sustainable packaging and sustainable agriculture.”

[email protected]