In the News
Hydrologists' organization relocating to SIUC
A leading organization for hydrologists is moving its
headquarters to SIUC, the home of its new executive director.
Rolando Bravo,
associate professor of civil and environmental engineering in the College of
Engineering, is the new executive director of the American Institute of
Hydrology (AIH). Bravo assumed the leadership of the international
organization this month after a vote by the group's executive committee.
Along with Bravo's new position, the group also agreed to
move its headquarters to SIUC. Bravo said having the organization based at
SIUC will bring prestige and more students to the College of Engineering and
particularly the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The initial length of the arrangement is five years,
meaning SIUC will be an epicenter of the hydrology and water resources field
at least through 2012.
"Having the AIH based here is a credit to our department,"
Bravo said. "It will attract students, especially graduate students in the
area of water resources. When a student learns we have this here, it gives
us even more credibility. They find there is not only an excellent
University here, but an institute focused specifically on their field."
Founded in 1981, the AIH strives to enhance and strengthen
the standing of hydrology as a science and profession by establishing
standards and procedures for certifying surface, ground and water quality
hydrologists. It also emphasizes ethics, training and education and
cooperation with government and the public in matters related to the
profession.
The organization certifies its members based on
professional and academic credentials. An AIH committee will award such
certification only after a thorough review of such credentials, Bravo said.
In some cases, those who apply for certification must pass a series of
written examinations to achieve it.
It is the only national organization that certifies
qualified professionals in all fields of hydrology and has only about 750
members worldwide.
"This is an institution that certifies professional
hydrologists. You don't just pay your fees and be a member. You have to be
certified," Bravo said. "As a group, we want to focus on academic and
professional credentials.
"When you graduate from a university, you may earn a
bachelor's or master's degree in engineering and then get a license, but
that license is still very general," he explained. "The AIH is one more step
after your license. It is a terminal certification."
The organization previously had its office in Atlanta.
Bravo said he pursued the executive directorship because he believes SIUC
could provide a strong base of operations for the group, based on the strong
engineering programs at the University.
At SIUC, the college will provide some office space and
the AIH will pay for an assistant for Bravo. He, along with the AIH board,
will control its budget and set priorities and its overall direction and
strategy going forward. SIUC also might play host to AIH board meetings.
In his role as executive director, Bravo will provide
general management, public relations, staff training, dues collections and
membership communications. He also will help organize committees,
examinations, conferences and other events as needed.
Along with the notoriety and student recruitment boost,
Bravo said housing the AIH offices will likely improve research grant
opportunities for hydrology students and faculty, as they can note their
close proximity to this important resources in grant applications.
Bravo has previously served as chair of the board of
registration for AIH, which reviews certification applications, and as vice
president of international affairs. He hopes to increase recruiting efforts
abroad, building a larger base of qualified international hydrologists and
ensuring the profession remains highly regarded throughout the world.
The organization publishes an annual journal, holds
conferences and holds an annual meeting, which Bravo will coordinate.
- Tim Crosby
