The Foundation for Environment, Climate, and Technology (FECT) – Maldives capitalizes on climate research, climate adaptation, hydrology, information technology, and education done by its partner organization of the same name in USA and Sri Lanka. It also capitalizes on work done by the staff of the International Research Institute and Columbia University, New York in partnership with the Maldives Ministry of Environment, Maldives Meteorological Services, and Maldives National University. FECT-Maldives is a registered non-governmental organization founded in 2009 but formally recognized in 2018. Its charter requires working towards social welfare and environmental sustainability without private profit. It has contributed to projects related to climate research, climate impact assessment, and climate adaptation. Its members and networks possess expertise in water resources management, disaster risk management, public health, agriculture, fisheries, energy conservation, and renewable energy transition. As an organization established in the Maldives, it continues its collaboration with past partners and works with new partners.
Climate variability and climate change pose compelling challenges for the Maldives. In comparison with the potential impact and risks, there has been inadequate use of the latest climate science for adaptation, risk management, and policy-making. Advantages can be taken from advances in monitoring, prediction technologies, and advances in computing, satellite imaging, and communication technologies. Further interactions have followed through a series of visits with other Agencies under the Ministry of Environment such as the Energy and Water Authority, Disaster Management Centre, Maldivian Meteorological Services, and other agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Maldivian National University, the United Nations Development Program in the Maldives and Renewable Energy Maldives. These interactions have led to the development of an action plan for capacity building for climate services, collaborative climate research, and the development of web-based tools for climatic analysis, monitoring, and predictions for the Maldives.
Our Members & Contributors
Members
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Rimza Zacky is an IAB Finals (London) qualified accountant with 39 years of experience. She previously worked as an accounting assistant at Accounting Systems and Services in Colombo (1983-1986) and in the accounts department at KPH in Kandy(1986-2003). She has been with FECT since 2003 and oversees the organization’s accounting system.
Tuan Hadgie serves as the project manager of our organization since 2017. He previously served as an Administrative Officer at the Gemmological Museum, Kandy, and the Institute of International Education Lanka, and the Operations Manager and Lecturer at the Gateway Computer Centre in Kegalle. He has qualified as an ICDL (International Computer Driving License) System Administrator and with International Pedagogical ICT Licentiate.
Contributors
Prof. Wickramagamage is working as an Emeritus Professor of geography at the University of Peradeniya. His main areas of research include GIS, soils, hydrology, climate and EIA on all of which he has published extensively.
Dr. Nalin Wickramanayake obtained his B.Sc. (Eng) in Civil Engineering from the University of Peradeniya and his Ph. D from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Nalin has collaborated with FECT with the MacArthur-supported Master's in Development Practice and on the UNESCO project on Coastal Inlets.
He did his graduate work at IUPUI and his undergraduate degree from the University of Peradeniya in Production Engineering. He was one of fifteen international fellows in the 2005-2006 Reuters Digital Vision Fellowship Program at Stanford University.
Nipuni Alahakoon joined FECT as an intern after earning a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the International College of Business and Technology (ICBT). She previously worked for Squire Mech Engineering (Pvt) Ltd as a Trainee QS and Wickramapala Engineering as an Assistant
QS.
Since 2020, Ushan Adithya has worked as a web developer with us. He received his Higher National Diploma in Information Technology from SLIATE – Kandy and his Diploma in Information Technology from ESOFT metro campus Kandy.
Timeline (2009 to 2020)
2009
A seminar on Climate Adaptation at the Ministry of Environment.
Meetings with Ministry of Environment and Department of Meteorology, August 2009.
Proposal on – “Adaptation to Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation through improved management of Energy, Water and Coastal resources in Sri Lanka and Maldives” was developed.
In March, we held discussions on initiative on developing climate center and on internship placements with the Assistant Resident Representative and officials of Ministry of Housing, Transport and Environment, Department of Meteorology, Maldivian College of Higher Education and Renewable Energy in Male..
2010
2011
FECT staff focusing on setting up collaborative arrangements for the forthcoming Masters in Development Practice (MDP) at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and initiating capacity building programs.
Proposal on “Intra-Seasonal Climate Predictions for Sri Lanka and Maldives for Water Resources Management” submitted to Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER). (Nov 2011)
Monthly Hydro-meteorological Advisory services were initiated.
Grant for “Intra-seasonal climate predictions for Sri Lanka and Maldives for water resources management” from the US National Academy of Sciences awarded.
Visit to Maldives by Lareef Zubair focusing on developing knowledge and capacity for setting up MDP, developing science of climate change and develop capacity in mitigation and adaptation.
2012
2013
Yoosuf Ashraj and K. Wijeratna visited Maldives with the aim to understand and get involved with projects of Renewable Energy Maldives.
Lareef Zubair carried out surveys in the islands Hulhumale and Villingili related to the project on water resources management.
Proposal on “Delineating Near-Term Climate Change, Water Sustainability and Drought Risk for Adaptation and Risk Management in the Maldives” submitted to Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Program. (L. Zubair (PI)) (December 2012)
Twitter account https://twitter.com/fectlmv and a Facebook account were setup. Mail management system was implemented.
The US National Academy of Sciences granted our proposal on “Drought Monitoring and Climate Change Assessment for Sri Lanka and Maldives”. Investigator – Lareef Zubair (2014 -2017).
Concept notes were submitted to APN program by our collaborator from Japan. We were awarded a grant to investigate climate change and water resources in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
2014
2015
Maldives data resources were incorporated into the Data Library.Automated climate report generation was initiated for Maldives.
Meetings in Maldives to have discussions with officials of MNU, National Disaster Management Center Meteorological Service and Renewable Energy Maldives.
New posters for Maldives in particular were prepared and were compiled into a poster book that was sent to key partners.
In September, FECT staff met with the staff of MNU and our partners in other organizations.
Workshop on Climate and Water Security, at Maldives National University, Male’, 13th September 2015.
Pre-proposal to the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Program entitled, “Can drought, flood and landslide hazard be skillfully assessed at fine spatial resolution from combining constrained streams of observed, remotely sensed and model predicted data in Sri Lanka and Maldives?” was submitted to PEER. Principal investigator: Dr. Piyasena Wickramagamage.
Completed the project on “Intra-seasonal climate predictions for Sri Lanka and Maldives for water resources management” from the US National Academy of Sciences. Investigator – Lareef Zubair (2012 -2015).
Work on our project on “Can drought, flood and landslide hazard be skillfully assessed at fine spatial resolution from combining constrained streams of observed, remotely sensed and model predicted data in Sri Lanka and Maldives?” commenced. (PI – P. Wickramagamage, L. Zubair, Zahid, 2015 – 2018).
FECT staff had a meeting with Dr. Zahid of Maldives Meteorological Services to discuss about Water Scarcity and availability of Data, in February, in Colombo.
Published articles on El Nino Impact for 2016 for Sri Lanka, and for Maldives, in the Climate Change Magazine by Dr. Mickey Glantz
FECT staff participated at the student workshop on GIS and Climate at the Maldives National University in May 2016.
FECT staff at the workshop on Research topics and plans for the Bachelor of Environment Management held at the Maldives National University, Male’, on August 2016.
FECT staff attended the Maldives Marine Science Symposium held at the MNU in October 2016.
New weather station was installed in Southern Maldives in collaboration with LaMer at Small Island Research Centre.
Soil Moisture and Temperature measurement Instruments at 4 depths along with transmission and automated data-logging were provided for Maldives.
Advice on setting up a Geographic Information Systems upon the request from the Director of Water Resources.
2016
2017
FECT staff held meetings with ongovernment partners, private sector participants and USAID officials. Soil moisture instruments installed at the MMS. 24th - 25th of January 2017.
In July,FECT staff had meetings with collaborative institutes and organized a program for the students of Huvadhoo School.
Staff had meetings with MNU, Health Protection Agency, Marine Research Centre and non-government partners, private sector participants, Renewable Energy Maldives and LaMer on 9th to 11th of December 2017.
STEM Education and Capacity Building for Resources and Risk Management in Remote Outposts capitalizing on PEER projects on water, drought and hazards: Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in Southern Maldives Principal Investigator: Lareef Zubair, Prof. Wickramagamage, PEER supplementary proposal submitted.
New Automatic weather station (AWS) was installed in Maathoda in collaboration with SIRC.
Contributed to Educational programs at the Maathoda School in Gaafu Daalu Atoll in Maldives.
Initiated our project on STEM Education and Capacity Building for Resources and Risk Management in Remote Outposts capitalizing on PEER projects on water, drought and hazards: Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in Southern Maldives (PI – P. Wickramagamage Co PI - Lareef Zubair)
FECT-MV was formally registered in August 2018.
Staff visited Thinadhoo Education Centre and Huvadhoo School with regard to the STEM project in September 2018. Automated Weather Station provided to Thinadhoo School.
2018
2019
Visit to Maldives by FECT staff with regard to the STEM Project and for planning for the science fair which is to be held in the Thinadhoo School in July 2019.
STEM project.climate.mv website Meetings with USAID .
