South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity - SARIC

📣 Upcoming SARIC Masterclass | Pakistan

SARIC, in collaboration with Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is hosting a practical, policy-relevant exchange aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness, service continuity, and recovery.

🗓 Date: 14 April
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Pakistan Time)

This Masterclass on “Practical Nexus Mechanisms for Building Resilient and Inclusive Transport- Power Systems for Emergencies” will focus on how integrated planning between transport and power systems can strengthen service continuity during disasters. The session highlights practical, action-oriented approaches to managing system interdependencies while embedding equity and gender responsiveness in resilience planning.

🔹 Key focus areas include:

- Transport–power interdependencies in emergency contexts
- Protection of critical corridors and infrastructure
- Resilient power solutions for essential transport services
- Transport access for rapid power restoration
- Digital coordination and shared situational awareness
- Inclusive and gender-responsive approaches to resilience

Stay tuned for more updates!

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🔈We are pleased to feature Husnain Afzal, a senior hydropower professional from Pakistan with extensive experience in water and energy infrastructure in our “𝘚𝘈𝘙𝘐𝘊 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴: 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦” series.

With over sixteen years at Pakistan’s Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Husnain has worked closely with government leadership, international financiers, and technical partners on major hydropower and energy initiatives across South Asia.

Husnain participated in the SARIC Dam Safety Principles Training, delivered in collaboration with Entura in Australia, gaining practical exposure to dam safety, risk‑based design, operations, and ESG‑informed infrastructure practices, while engaging with a strong regional and Australian peer network.

His current focus lies in climate‑resilient hydropower, infrastructure sustainability, and climate finance, reflecting a commitment to cooperation‑driven water and energy security for South Asia.

✅ Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the SARIC Impact Journeys series!

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📢 Happening Today | SARIC Knowledge Session in Kathmandu

SARIC Knowledge Session on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance for Nepal, in partnership with the Australian Embassy, Nepal is currently underway.

Panel of speakers and experts, include:

~ Dr Bimal Raj Regmi, PhD – Moderator & Climate Resilience Expert
~ Dr Ram Prasad Dhital, PhD, PEng – Chairperson, Electricity Regulatory Commission
~ Ms Smriti Sharma – Vice President, NIFRA
~ Ms Roshani Shreshtha – Joint Secretary, NDRRMA
~ Dr Mukesh Ghimire, PhD – Director, AEPC

Participants are engaging in discussions on:

☑️ Navigating Nepal's climate finance architecture
☑️ Mobilising resources for resilient energy and transport systems
☑️ Strengthening disaster risk financing mechanisms
☑️ Regional collaboration and Australia's role in resilience-building

More reflections to follow soon. Stay tuned for more updates!

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🔈Second in our "𝘚𝘈𝘙𝘐𝘊 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴: 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦" series, we are delighted to feature Ms Nanda Kumari- an energy professional from Bhutan whose work spans construction, operations, planning, and regulatory implementation across the transmission sector.

Nanda was a participant of SAR100 2.0 training, conducted in collaboration with Yunus Center at AIT.

🗒️ With over a decade of experience with Bhutan Power Corporation Limited (BPC), Nanda has contributed to strengthening Bhutan’s national grid through high‑voltage line construction, system upgrades, O&M leadership, and transmission loss assessments. Her efforts have been supporting Bhutan’s hydropower-driven development and reinforce regional energy cooperation in South Asia.

Nanda represents the spirit of SARIC- continuous learning, technical excellence, and a commitment to shaping a more resilient and sustainable energy future for the South Asian Region (SAR).

✅ Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in the SARIC Impact Journeys series!

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📢 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 “𝘚𝘈𝘙𝘐𝘊 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘴: 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦”

We are excited to launch a new series that highlights the remarkable journeys, contributions, and regional impact of SARIC alumni.

Our first feature shares the inspiring experience of Mr. Ashok Pal, Former COO (CTU), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Powergrid), whose participation in the SARIC Renewable Energy Training Program, delivered in collaboration with Entura in Australia reflects the power of knowledge exchange, networking, and regional collaboration.

From technical insights on renewable integration to a profound personal connection with Melbourne University, his story exemplifies the spirit of learning that SARIC stands for.

This series will bring forward many such voices shaping our region’s clean energy future.

✅ Stay tuned for more alumni narratives that inspire, connect, and drive collective progress in South Asia!

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Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and continued success in the year ahead!

Best,
Team SARIC

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𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓬𝓽 ✨

We’re thrilled to continue our Stories of Impact series, highlighting the incredible journeys of SARIC alumni who are shaping the future of energy and infrastructure leadership in South Asia.

This week, we spotlight Anuththara Ariyarathne, a participant in our Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind, and Battery) program (November 2024).

For Anuththara, SARIC is more than just a training or a network of energy professionals- it’s a platform for collaboration across South Asia, where countries share common renewable energy challenges. She envisions SARIC playing an active role in accelerating Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition.

✅ Swipe to read Anuththara’s story and stay tuned for more voices from the SARIC community driving sustainable change across the region.

SARIC is funded by Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with World Bank, IFC - International Finance Corporation, and Palladium: Make It Possible as program partners

Australian High Commission, Sri Lanka

𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓬𝓽 ✨

We’re excited to continue our Stories of Impact series, spotlighting the inspiring journeys of SARIC alumni.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing powerful reflections from participants who have not only enhanced their skills but are now eager to apply their learnings in both their professional and personal lives.

✅ Swipe to see Adnan Yousaf's story and stay tuned for more voices from the SARIC community that are shaping the future of energy and infrastructure leadership in South Asia.

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Last night, participants enjoyed a wonderful welcome dinner at University House, The University of Melbourne, marking the start of their program.
The evening was filled with delicious food, engaging conversations, and the opportunity to connect with fellow participants from across South Asia. It was the perfect way to kick off a week of learning, collaboration, and exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne!
South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity - SARIC is an initiative funded by the Australian Government through its Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Executive Training delivered by The University of Melbourne with logistics supported by Reho Study Tours, funded by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Reho Study Tours is thrilled to welcome participants from Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan to Melbourne for the Executive Training Course on Disaster Management and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, hosted by the Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety (CDMPS) at The University of Melbourne.
We can’t wait to support you during your time here — get ready for a rewarding experience and plenty of exciting moments ahead! South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) is an initiative funded by the Australian Government through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Executive Training delivered by The University of Melbourne with logistics supported by Reho Study Tours, funded by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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