STUDENTS from the University of Fiji will work with members of the Nadi Basin Catchment Committee to find solutions to Nadi's flooding problems.
Apart from providing technical support, the students will also investigate practices from the past that aided people living in Nadi to cope with flooding.
A memorandum of understanding between the univerity and the committee which was endorsed last week will have students taking a hands-on approach to finding answers to the town's flood issue.
"I am hoping the work will be across the whole catchment and will cover different issues, ranging from vulnerability to floods and extreme rainfalls, coping strategies and awareness raising," said vice chancellor Mahendra Kumar.
"There could also be some work on traditional coping strategies which may have successfully worked in the past and could be adopted for the future."
Mr Kumar said the MOU offered a unique opportunity to students and faculty members to work on solutions that would directly benefit the Nadi community.
"The project will involve students and staff who would benefit from real life experiences in dealing with real problems, trying to find real solutions.
"It will also underscore the importance of working across many sectors and in an integrated way.
"It will also interface with policy as technical solutions also need to take into account the practicality and relevance of particular interventions, taking into the social and economic dimensions."