Advisor - Water Infrastructure Asset Management and small scale water systems
Dr Assela Pathirana is an Associate Professor at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, focusing on water infrastructure asset management and the climate resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). His work promotes sustainable planning, operation, and maintenance of water systems, and supports water security and climate adaptation in vulnerable island contexts. He has contributed to both academic research and applied solutions in infrastructure sustainability and resilience.
Since 2006, Dr Pathirana has advanced education and research in water infrastructure asset management (WIAM). He developed the WIAM curriculum at IHE Delft and has trained professionals in over twenty countries, supporting the adoption of structured asset management practices. His research addresses the digitalisation of infrastructure management, nature-based solutions, and risk-informed planning, aiming to break the cycle of neglect and rebuild in infrastructure systems.
He has also contributed significantly to the climate resilience of SIDS. He led the development of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on SIDS, expanding access to knowledge on water security and infrastructure planning. Through workshops and collaborations with scientists, practitioners, and policymakers, he has supported evidence-based strategies tailored to small island contexts.
With a broad interdisciplinary background, Dr Pathirana’s expertise extends beyond asset management and climate adaptation. His research in hydrological modelling (drainage, flood inundation), open-source software development for water management, Web-dash boards for using complex modelling as communication tools, and civil engineering applications supports the development of sustainable and resilient water systems. His technical skills, combined with extensive applied research, have contributed to the creation of decision-support tools and predictive models, enhancing infrastructure planning and operational efficiency. These contributions bridge engineering and policy, enabling practical solutions to complex water challenges.
Dr Pathirana holds a BSc in Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Peradeniya, and MSc and PhD degrees in civil engineering from the University of Tokyo. He has held research positions at the United Nations University and UNESCO-ICHARM and served as Chief Technical Advisor – Water Engineering for the Maldives’ Ministry of Environment and UNDP (2020–2022), where he supported climate adaptation for outer island water systems.
He has also contributed to postgraduate education and capacity building, publishing on pedagogical innovation and leading training-of-trainers programmes to improve higher education in technical disciplines. His ongoing work integrates research, policy, and education to promote resilient infrastructure systems and advance the next generation of water professionals.
