It is undeniable that water is essential for life and the development of our society. Water has become a resource of social, political and economic interest, and its management is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. Fighting pollution, rational use of water, improving supply systems, and managing extreme situations such as droughts and floods are priority issues requiring skilled and thoughtful professionals. These actions range from specific local interventions to strategies on a European and global scale. For this reason, it is logical that the University of Barcelona, through the Water Research Institute (IDRA), aims to promote interdisciplinary research and drive the reform of university education by developing specific structures and tools to channel research and teaching related to water.