Water Resource Management and Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem Nexus (WEFE)

On Monday, 23rd November 2020, experts from the countries of Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Germany were invited to participate in the online public lecture on the topics of “Water Resource Management” and “Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem Nexus (WEFE)” organized by DAAD Egypt.

The event offered an overview on the topic of water with in-depth information about current projects and studies on its related areas. Starting from a presentation on the technique of water desalination and wastewater treatment, the lecture included other presentations on renewable energies in the Arab region, on the specific method of monitoring and forecasting drought through earth observation data and on the project Sigma Nexus in the Mediterranean Area.

Ms. Isabell Mering, director of the DAAD Regional Office Cairo, opened the conference by explaining the relevance of the topic on the agenda for the MENA region. Keeping the existing water scarcity problem in mind, the first speaker, Prof. Ahmed Saad Gomaa from the Egypt-Japan University of Science & Technology, offered a thorough explanation of the desalination process as a possible solution available to face water scarcity. His presentation titled “Smart and Patterned Membranes for Water Desalination and Wastewater Treatment” outlined the problems that Arab countries like Egypt are confronted with in terms of water resource management. He then moved to analyse the desalination process with a precise description of the tools and stages involved such as the use of different types of membranes. Despite its high costs, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Gomaa highlighted the benefits deriving from further investment in studying and implementing this method.

The conference equally touched the topic of renewable energies trough the presentation “MENA renewables status” by Prof. Dr. Ahmed Salaymeh from the University of Jordan. Particularly, Dr. Salaymeh brought to light the fact that although the Arab region enjoys abundant renewable energy resources, the current share of renewable energy in power installed capacity remains small. Despite recent efforts from some governments in developing plans especially in the field of solar energy, major challenges remain at the political, financial and institutional levels.

Furthermore, Dr. Moncef Bouaziz from l’Ecole Nationale d’Ingenieurs de Sfax in Tunisia explained the potential of earth observation data in predicting drought during his presentation named “Drought monitoring and forecasting based on earth observation data”. While outlining the way in which earth observation data offer precious information to predict the occurrence of drought, Dr. Bouaziz emphasized the necessity to find innovative ways to adapt to natural phenomena such as drought and the need for humans to develop a behaviour with nature based on respect, attention and preservation.

Finally, Dr. Maria Vrachioli from the Technical University of Munich drove the attention to the topic of water from a socio-economic perspective. Specifically, she presented the WEFE-Nexus approach for water scarcity and the Sigma Nexus project based in Egypt and Greece. Dr. Vrachioli could therefore share with the audience valuable options for water resource management taking into account the linkage between water, food, energy and ecosystem.

Overall, the lecture offered a comprehensive analysis of the topic of water under a variety of perspectives. Remarkably, it showed the necessity to take into consideration the relation between all fields of studies, to exchange knowledge and, most importantly, to develop a respectful behaviour towards nature to decrease the risk of environmental crises; especially due to climate change.

Author: Veronica Merlo

Advertisements by German Universities

Let us shape the future at Technische Universität Ilmenau!

You love science? Then contribute to our approaches of sustainability and energy, future mobility, artificial intelligence, and many more.

More

International Master´s Programmes at Fulda University of Applied Scien...

Study international Master’s programmes in European Studies, Food Business, Human Rights or Management for your career in international organizations and companies.

More

International programmes at TH Rosenheim - study in English!

Do you want to study in one of Germany’s most attractive regions? Find out more about our English-taught study programmes.

More

Study in Berlin - MBA & International Master’s Programmes

Our internationally recognized MBA & Master’s programmes will provide you with the knowledge and tools to conduct business in the global market.

More

Truly international – Study at ESB Business School!

Do you want to study in the heart of Germany, Europe’s strongest and most dynamic economy? Come to ESB Business School at Reutlingen University!

More

Hands-on Master’s programs at Hof University Graduate School

You hold a Bachelor and already gained some work experience? Kick-start your career with our exciting hands-on M.B.A. and M.Eng. programs. All programs comprise one year of internship – a great opport...

More

Discover the top-ranked International Graduate Programs at RPTU Univer...

21 International Master & PhD Programs at RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau. Application Deadline: Apr 30 & Oct 31

More
1/7

Contact

  • Regional Office Cairo

    11 Street El-Saleh Ayoub Cairo-Zamalek Telephone: +20 2 27 35 27 26
    Fax: +20 2 27 38 41 36