In an important step towards enhancing academic cooperation in the field of integrated water resources management, and under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, a high-level delegation from Ain Shams University headed by Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President of the University and the University’s International Relations Office, in cooperation with Mansoura University, organized a visit to the University of Applied Sciences Cologne from November 25 to 28, 2024, with the aim of providing academic and administrative support for the multidisciplinary Master’s program in Integrated Water Resources Management that will start next year at Ain Shams University.

This visit is an important step towards enhancing cooperation between Egyptian and German universities in the fields of research and education related to water management.

It aims to exchange knowledge and develop innovative solutions to the water challenges facing Egypt. This visit also aims to sign cooperation agreements that include developing a master's program in integrated water resources management, and deepening relations between Ain Shams University, Mansoura University, and the University of Cologne in the fields of research and community education.

The visit included a series of discussion sessions on ways of academic cooperation and developing joint curricula, in addition to discussing mechanisms for cooperation in the field of scientific research and applied education. The structure of the university program in water resources management was also discussed, as well as the importance of integrating partners from the public and private sectors in the education process.

This cooperation is expected to contribute to developing sustainable solutions to water challenges in Egypt, and to achieve a qualitative shift in education and training programs related to this vital sector.

Prof. Silvia Hochheimer, President of the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, explained that “We at the University of Cologne are very proud of this academic collaboration with Ain Shams and Mansoura Universities, which comes within the framework of the interdisciplinary water project.”

This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing higher education and enhancing international cooperation in vital areas such as water management, which poses a major challenge in many regions around the world. We are committed to providing an innovative educational environment that encourages critical thinking and sustainable solutions, and we look forward to this program contributing to providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to address future water challenges.”

Prof. Lars Riebe, Dean of the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences, added that “We at the University of Cologne are very pleased to be collaborating with Ain Shams University and Mansoura University on the iWater project. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide practical solutions to Egypt’s water challenges by developing advanced curricula that combine academic research with practical applications, and the Master’s program that will bring together the three institutions aims to prepare a new generation of experts in the field of water resources management, and is part of our commitment to sustainable development and knowledge exchange between countries.”

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Dr. Hassan Abou El Naga, General Coordinator of the iWater Program at the University of Cologne, said: “The cooperation between the University of Cologne, Ain Shams University and Mansoura University represents an important strategic step towards strengthening the academic partnership between Egypt and Germany in the field of water resources management.

This program is not just an academic program, but rather a platform for knowledge and research exchange between academic institutions and industry, which contributes to finding sustainable solutions to the water challenges facing Egypt and the region by integrating multiple disciplines in the field of water management.

Prof. Ghada Farouk explained that the program seeks to provide students with the in-depth knowledge and practical skills necessary to deal with water issues in an innovative and effective manner, and that within the framework of previous and successful academic relations with the University of Cologne, we are committed to providing an advanced educational environment that contributes to building the capacities of academic and professional cadres, in line with the needs of sustainable development in this vital sector.

It is worth noting that the Cologne University of Applied Sciences has published the details of the visit on its account through the link:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cologne-university-of-applied-sciences_internationalezusammenarbeit-wassersicherheit-activity-7267524502996103168-n3bn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios