DKU participation in the round table-conference «Evaluation of Integrated Water Resources Management Master’s Program»
The authorized Representative from the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Executive Committee of IFAS S. Bekmaganbetov at the invitation of the Kazakh-German University (DKU) on May 17−18, 2019 took part in the round table-conference «Evaluation of the Integrated Water Resources Management Master's Program”.
The event was attended by more than 70 representatives from government agencies from all countries of Central Asia, Afghanistan, local and international partner organizations, research institutes and departments of UNESCO, partner universities in the region. Co-organizers of the round table: DKU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, IFAS. The welcoming speech was given by the President of DKU, Dr. L. Ungvari, General Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Almaty J. Rosenberg, Director of DAAD Informational Center in Almaty B. Minkowski
The main purpose of the round table was to study the current state of the IWRM program and assess the implementation of master's courses in the region of Central Asia in accordance with the objectives of the Berlin process. The event focused on new approaches to education in the field of water resources management in Central Asia. The format of the event allowed all interested parties to exchange views and hold an open discussion.
Mr. Bekmaganbetov participated as the main invited person in the panel session 2 — discussion of «the Role of IWRM Master's program in the DKU in the development of the water sector in Central Asia» and moderator of session 4 «Regional cooperation in Water education in Central Asia».
Education forms the basis for the intensification of scientific activities in our region, as educates the next generation of water specialists and decision makers. An overview of the existing water education in Central Asian countries was presented, with the exception of Turkmenistan due to the absence of representatives from the teaching staff of Turkmenistan universities. The strengthening of cooperation between Central Asian universities should contribute to increasing the level of knowledge and capacity of young water specialists. The purpose of the session is to discuss current problems in the field of education, scientific approach and recommendations for improving IWRM among universities in Central Asia.
The interdisciplinary master's program IWRM was founded in 2009 in DKU in cooperation with Freie Universität in Berlin, Germany in the framework of the Berlin process, which was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The program is aimed at training young professionals from Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as training future leaders in the field of IWRM to solve water problems in Central Asia at the regional and national levels.
During the two-day conference, experience and best practices in the region were demonstrated in the form of an interactive dialogue, and future goals and prospects were identified together with partners.
There was also a seminar on the development of training courses on renewable energy sources and the plans of DKU for the organization of Olympiads, summer schools, etc. Every year MA students from CA countries and the IRA are trained under the USAID Smart Waters project in DKU under «Integrated Water Resources Management» Master's Program. Our University plans to cooperate with IFAS, including in the framework of the «Berlin process».