Securing Sustainable Water Resources for Ethiopia

Additional partners: Hawassa University, Mekelle University, Bahir Dar University, and Arba Minch University (all in Ethiopia); Alabama A&M University.

Water management is a key factor in food security and agricultural productivity. It is also an essential element in addressing challenges of recurring droughts and floods, land degradation, waterborne diseases, poor health conditions, and low energy production. Added pressure from population growth and climate change means that water resource management needs to play a top role in development efforts.

In Ethiopia, the critical need comes in the areas of institutional capacity and workforce expertise for sustainable development and management of Ethiopia’s water resources. The shortage of highly trained professionals in the water sector means bottlenecks in higher education institutions and shortfalls in developing and managing the nation’s water resources.

To address these problems, this partnership aims to:

1. Establish an Institute of Water Resources to coordinate education, research, and community service and strengthen connections to national and local policymakers
2. Enhance the capacity of the five Ethiopian institutions to improve teaching, training, and applied research; increase access; and foster strategic partnerships
3. Develop integrated water resources post graduate programs and promote transatlantic academic collaboration and exchange in teaching and research'

Related Links

Building Water Management Expertise in Ethiopia. UCONN Magazine Special Global Edition. Summer 2012. p.5

Creating a Learning Organization to Promote Sustainable Water Resources Management in Ethiopia. The Journal of Sustainability Education. 03/19/2012