Enhancing Capcity for Water-Resource Studies in Egypt and Morocco

In the MENA region, water resources may be the most critical issue underpinning health and sustainable development. The region is naturally water-scarce, and population growth and water usage have contributed to water stress through withdrawals in excess of annual renewable supplies. In addition, the allocation oftrans boundary water resources poses political challenges in parts ofthe region. Another critical issue is suitable employment opportunities for university graduates. Despite significant human capital and, increasingly, infrastructure, university education and research have typically been uncoordinated across the region. To address both these problems, we propose to integrate technical instruction and preparation for professional practice in hydrology and hydrogeology for graduate students from Egypt and Morocco. We will accomplish this through scientific exchanges (attendance at a workshop in the USA; visits by U.S. partners, the students, and their advisors to field sites in Egypt and Morocco), distance coursework, and presentations at a major scientific conference in the USA. Students will become proficient in using software for GIS, remote sensing, and mathematical modeling with Webbased data sets, which will augment local-scale field studies. Students will receive guidance in research ethics; in presenting results to technical audiences and the general public, including government agencies, NGOs, secondary schools, and local communities; and in preparing research proposals and publications. Expected results include strengthening the MENA students' communication skills, especially in English; increasing young researchers' capacity to connect with the regional and global scientific communities in their areas of specialization; and positioning them to contribute as professionals in academia, industry, andior government.