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Developing skills in water management. An essential tool to face drought challenges
CIHEAM > AGENDAS > Developing skills in water management. An essential tool to face drought challenges
  • A webinar organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza to celebrate the World Water Day explores solutions to overcome water scarcity in Mediterranean regions.

  • The Spanish headquarters of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies presents the 2024-2026 edition of the Master in Water Management.
WATCH THE RECORDING

Zaragoza, 22 March 2024.- CIHEAM Zaragoza has invited a panel of experts to participate in the webinar to celebrate the World Water Day (22 March). Consensus among the participants is clear: investing in human capital and developing water management skills are crucial strategies to combat water scarcity in Mediterranean regions, which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Delivered in Spanish and English for an international audience, the webinar has hosted a panel of guest experts including Marc García, Secretary General of the Mediterranean Water Institute; Enrique Playán and Nery Zapata, scientists from the Experimental Station of Aula Dei of the Spanish National Research Council; and Ramiro Martínez, Coordinator of the Mediterranean Network of Basin Organisations (MENBO). The panel also included former students of CIHEAM Zaragoza, Sophia Bahddou and Taher Kahil that are currently developing their professional careers in the United Kingdom and Austria, respectively.

The event has focused on the need to provide training that will strengthen sustainable water management in a context of water scarcity and climate change. Raúl Compés, director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, has pointed out that the Mediterranean region is undergoing one of the worst periods of drought in history and requires greater coordination, better policies and more professionals to improve water use efficiency, increase water availability and reduce losses.

Water scarcity, water quality concerns, droughts, flooding, sustainable agriculture production, and food security are just some of the water-related challenges confronting Mediterranean countries. These issues are expected to intensify in the coming years due to the compounding effects of climate change, demographic growth, and urban development.

NEW EDITION OF CIHEAM ZARAGOZA’S MASTER IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

During the webinar, Enrique Playán, research professor from the Spanish National Research Council, has presented the 2024-2026 edition of CIHEAM Zaragoza’s International Master in Sustainable Water Management and Governance in Natural and Agricultural Environments that he coordinates. With over fifty lecturers from 12 countries chosen for their expertise in a range of topics, this programme aims to train future professionals that will be able to support decision-makers in the field of sustainable water management and governance.

The Master is organised by the headquarters in Spain of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM). This post-graduate training programme counts on the collaboration of the General Directorate for Water from the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), TRAGSA Group, the State Trading Company for Agricultural Infrastructures (SEIASA), the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the Iturriaga Dañobeitia Foundation.

When presenting the Master, Playán explains: “The Master’s teaching programme covers the whole water cycle in response to the needs of the sector and addresses the challenge of modernising irrigation systems to achieve sustainable food production”.

The next edition of the Master will commence in October 2024 with a duration of two years (120 ECTS). In the second year, and in partnership with different collaborating institutions, students will engage in research and professional activities and work towards their End of Master Thesis (TFM). Upon completion of the required credits, students are awarded an International Master of Science (MSc) degree, recognised by the Spanish authorities as equivalent to the official Master’s degree of the Spanish university system.

WORLD WATER DAY

The slogan for World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’. Find out more about the World Water Day on the United Nations website.