4-day Alumni Event in Leuven & Brussels

Spring 2017

IUPWARE Alumni with innumerable facets converged from far and wide for a remarkable water cloud symposium and a social reunion at the Atomium

The interuniversity program in waterresources engineering (IUPWARE)jointly managed by KU Leuven and VrijeUniversiteit Brussel organized a specialevent.. Read more

Photo Gallery

Facts:

SYMPOSIUM ALUMNI EVENTRoyal Flemish Academy of Science VUB KU Leuven

Read more Pg 5-10 Workshops Pg 11 Alumni feedback Pg 12

Newsletter Team Leaders and Contributors:

Content and Photo Editor-in-Chief: Michael A. Akinbolusere

Team Coordinator and Layout Assistant: Veronica Minaya

Layout Designer: Ragna Frans

Reporters:

Douglas Nyolei, Hellen Aluku, Sarah Mutua, James Celray, Guido Wyseure, Veronica Minaya, Michael A. Akinbolusere

Photographers:

Ihab Lubab, Sayed Mustafa, Janik Kukral, Ann Van Griensven, Arvind Jayashankar,

Michael A. Akinbolusere

Sincere appreciation to Ann Van Driessche, the director of the Marketing,Communication and Events Department of VUB, Pleinlaan 9, 1050 Brusselsmarcom@vub.ac.be and the Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering(VUB).

Contact us:

Prof. Ann van Griensven(VUB)

Read more Pg 13

Stories from Vicente, Fekadu, Winfred, Riadand others…

Read more Pg 16-22

IUPWARE-Alumni COOPERATE with Flemish Private Sector

Read more Pg 14-15

INTERVIEW COLLABORATIONSALUMNI

TESTIMONIALS

2

iupware@kuleuven.behydr@vub.ac.be

Welcoming Speech of Director of VLIR-UOS –Kristien Verbrugghen

“Dear professors, Dear colleagues, Dear guests,Dear students and alumni, from all over theworld. As director of VLIR-UOS it is a great honourto be here and to be given the opportunity toaddress you all. In one way or another we areconnected.”

VLIR-UOS contributed financially to this event andmore importantly, with its scholarships for theMaster in Water Resource Engineering, Master inHydrology and Master in Irrigation Engineeringfor more than 20 years to students andprofessionals.

It provides partnerships between universities and university colleges in Flanders and the South, whilelooking for innovative responses to global and local challenges by funding cooperation projects betweenprofessors, researchers and teachers. VLIR-UOS – sharing minds, changing lives – strengthens highereducation in the South and aims to trigger and support the internationalisation and globalisation of highereducation in Flanders by rubbing minds, exchange information, knowledge, ideas and experiences that mustlead to changing life for the better for the people in the Southern hemisphere. This cooperation jointlyrespond to those global and local challenges as a result of out of the box thinking that triggers, facilitatesand fosters innovation from various cultural backgrounds. The Master in Water Resource Engineeringprogram is a clear example of the added value of bringing people together, from different culturalbackgrounds, confronted with different societal problems. The effects of poverty, hunger, migration,conflicts and climate change issues faced by nations are felt locally, but the causes and solutions are a globalconcern that can only resolved together with needful knowledge. This bringing together of people, on thebasis of shared problems and challenges, not only stimulates the exchange of a wide variety of knowledge,but also the acquisition of skills that are highly useful in professional as well as in personal life. Socialinnovation is the bridge between knowledge and societal challenges. By applying knowledge in an innovativeway, previously inconceivable solutions can be developed. Knowledge centres – Universities and universitycolleges – create, transfer and apply knowledge. They play a vital role in social innovation by focussing theirresearch and education to find responses to the challenges that our societies encounter. In their respectivefields at their home country, it is important that VLIR-UOS alumni are able to use and transfer the obtainedknowledge and skills, as highly qualified experts in order to respond to local challenges and societal needs.Gladly, the programme organisers have kept contact with you in order to create an international network of experts that can share information and knowledge, wherein growth of new partnerships can be established. By aiming to fund the programme for another five years, with joint research in the field with the south, you and your home institution can explore and create partnerships with the IUPWARE programme, and also amongst the alumni network. Moreover, continuous innovative research is all about humans; its all about you – your brains, talents, knowledge and experience, your successes and accomplishments, and their ambitions. The university cooperation for development, precisely, is finding a match with one another –scientific and personal – for a long lasting partnership that fosters knowledge. As a current initiative, valuable experts and professional alumni can share ideas, formulate and send us project proposals.Hopefully, re-connecting with each other will inspire the continual learning, experiences, knowledge and culture sharing, projects and partnerships that will eventual change lives for the better. 3

IUPWARE Alumni with innumerable facets converged from far and wide for a remarkable water cloud symposium and a social reunion at the Atomium

The interuniversity program in water resources engineering (IUPWARE) jointlymanaged by KU Leuven and Vrije Universiteit Brussel organized a special alumnievent – 28 - 31 March 2017. This master program started in 1994 as a mergerbetween the master in hydrology (VUB) and in irrigation engineering (KU Leuven).Both predecessor programs were initiated in the early 1980's. Including the latter,the total numbers of graduates are approximately 975. IUPWARE successfullyaccomplished 3 accreditation visitations and was always at the forefront of newevolutions in water resources teaching and research, which focuses on modelingfor integrated water management. Recently, the International course status ofIUPWARE was reconfirmed after a strong competition between existing and newpotential master programs. ICP status guarantees scholarships by VLIR-UOS for alist of countries. The funding comes from the ministry for developmentcooperation.

The IUPWARE alumni event comprises of a symposium regarding the use of open-source software for water resources engineering and a number of specific alumnimeetings. Intensive discussions and exchanges of ideas between the alumni, thelecturers and the students took place on how to further improve and promote theIUPWARE master program. Other important themes were discussions on thecooperation for teaching and research on water resources between the privatesector and institutions in Flanders and in the South. The discussions onpartnership and cooperation with the alumni allow this long-term program, with alot of tradition, to constantly be up to date.

According to Prof. Guido Wyseure (KULeuven) the highlight of the week was asocial evening reception withapproximately 100 participants at theAtomium with an overview the city ofBrussels.

4

Multi-disciplinarily research approach together with a dedicated socio-political system to save

livelihoods in Vu Gia Thu Bon River basin

Extreme hydrological events are part ofnature and they don’t have to bedevastating. This is a true statement forthe Vu Gia Thu Bon River delta areaaround Hoi An where destructive floodshave frequently occurred. A team fromthe Research Centre for Climate Change(RCCC) of the Nong Lam University, Ho ChiMinh City, Vietnam have developed aconceptual model that includes a coupledsurface water – river flow modeling tool(SWAT & HEC-RAS) for the river catchmentand at the same time using a GISplatform, WebGIS, for visualization and IT(3G, 4G network) for communication.

Soon the farmers will get advancewarning in case of a flood event.

Deficiency in technical knowhow has notprevented the team from saving thelivelihoods of the people. Amultidisciplinary approach was adopted:sub-teams from Hydrology, GIS &Remote sensing, and IT were formed.International cooperation in the form ofexperts from Belgium, USA, Australia,played a significant role in developmentof the modeling, visualization andcommunication tools. Socio-politicalsupport and dedication was very key.The project is mainly funded by theVietnamese government. There was alsoa lot of stakeholder participation.

Kim LoiHo Chi Minh University

Vietnam

5

Sophisticated water resources assessment becomes a reality in Tanzania

Introduction of the open-source Arduinoelectronics prototyping platform is agame changer in water resourcesassessment in developing countries. Inthe past, huge costs involved in waterresources assessment has partly led toungauged/poorly gauged river/lake basinsin this region. For over a year, thedepartment of Engineering Sciences andTechnology of the Sokoine University ofAgriculture, Tanzania has used theArduino platform in conjunction with lowcost environmental sensors to create alow cost semi-automated water resourcesdatabase.

In addition to the relatively low costs, anumber of factors and players have madeArduino platform attractive in Tanzania. Itis a well-studied concept and thedocumentation is readily available in open-source platforms. There is also a large‘community support’ that makes it easy toaddress almost any technicality. InTanzania, the power source has beenadapted by using solar power, which isreadily available, clean and cheap. Finally,the existence of 3G and 4G networks inalmost every part of the habited worldhave made real time reporting possible.

Winfred MbunguSokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania

6

The use of cloud computing for SWAT calibration; gSWAT

The presentation focused oncalibrating SWAT models over thecloud instead of using own computers.A platform called gSWATCloud wasintroduced. The platform consists ofthree layers; the user interface,services (Upload/Process/Download)and Infrastructure (e.g. OpenStack,Amazon Cloud). The user uploads theirmodel to the infrastructure withmultiple virtual machines where thecalibration process.

There are several advantages to thisplatform including the ability tocalibrate multiple SWAT models in aproject at the same time and itsapproach of distributing and runningthe job in parallel on multiple machines.These two features save a lot of time forthe modeler. It is worth mentioning thatthe interface of the platform is in a webbrowser with no need to install anyplugins. This is very important especiallyfor big models where the use ofpersonal computers is not usuallypractical.

Victor BacuTechnical University of Cluj-Napoca

Romania

7

Montblanc Storm surge predictions at high resolution for European case study sites:

Opportunities for cloud computing initiatives

This presentation focused on takingadvantage of the convenience of cloudcomputing to develop a Storm surgepredicting system. By forecasting sealevels for pan-European, and regionalscales, the model providesopportunities to reduce the impacts ofthe surges in the sea level. The modelcouples a circulation model calledSCHISM with Spectral wave model andwind wave model III (WWMIII) topredict Storm Surge Level (SSL).

The setup of the model is that of a 2DBarotropic in nature and has beenvalidated with satisfactory results.However, in spite of using a lowresolution unstructured mesh (2 –150km), model runs times range from1 day to a month. The frictioncoefficient used throughout the modelis also uniform spatially, which is not arepresentation of reality. As such, thepresenter emphasized that while thereare improvements being implementedin the model including increasingresolution, applications of the modelat this stage are just preliminary.

Tomas Fernandez University of FerraraItaly

8

Early Warning System in the Mamoré River -Bolivian Amazon

Delft Fews Bolivia is an early warningmodel which has been developed andimplemented for an area as large as247.450,00 km2 in Bolivia. “The model canpredict 14 days of forecasting including 7days forecast and 7 days flood travel”Mauricio, a 2005 IUPWARE alumni said.The modeled basin size consists of 15 sub-basins.

A combination of a conceptual model(WFlow) and detailed model has beentried out in this project.

The results showed that both models areable make similar predictions. On the onehand using a conceptual model involveslow computation time while on the otherhand the detailed model requires longcomputation time. However, the detailedmodel produces results at numerouspoints in the basin as compared to theconceptual model that produces resultsonly at specified points in the basin. “Basinsize is crucial for resolution purposes”.This project is to be completed in the nextone year.

Mauricio F. VillazónSan Simon University Cochabamba - Bolivia

9

Using conceptual models for water management

Due to the complexity and highcomputation burden of hydrodynamicmodels, semi-empirical (conceptual)models such as linear reservoir,Muskingum routing models etc., havebeen preferred. Conceptual models arelumped representation of reality and arephysically inspired.

“A conceptual model is 500 – 1000 timesfaster than the detailed models such asMIKE 11, Ir. Meert said, adding that suchmodels have several applications such asflood probability maps produced fromGIS mapping and is able to estimate twoday forecast”. Other applications includereal time flood control and HD modelcalibration. In conclusion, Ir. Pieter Meertsaid “the conceptual model is fast andaccurate” and the model in question hasso far been applied for watermanagement in case studies such asDender, Demer and Molenbeek amongothers in Belgium.

Pieter MeertKU Leuven/VUBBelgium

10

During hand-on workshops, training was given on the use of cloud computing for SWAT calibration and uncertainty analysis using gSWATcloud application. In addition, a training was given on using cloud computations to run sensitivity analysis on hydrological model parameters using R-scripts.

11

Hands – on Workshops

In terms of newer content more attention should begiven to modern approaches of ecosystem restorationlife-cycle analysis during water resources works andnot only the hydrology and hydraulics. Also waterquality, project management, working with big dataand the use of open source software should be moreexplicitly included. A major structural change is toinclude internships as part of the curriculum.

Better promotionMany ideas on better promotion were offered by the

alumni. A network of alumni with representatives in the

scholarship countries would help a lot. Several

electronic gateways should be used. A combination of

the iupware web-site and social media including

Facebook and Linked-in can be used. Brochures should

be distributed including living cost and conditions,

which are essential for candidates.

Speed-dating between students and alumniThe students also had the opportunity to discuss withalumni on professional careers in water resourcesengineering. This was organized like a ‘speed-dating’session, whereby the students went around to thedifferent tables for a period of time. How to apply fora job, for a PhD scholarship, what skills are crucial,how a career is evolving were the typical questions bythe students.

Feedback by alumni and speed-dating with students

On Wednesday afternoon discussions were held between alumni, lecturers and studentrepresentatives. The aim to understand alumni opinions on key competences (knowledge, attitudesand skills) expected from a masters’ program graduate, for example, opportunities for strengtheningour program and if there should be any shift in the emphasis.Firstly, the alumni recognize that Water Resources Engineering should remain engineering oriented.The modelling approach with applications on integrated water management should be kept as a focusand differs fundamentally from "softer" water management courses. Specializing in specific waterresources modelling like groundwater, surface, urban and river hydraulics is our key asset. Waterresource modelling skills are in high demand and only a minority of water managers have thesecapabilities.However, management of water resources should pay more attention to end-users and not only to themodelling of a sustainable water balance of a catchment or an aquifer. This means more attention towater policy, sociology and economics. In terms of work attitude and skills the students should beprepared to succeed in leadership and management positions.

12

Interview to Ann van Griensven – Co-organizer of IUPWARE event (VUB)

Hydrological Modeling

Hydrological programming models are in fact software packages that youtypically install in your computer for advanced calculations. Thesecalculations pertain to the water cycle – rainfall as an input, then processessuch as infiltration, evapotranspiration and transport of water. The modelscalculate these processes and then predict in time and space, the volumeof water in the a given river basin. These tools have additional componentslike chemistry and water quality processes that predict water qualityvariables like oxygen, nutrients and organic pollution.

Cloud Infrastructure

Cloud infrastructure and cloud computing are terminologies with indefiniteinterpretation. However, in my opinion, calculations are made via the useof computing power. This is not done on one desktop computer, but

through the use of infrastructure that is more powerful and that one can access through the internet. Itcould be a super-computing infrastructure from a university or research center that requires severalcomputations. For this reason, there is a lot of power that is made available through the Internet.Computing & Processing Huge DataWhen working with high resolution remote sensing images, the way in which this data is processed changesthe required computing power due to such large data requirements. The increasingly frequent highresolution images that are becoming available increase the data requirement substantially. Processing thisdata poses a new challenge due to inadequacy of processing and storage on a simple computer.

13

Alumni Event and SymposiumExpectations

This symposium aims to connecthydrologist and hydrological modelerswith computer engineers who areskilled in cloud computing applicationsand developments. This reunion re-connects and connects alumni andrelevant parties, thereby encouragingthe participants to link and learn moreabout each other’s field of expertise.More co-operation between alumniare encouraged. Several technologiesthat are currently under development,paint a picture of what can be done inthe future. For instance, how the use ofsocial media like twitter can fosterinformation collection. For a givenflooding event, if relevant messagescan be located, the location andtiming of the event can be obtained,easing data collection. This new sourceof information gathering could beinteresting for water resourcesmanagers. Certainly, this event was asuccess!

Vision for the Alumni Attendants in the Symposium andWorkshopsHopefully, we can develop these tools together and usethem in their programs and training. The idea is toincorporate more of these tools in our Master program andthis could be done together with the alumni that havesimilar courses and programs. Also, as an initiative of a co-development and capacity development between thealumni network and respective institutions, the same toolscan certainly be utilized.The Big Picture for Water Quality, Water Management andSustainabilityUtilizing cloud infrastructure or using remote infrastructuregives high capacity for calculations, which support modelsthat are used for water management. One importantelement of water management is to set up a planningstructure; a program of measures for basins and models canbe used to help predict the impact of certain measures.However, most of these models are very complex and needa lot of time for computations, especially if one wants tohave additional information like uncertainty analysis. Thereis the need to make many simulations and typical desktopcomputers are largely insufficient for these types ofapplications. It is foreseen that the use of cloudinfrastructure and high performance computing will bepossible.

People that would like to work with them should be interested in projects working between sciences andpractical applications. They are also looking for partner institutions and companies in Flanders but alsoworldwide. For more information: www.agt.be Contact person: Pieter Haest – pieterjan.haest@agt.beHydroscan is a group of three companies in the field of water management: Hydroscan Consultancycompany, HydroSurfaces, which is a monitoring company and data collection and InnoTech, which is thetechnology brand of the company. Hydroscan has been working with most of the drinking water companies inFlanders. They have developed their own technologies in the drinking water system in collaboration withdrinking water companies. Hydroscan works in operational flood management projects, which is one of themost important projects that produces sensitive measurements for the region of Flanders together with aBritish partner that provides software and technology.Hydroscan has several international projects and they have a tradition of working with international students.At the moment they are working in three innovative areas with applied research: Sewage acid management,drinking water and operational flood forecasting. For more information see: http://www.hydroscan.be/Contact persons: Patrick Swartenbroekx - patrick.swartenbroekx@hydroscan.be and Frank Provost -frank.provost@hydroscan.beEnhancing CollaborationAfter the presentations, a discussion for potential collaboration took place, to consider establishing aconsortium of industry and academia in order to develop innovative ideas in the water sector. All industrypartners adhere to a shared goal of innovation with the awareness that the universities play a vital role thatpropels everyone towards a vision. VUB is already working with KU Leuven, which is a good example of inter-academic collaboration. Thus, the next step is to welcome the industry on board. On that regard, IUPWAREprogram prepares the students to go into the private sector. This potential platform initiates a collaborationthat launches alumni into the "Job Market for young researchers", which is an annual activity held at the VUB.Another initiative is to have a database where current students and alumni can be registered as well asdifferent companies for the sole aim of collaboration. This database could be set-up within the IUPWAREwebsite and should allow interactions among the different members in a forum-type dashboard in order tocollect and exchange ideas, post calls and vacancies, have regular e-meetings and find potentialcollaborations through a searchable and sortable database. There is the believe that these type of discussionsare essential and should be kept as part of all alumni events in the future.

Co-operations between IUPWARE Alumni and Private Sector in Flanders

The aim of this concept was to discusspossibilities to have a strong collaborationbetween alumni and the private sector. AGTand Hydroscan, two private consultancycompanies, gave presentations with anoverview of their different projects andopportunities for collaboration with theacademia field.AGT: a small consultancy company workingon groundwater and hydrogeologicalmodeling engages in follow-up of projects inthe construction phase. For the moment,AGT seeks for groundwater modelers whoare proficient in Dutch, since the work ismainly for Flemish contractors.

14

Partnership meeting with Alumni

The productive meeting resulted into manyopportunities for collaborations betweenVUB and alumni in 'Collaborations with theSouth'. According to the list provided byVLIR:http://www.vliruos.be/en/countries/overview/ this includes around 20 countries inSouth America, Asia and Africa.Prof Guido Wyseure talked aboutpossibilities of one semester exchangewhereby an integrated project together withthe thesis research can be organized. Withinthe integrated project it would be better toinclude local students especially duringfieldwork when it is needed to talk to thecommunity and local farmers.Another alternative could be to put together a package of courses that can be organized for an exchangesemester, but it requires a similar MSc program with equivalent courses. These options are stepping stonesfor the cooperation.The representative of the Development Cooperation and International Relations and Mobility Office, Mrs.Francoise de Cupere was the special guest. She highlighted the importance of working with countries in theSouth in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as Sustainability. There are many optionsfor cooperation and project's funding between VUB and IUPWARE Alumni, which aims to enhance the bondbetween them. VLIR has always been the main sponsor of the University Development cooperation inFlanders; the IUPWARE program is part of this cooperation. Besides the scholarships, there are other waysof collaboration. At the moment the call for 'South Initiatives' has been launched. The main idea behind thisinitiative is the collaboration between Institutions in Flanders as well as Flemish NGO's working actively inthe Southern countries towards one goal with a deadline – May 12th. The background documents, thestrategies and the main priorities (from the academy and the private sector per country) can be found in theVLIR website. The alumni who reconnected at the event had a nice avenue that created networking andopportunities. The 'Joint Program' where many participants had common interests fostered the exchange ofideas for collaboration among different universities in the South.VLIR launched a program called 'Global Minds' aiming for capacity building towards the developmentcooperation of academics, students and administrative community. This develops needful skills fordevelopment cooperation projects. There is a call for incoming and outgoing staff mobility, within theprogram during the year. This funding opportunity must have a relevant development with concrete resultsthat should contribute to VUB's capacity building and which can be used for individual or group mobility.

For more information regarding opportunities for cooperation and funding:VUB - http://www.vub.ac.be/en/events/2017/global-minds-2017-callsVLIR- http://www.vliruos.be/en/project-funding/calls-for-applications/calldetail/call-for-projects--team-south-initiatives-and-joint-2018_8697/EU capacity development - https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/programme-guide/part-b/three-key-actions/key-action-2/capacity-building-field-higher-education_en

15

Alumni testimonials

A civil engineer from Ecuador, graduate of the1997 alumni– Mr Raul F. Vazquez Z., indicatedthat this event aims to build a network of waterresources engineering alumni in order to shareinterest, knowledge and discover more insight incloud computing for water resourcesmanagement.

In practice, water resources involves certainmodels that require a substantial amount ofinformation that are utilised in order to producereliable predictions. These predictions helpsdecision and policy makers managing waterresources at the local and international scale.These models process large amounts of data tounderstand information for which the quality ofoutput is key in fostering reliable consensusregarding the water resources of a particularstudy area.

Dr. Raul F. VazquezUniversidad de Cuenca - Ecuador

Relatively new algorithms and technology are used to run these complicated models with cutting-edgesoftware and hardware necessary to process and analyse a large amount of information.

In Ecuador, there is a problematic phenomenon known as the warming of the ocean. This is thephenomenon whereby a significant amount of unusual rainfall and drought– within and beyond theAtlantic regions – occurs in certain areas. Infrastructural damage, minimal economic deficit, disasters andlose of lives are inevitable. These models help forecast and evaluate potential climate measures in orderto mitigate these issues.

At the global scale of climate change or in the context of the potential effect regarding water resources,large amount of satellite data needs the use of models to process and interpret these data. Decades ago,there was an information deficit regarding water resources management currently being mitigatedthrough the increasing use of satellite data.

The use of a combination of data collected through modelling techniques and satellite images canincrease the reliability of information being obtained regarding water resources

16

The phenomenon of river fascinates Vicente Tinoco. As aformer Civil Engineer from Ecuador and an IUPWARE alumnus(2012-2014), he is a lecturer at Universidad de Cuenca,Ecuador, where he conducted research and extension projectsin the same University at the Water and Soil ManagementProgram (PROMAS). He’s currently a PhD researcher at UCBerkeley, with study focusing on rivers, sediments, damplanning, and sustainable reservoir sediment management.

Vicente TinocoUC Berkeley - USA

How the IUPWARE Program created Opportunities in the Labor Market

I was hired by University of Cuenca, Water Resources and Soil Management Program(PROMAS) for conducting river modeling for two water intakes, in an extension project forirrigation in Ecuador. During that time, I was hired as a lecturer for a Master course in roaddrainage at Universidad de Cuenca’s department of civil engineering within 5 weeks of beenan alumnus of IUPWARE. This created further opportunity to be a fulltime lecturer at thesame University. I accepted this opportunity without thinking twice, teaching studentsamongst them were experienced and older professionals. This experience, as challenging as itwas with overbooked proposals, represents the beginning of productive schedules andactivities with a constant state to find a good balance when dealing with challenges.

Qualities of a Hydro-specialist

Out of the box thinking is a necessary quality. Do not stay in your comfort zone, and when dealing with a problem or project always have the big picture in mind. While conducting research or engaging in a project with your competences, knowledge and vital skills, take relevant risks, learn from fulfilling short-term goals, and reflect on what those goals will achieve on the long run regarding contributing to the needs of people and the environment.

17

Dr. Fekadu Moreda (1994 alumnus), is currently a seniorhydrological Modeler at the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) US.He worked for the Ethiopian government and heard aboutIUPWARE program while attending a course that is jointlyfacilitated by the Kenya Meteorological Department and aninternational team that teaches IUPWARE program. Immediatelyafter completing the IUPWARE Program, Dr Fekadu remained atVUB as a teaching assistant, while pursuing his PhD, which hecompleted in 1999. He then went to the US, to take up theposition of Post-Doc in Oklahoma before joining NOAA andthereafter, his current placement at the RTI. The IUPWAREprogram had a great impact on him as it equipped him with thenecessary knowledge and skills in the field of hydrology,hydrologic modeling, GIS and remote sensing. Dr. Fekadu greatlyappreciates the quality of the IUPWARE program, as a result ofthe annual quality of scholars and alumni. Thus, he confidentlyrecommends IUPWARE alumni to employers or engages them invarious assignments and projects.

Dr. Fekadu Moreda Reasearch Triangle Institute

Do you concur with the consensus that IUPWARE Program is detailed in water resourcestraining?

I agree that the IUPWARE program is wide and detailed in water resources training. It prepareswater resources professionals to solve problems in almost all aspects of water resources. This is agood thing. Regarding the discussion about the IUPWARE curriculum, I proposed that incorporationof emerging and new techniques: processing of big data and hydro economics could be considered.

Could you elaborate further on hydro-economics?

To put it simply, Hydro-economics is integrated water resources management, which incorporatesthe economic value of water use as well as economically evaluated water resource systems.

IUPWARE has trained a reasonable number of individuals from sub-Saharan Africa, however theimpact seems to be futile in this region. Any remark regarding this disconnection?

Firstly, the challenges in water resources management that sub-Saharan African encounters shouldbe dealt with worldwide. It is therefore not the problem of water resources professionals that thesechallenges are not getting permanently solutions. Water resources studies should focus on long-term solutions as opposed to the current trend where short term solutions are common.

How do you keep in touch with water resources development in Ethiopia, since you are basedabroad?

My master and PhD studies are based on data from Kenya and Ethiopia. I also keep an activecommunication with my contacts abroad.

What do you think about the usage of water for human development, which will have criticalimpact on water resources when compared to climate change?

Most of the current opposition to climate change is temporary. In the long run, the effect of climatechange will become more evident.

18

Pau Gimeno (left, 2013): I worked as a civil engineer before joining IUPWARE. I like playing with‘earth’, water resources is suitable for me. After IUPWARE I worked as a Project Engineer insanitation and urban water management. I am now doing my PhD at the Catalan Institute for WaterResearch (ICRA). I was able to get a job as a project engineer. I am now a PhD candidate.Klaas Verhoeven (middle, 2010): I have a background in electrical engineering. I joined IUPWARE,because I wanted to get skills that I would use to serve in developing country. Water resourcesmanagement is a major challenge for this vast populated region. My wish to work in certain regionsof Africa was futile. Depending on what I was interested in, I was not able to get a modeling basedjob, because that area is limited. It was not easy to get a job in Belgium. However, I now work as anIT specialist.

Riad Nurmohamed: after my master studies in Water ResourcesEngineering at IUPWARE in 2000, I finished my PhD research incooperation with the Free University Brussels (VUB) and the Antonde Kom University of Suriname in 2008. The title was “The Impact ofClimate Change and Climate Variability on Water Resources inSuriname (a case study in the Upper Suriname river basin)” with myIUPWARE promoter – Prof. Dr. F. de Smedt. Presently, I have beenworking as a full time lecturer and researcher at the University ofSuriname. Teaching, participation in research projects, supervision ofengineering works, publications, presentations, participating inworking groups and events, organization and co-ordination are someof my responsibilities, which I fulfill at both national andinternational level. In 2009, as part of a 10 year VLIR-UOScooperation, I was appointed as the project leader of project 4-5“Master Education and Research program on SustainableManagement of Natural Resources SMNR”. One of the mostimportant outputs of this cooperation was the development of amaster program in SMNR. In 2015, I became a member of theParliament of Suriname and am happily married with a son. 19

Dr. Winfred Mbungu, an alumnus as of 2010, is currently alecturer at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and aresearcher at the Soil Water Management Research Program(SWMRP) at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Afterhis IUPWARE Program, He returned to Sokoine University ofAgriculture (SUA) to continue with his teaching. The IUPWAREprogram had a great impact in his career as it greatlyenhanced his capacity to teach and research. His expertise ismainly in hydrology, hydrologic modeling, GIS, remotesensing, irrigation engineering and Water Resourcesmanagement. Dr. Mbungu believes that teamwork andworking in a diverse environment that embraces sharing ofideas with various disciplines is vital for a person holding aposition like his. He strongly supports the idea of listening andlearning from others through sharing of ideas. In his career, hehas observed that one mistake that fresh graduates oftenmake is lack of responsibility and accountability in their roles.

Dr. Winfred MbunguSokoine University of Agriculture

Dr. Mauricio VillazonSan Simon University

A 2005 alumnus, prof. Mauricio Villazon, is currently a professor atthe San Simon University in Bolivia. He immediately enrolled for aPhD after the IUPWARE program. The program broadens his horizonas it enabled him have the needful competence for the academicfield, which is still currently his line of career. His strengths propelhis career to excellence. He has the capability to work underpressure in a diverse environment with his remarkable GIS andmodeling skills.Prof. Villazon strongly recommends, “for one to be efficient, oneneeds to be able to work with professionals from different fields.”He observes one mistake several young professionals make, whichis the lack of suitable means and skills to communicate accuratelythe results they produce. However, he appreciates that most waterprofessionals constantly take the initiative to work together,especially to prepare projects and proposals with a consistentinnovative thinking.

20

“I attended the KU Leuven part of the great IUPWARE program in 1993. Thereafter, I did a PhD withProf. Jan Feyen at KU Leuven. It was such a peaceful and rewarding experience that basicallychanged the lives of my family. After obtaining my PhD in 1997, I became a post-doc fellow at theUniversity of California, Riverside working with soil physicist Dr. William A. Jury.In 2002, I accepted a faculty position in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences atCalifornia State University, Fresno, and I have been working there ever since. My appointment isflexible in terms of teaching and research proportions,. My evaluated responsibilities are 40%teaching - hydrology, hydrogeology, soil physics, GIS and geostatistics, 30% research - watershedhydrology, post-fire hydrology and dryland fog and dew hydrology and 30% services. Our geologyfaculty are often invited by a local news to talk about water and earthquakes. On January 7th, I wasfeature on FOX26 News: http://kmph-kfre.com/news/local/this-could-be-the-wettest-year-since-drought-local-hydrologist-says. I am pleased to learn how IUPWARE faculty are engaged in cloudhydrology and will like to re-connect with IUPWARE alumni”.

Prof. Zhi (Luke) Wang California State University

21

“In 1991, having spent two years in Belgium between August 1989 and September 1991, I obtaineda master degree in hydrology. My promoter was Prof. De Smedt. I would like to re-connect with allIUPHY students during this period; either PhD students or first or second year of Master degreestudents." - Tarek Mohamed Abdel-Aziz (Deputy Director at the Nile Research Institute, NationalWater Research Center, El Qanater, Egypt)

With this collaboration program in Belgium between VUB and KULeuven – IUPWARE, IMadhu Pd. Bhetuwal obtained my M.Sc. inWater Resources Engineering in 2000-2002. I acquired a habit oflearning, because the enhancement of my knowledge andconfidence in the water resources sector was cultivated by theavailability of libraries, laboratory, experienced, cooperative andhardworking professors who helped a lot to foster learningenvironment. As a result, I have been working in relativelysubstantial study, especially in hydropower project and multipurpose project. As a joint secretary that currently works at theOffice of the Investment Board of the Nepalese government, we areresponsible for the procurement of domestic and foreigninvestments to accelerate infrastructure development on Public andPrivate Partnership model. “I am grateful for the VLIR scholarshipprovided by the Belgian government and respective professors whoprovided invaluable knowledge, sharing vital experiences in cordialatmosphere especially, Prof. Guido Wyseure, Prof. Dirk Raes, Prof.Bauwens, Dr. Patrick Willems”.

Madhu Pd. BhetuwalOffice of theInvestment Board, Government of Nepal

22

For more pictures visit our Album on Facebook

Photo Gallery

23