WSCC 2018

03. - 05.12.2018 | Nairobi, Kenya

Achieving water security is one of the major challenges faced by society at both global and local levels, since it is essential to promote economic and social development as well as resource sustainability. Recent global agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction relate substantially to questions of water security.

The necessity of a platform for academics and practitioners from various sectors to discuss the diverse facets of water security in dynamic environments and its relation to climate variability and change was highlighted during the WSCC 2016 conference at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, which forms the rationale behind the WSCC 2017.

The WSCC 2017 at TH Köln aimed to build a bridge between disciplines, sectors and different groups of stakeholders. The conference served as a platform for discussions towards water secure societies by providing a stimulating environment in which to yield innovative ideas and offer feasible means of implementing options.

The WSCC 2018 at Kenyatta University takes up the “bridge-building” aspect of WCSS 2017 and will provide continuity in serving as a platform for discussions towards water secure societies. The conference will be a stimulus for discussing new and innovative ideas with special attention to SDGs dealing with “Zero Hunger and Food Security”, “Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation”, “Clean Water and Sanitation”, “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, and “Combating climate change and its impacts”.

In all aspects, water security is the main focus, as reflected in the conference sessions and dialogue forums. Space is given to meet the new dimensions and perspectives in the current discourse on water security and related SDGs. Against this background researchers, professionals, practitioners, politicians, industry, NGOs and other thematically involved societal groups are invited to enter the interactive, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary conference space.

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Participants
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Inspiring Keynotes
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Impressions

A photo gallery with impression from WSCC 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya will be available soon.

Conference Materials

Programme Booklet 2018

Book of Abstracts 2018

Organized by

Kenyatta University

When you come to Kenyatta University,you discover that you have arrived at a special place.The University’s Main Campus is set on over 1,000 acres with a pleasant and serene surrounding conducive to academic and intellectual growth.

Kenyatta University is home to some of the world’s top scholars, researchers and experts in diverse fields. We pride ourselves in providing high quality programmes that attract individuals who wish to be globally competitive. To achieve this, we have invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities to offer our students the best experience in quality academic programmes under a nurturing environment in which our students learn and grow.

Kenyatta University is one of the leading universities in Kenya judging by the quality of our graduates. Our aim is not only to maintain this position, but to improve further and attain our vision of becoming a world-class university that is committed to quality and relevance.

What gives graduates of Kenyatta University a cutting edge over their peers is the University’s emphasis on practical hands-on knowledge and the skills training imparted to its students. Towards this noble end, Kenyatta University has established meaningful links with industrial partners, who guide the University on practical, professional requirements which need to be built into programmes at Kenyatta University.

As a result, the University’s courses give our graduates a distinct advantage in the workplace. Already, many of our graduates are exposed to new employment opportunities by accessing industrial attachments during their study, or through course related placements.

www.ku.ac.ke

CNRD – Centers for Natural Resources and Development
CNRD is a worldwide university network promoting academic exchange and cooperation in the area of natural resources management, in particular related to water, land, ecosystem and renewable energy resources in the context of the UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs). In teaching and research, CNRD pursues transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to natural resource management which is necessary for understanding and solving the most pressing problems of today.

CNRD aspires to create a worldwide network of postgraduate courses related to natural resources management and development with an interdisciplinary and intercultural orientation. To achieve this objective there are a variety of initiatives, starting with CNRD semester scholarships for Master’s students. The teaching capacities of the members of CNRD are strengthened through individual and didactic staff support and curriculum development workshops. The other CNRD activities in Education include joint development of teaching material and e-learning modules on the four main CNRD topics is supported by CNRD and lecturer exchange between all universities involved.

The CNRD network fosters interdisciplinary research addressing the challenges related to the SDGs. The CNRD-exceed partners engage in consortia to develop competitive research proposals. These proposals target most interesting national and international calls and aim at strengthening the research capacities as well as widening the research portfolio at the partner universities.

Along with education and research, the third pillar of activities within CNRD exceed is capacity development (CD). In addition to generating knowledge by conducting problem-oriented (applied) research, the key role of the universities is to enhance individual capacities, e.g., in post-graduate education. There is a global network of experts providing sound, science-based governance advice and transferring scientific knowledge into applicable management strategies, as well as, contributing to close the gap between academic education and the constantly changing demands experts and decision-makers face in their day-to-day business.

SWINDON – International Network on Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries
The primary goal of the Braunschweig Competence Centre and its international cooperation partners is to promote capacity building, knowledge transfer, and to develop core proposals for sustainable water management. The latter includes technologies for manifold use and reuse of water. For instance two thirds of fresh water worldwide is currently used in agriculture that literally drains away into the ground. Here, treated wastewater could be recycled and reused for further application, e.g. in agriculture. The water utilized in the industrial sector could also be recycled and reused.
Overall research fields include Sanitary Engineering, Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Water Quality, Waste Management, and Water Governance.

The global project network of exceed-Swindon consists of 29 full member institutions in 15 countries on 4 continents. Each of these institutions is represented by a renowned scientist who has his research focus on water problems. The network considers cooperation, education, and knowledge transfer within the water research and management area to be an indispensable condition for solving present and, in particular, further water-related problems. The mission, first of all, is to inspire and promote exceed-Swindon members in being an international community of academic and practice-oriented professionals, graduated students concerned with water, and a global source of knowledge.

FSC – Food Security Center

The Food Security Center (FSC) at the University of Hohenheim, Germany, is part of the DAAD program EXCEED – Higher Education in Development Cooperation. Food Security is one of the strengths of the University of Hohenheim since its foundation in 1818.

The FSC’s mission is to provide innovative and effective scientific findings to reduce hunger and achieve food security, contributing towards the major goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs),in particular to zero hunger (SDG 2) and no poverty (SDG 1).

FSC promotes and ensures an excellent education and training of young international scientists.

Within its international networks in the field of food security, FSC utilizes a multi- and transdisciplinary approach through teaching, conducting research, and providing policy advice in coopera­tion with national and international development organizations and partner institutions.

FSC is partner of the BMZ special initiative „ONE WORLD – No Hunger“. The center provides accompanying research for this program.

In cooperation with

EXCEED – Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation

 

The program “Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation” (Exceed) is composed of five higher education institutions in Germany (Technical University Braunschweig, University of Hohenheim, University of Kassel, Cologne University of Applied Sciences and Ludwig-Maximilians-University München) and their partners in developing countries. Exceed was established by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in 2009 and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) since its inauguration.

The main objectives of the program are:

  1. Bringing together research and training at higher education institutions in Germany and developing countries with a direct link to the post-2015 development agenda.
  2. Deepening and expanding education and research on issues of relevance on the topic of development cooperation.
  3. Establishing competence centers for development cooperation at higher education institutions that can serve as “beacons of excellence” by conducting research that are internationally attractive and competitive.
  4. Strengthening North-South as well as South-South cooperation in higher education and research.
  5. Expanding policy analysis and consultancy on issues of development cooperation in developing countries and Germany.

Each of the five Exceed centers concentrate on different topics relevant for the post-2015 development agenda. The centers in cooperation with their partners in developing countries have established Masters and Doctoral degrees, initiated joint research projects, exchanged researchers, published papers and carried out international conferences – thereby contributing to the post-2015 development agenda. Since the 2nd funding phase, the individual centers have started joint activities to further enhance the contribution of Exceed to development cooperation.

By clicking the respective link, you will find further information on the individual Exceed centers, their projects and their partners:

EXCEED is funded by:


AIT – Asian Institute of Technology
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) promotes technological change and sustainable development in the Asian-Pacific region through higher education, research and outreach. Established in Bangkok in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution and is actively working with public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some of the top universities in the world. Recognized for its multinational, multicultural ethos, the Institute operates as a self-contained international community at its campus located 40km north of downtown Bangkok, Thailand. AIT has three schools, namely, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), and School of Management (SOM). Education, research and outreach activities are carried out through various academic programs in different departments in three Schools. Visit www.ait.asia for more information.

The Water Engineering and Management (WEM) program in the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering in SET imparts education and training towards an understanding of the complexity of water cycle, utilization, and management. It offers a balanced curriculum covering both engineering and management aspects of water resources to meet today’s major challenges for water engineers and managers include securing water for people and for food production, protecting vital ecosystems, and dealing with climate variability and change and uncertainty of water in space and time. Students acquire knowledge and hands-on practice in tools and techniques to come up with viable and sustainable solution for water, food, energy, and environmental security. Students conduct research on country-specific water related problems, and have opportunities to join research and internship programs with industries and partners.

The first “Water security and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities in Asia” Conference (WSCC2016) was held from 29 November to 01 December 2016 at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Funded by

Scientific Committee

For access to submitted abstracts and thematic sessions click here

Prof. Dr. James B. Kung’u Dean, School of Environmental Studies, Kenyatta University Nairobi Kenya
Prof. Dr. Andreas Haarstrick Coordinator, Center for Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries at Technische Universität Braunschweig Germany
Prof. Dr. Lars Ribbe Director, Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT), Technische Hochschule Köln Germany
Prof. Mukand Babel Professor, Water Engineering and Management (WEM) Chair
Climate Change Asia at Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok (CCA@AIT)
Thailand
Prof. Dr. Reiner Doluschitz Director of the Department of Computer Applications and Business Management in Agriculture, Institute of Farm Management, University of Hohenheim, Director of the Research Center of Cooperatives, Director of the Food Security Center Germany
Prof. Dr. Jan Frank Director of the Department of Biofunctionality and Safety of Food, Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutritional Science, University of Hohenheim, Vice-Director of the Food Security Center Germany
Dr. Jenny Kopsch-Xhema CEO Food Security Center, University of Hohenheim Germany
Dr. Nicole Schönleber CEO Food Security Center, University of Hohenheim Germany
Dr. Sudeh Dehnavi Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT), Technische Hochschule Köln Germany
Prof. Vincent Onywera Registrar, Research, Innovation and Outreach, Kenyatta University Kenya
Prof. Simon Onywere Director, Research Outreach, Kenyatta University Kenya
Prof. Benard Njehia Department of Agribusiness and trade Kenya
Dr. Monica Mucheru Muna Department of Environmental Science Kenya
Dr. Maina Mwangi Department of Agricultural Science and Technology Kenya
Dr. Felix Mingate Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development Kenya
Dr. Simon Maingi Department of Environmental Science Kenya