23 May Desalination Researchers & Alumni Gather at MEDRC
Tuesday 23rd May saw MEDRC Water Research combine two important networking meetings into one event, at their headquarters, in Al Hail, Muscat; namely, The Omani Desalination Research Network and The MEDRC Alumni Lecture Series.
The Omani Desalination Research Network was launched by MEDRC to help promote knowledge exchange between Omani researchers working in desalination. This is the second time this year that the network has come together since they were first formed and launched, in 2016. The network will provide Omani researchers working on desalination technologies with a platform to share experiences and best practice with the hope that their collaboration will have the capacity to develop new and better approaches to overcoming water challenges.
The Alumni Lecture Series offers MEDRC Alumni the opportunity to present their research outputs to a distinguished audience of water actors in Oman. This is the second Lecture Series to take place this year, with the honor of delivering lectures going to Mr. Ali Alsheikh of Al – Najah University, Palestine and Mr. Mohammed Rasool Qtaishat of Jordan University, Jordan. Both students are Alumni of the MEDRC fellowship programme which is a unique initiative designed to support research capacity in Jordan and Palestine. It offers brilliant young researchers with the aptitude but without the means, the chance to further their studies in the field of water research. MEDRC recognizes and supports excellence in water research in universities in the MENA region and has long believed that investing in talented students will have a hugely beneficial impact on the regions ability to work towards a secure and sustainable supply of water for all.
“The idea of combining both meetings is to give the Omani Research Network an opportunity to get to know more about the research undertaken by our most talented alumni, while also offering those same Alumni, an important opportunity to present their research outputs to a wider audience and explore potential collaborations and exchange of know-how.”, said Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, Head of Research, MEDRC.
The audience comprised of researchers and experts representing institutions, universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as those from the private sector involved in desalination and water research in Oman.
Making presentations on the day were: Dr. Tarik ELJADDI (PostDoc Researcher at LRGP-ENSIC, Lorraine University, France), Dr. Mohammed Rasool Qtaishat (Director of Water, Energy and Environment Center – The University of Jordan), Mr. Ali Ibrahim (Agriculture faculty, Al-Najah University, Palestine), Ms. Kawtar Rahaoui (RMIT University- Melbourne, Australia), Ms. Sokina Joseph from the Imperial College (UK), and Mr. Georges Geha from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon).
Participants from different Omani institutions took part in this event, mainly: the Research Council of Oman (TRC), Oman Water Society (OWS), Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW), Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), A’Sharqiyah University (ASU), International Maritime College of Sohar (IMCO), the Middle East College (MEC), the Caledonian College of Engineering (CCE), Oman Refreshment Company, Express Energy & Services Company, Rose Garden TRDG Company and independent consultants.