This is the first academy in the Gulf to tackle water-related issues.

The AWA will chalk out plans to tackle water shortage in the Middle East and coordinate efforts for water resource management in the Arab world, says Dr Rachael McDonnell, senior scientist at the academy.

"The aim of the AWA is to create professionals to deal with the water-related issues in the Arab world. Water shortage is a major issue in the Arab world as it will increase due to the climate change. The AWA will tackle the water issues in the region and offer courses on water management," said Dr McDonnell.

The academy has been set up by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi in coordination with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture in Dubai.

The AWA will act as a training centre for the Cairo-based Arab Water Council.

The official launch of the AWA was held in Abu Dhabi on July 6. It received Dh3.5 million from the Abu Dhabi government and will get $300,000 over three years from the World Bank, while Dh750,000 has been promised by the Islamic Development Bank.

Dr McDonnell said the AWA will give education on an executive level to decision makers and professionals, and will act as a platform to conduct research on water-related issues.

The academy will also organise awareness programmes on water conservation and prepare a database of research on water in the region.

It will provide free postgraduate degrees in water-related fields through affiliations in universities in the region.

It will also offer graduate field research and organise training programmes for scientists, environmentalists, technologists and policymakers to develop a scientific workforce needed for water management.

Our staff reporter

© Khaleej Times 2008

 

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