UAE | Environment
Water academy launched amid scarcity concerns
The launch of the first Arab Water Academy brings everyone from academics to policy makers to implement new training initiatives for better water management.
- By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:02 July 7, 2008
Abu Dhabi: On a day-to-day basis, the issue of a water shortage is irrelevant. Water pours from the tap, sprinklers water even the desert and water is still sold in stores - abundantly and cheaply.
But a group of academics, scientists and environmentalists think otherwise. They are in the capital this week to launch a new initiative.
The launch of the first Arab Water Academy brings everyone from academics to policy makers to implement new training initiatives for better water management.
"Water is very scarce in this region," says the World Bank's director for Strategic Cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa, Joseph Saba.
"The Middle East has five per cent of the world's population and only one per cent of the water. Both water quality and quantity are decreasing," Saba says.
The World Bank is backing the Academy with a Dh3m grant over the next three years.
Although the academy is the brainchild of the Arab Water Council in Cairo, it will be based in Abu Dhabi. Professor Patricia Wouters of the Centre for Water Law at the University of Dundee, Scotland, sees Abu Dhabi as the prime host.
Great demand
"In order for this academy to be a success it will have to have the funding of the rich oil states, such as Abu Dhabi. It's intelligent that they are using some of the oil revenue to address this issue of water management," Wouters told Gulf News.
According to the UAE's Minister of Environment and Water, Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, water production is a reflection of a bigger issue.
"The increase in population has put a great demand on water production. We are fortunate that we have been able to meet the demand, but this should not prevent us from looking to the future," Fahd said.
Vijay Jagannathan, the water sector manager with the World Bank says running out of water is not the issue.
"Water supply is endless. The issue is that digging for water has become far more difficult and costly."
Although no date has been set, the Academy is set to open in the next year and will offer an opportunity for the development of policies and strategies.
Abu Dhabi plays host
- The Academy will be based in Abu Dhabi but will have modules in other Arab countries.
- The Academy will offer intensive 1 to 2 week modules
- There will be opportunities for internships (2-6 month)
- Graduate field research
- Affiliation with other universities can lead to an MBA degree in water management
- The International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture will handle logistics and support for the Academy.
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