As part of its efforts to support international scientific relations and enhance collaborative research, Prof. Dr. Sherif Mohamady, President of the National Water Research Center (NWRC), received Dr. Nader Nour Eldin Al-Aqib today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Dr. Al-Aqib is a senior visiting researcher at the University of Cologne (Universität zu Köln), Germany, specializing in hydrology, climate change, and the water–food–energy–environment nexus. During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas such as capacity building, and joint research proposals focused on addressing water-related challenges. Key topics included: Integration between water, food, and energy Low-cost desalination technologies for agriculture Expected climate change impacts on water resources It was agreed that NWRC will act as a research partner in Egypt for the University of Cologne, recognizing the NWRC’s leading scientific standing in the region. The collaboration will be activated through exchange visits, training activities, and joint applied projects. In this context, Dr. Al-Aqib paid a field visit to the NWRC headquarters in Qanater El Khayreya, where he was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Ahmed Heshad, NWRC Vice President for Research Staff Affairs. The visit explored opportunities for capacity building and advanced training programs, especially those offered in collaboration with German institutions. The visit also included: A tour of the Central Laboratories for Environmental Monitoring, showcasing the center’s advanced water and environmental analysis capabilities A stop at the Hydraulics Research Institute, where Dr. Al-Aqib viewed the natural model halls and received a presentation on the Dirout Barrages model A visit to the Climate Change and Environmental Impact Research Institute to learn about its work on climate resilience. At the end of the visit, Dr. Al-Aqib expressed his appreciation for NWRC’s pivotal role in developing scientific solutions to water challenges and fostering intersectoral integration. It is worth noting that the University of Cologne will participate in the upcoming workshop organized by NWRC at the end of May 2025, as part of the NWRC’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
