Opportunities

Staff Exchange Program between UNZA Integrated Water Resources Management Centre and Copperbelt University (CBU)

Duration: One Week
Participants:

• Prof. Kawawa Banda, University of Zambia (UNZA)
• [Name(s) of CBU staff participants, CBU Faculty of Engineering]

Program Title:

Enhancing Collaborative Water Resources Education and Capacity Building through Staff Exchange

Objective:

To foster knowledge sharing, strengthen regional partnerships, and enhance practical skills in water resources management, benefiting students and staff at both UNZA and CBU.

Aim:

The exchange aims to provide opportunities for collaborative teaching, joint research planning, and capacity development in innovative water management techniques, including remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and integrated water resources planning, thereby enriching academic offerings and research outputs at both institutions.

Proposed Schedule

Day 1: Arrival and Introduction

• Welcome session at CBU/ UNZA
• Overview of each university’s water resources programs and ongoing projects
• Introduction of objectives and expectations
• Full day of presentation by CBU/ UNZA students to visiting Professor

Day 2: Joint Seminar and Workshop

• Presentation by Prof. Kawawa Banda on recent developments in hydrological modeling and remote sensing applications in water management at UNZA
• Interactive workshop on integrating practical tools into curriculum and research activities

Day 3: Classroom and Practical Training

• Collaborative teaching session with CBU faculty led by Prof. Banda on water flow measurement techniques and water quality assessment
• Demonstrations of remote sensing data analysis and GIS applications

Day 4: Research Collaboration and Student Engagement

• Discussion on joint research proposals and funding opportunities
• Planning of student internship and collaborative project supervision
• Online Engagement with postgraduate students from both universities

PhD Scholarship Opportunity: NWO-Funded in Water Resources Management

ZAMSECUR Hydro-Met Academy: Regional Centre of Excellence for Secure Water Management at Scale Through Better Monitoring of Rivers, Water Bodies, and Flood Plains

Institution: University of Zambia, Integrated Water Resources Management Centre (IWRM Centre)

Are you passionate about advancing water management in Africa? The University of Zambia's IWRM Centre, in partnership with TU Delft, invites applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).

Project Overview:

Building on the successful ZAMSECUR project, this PhD research will focus on innovative methods for measuring river discharge — a critical aspect of water management, especially in regions prone to flooding and water scarcity. The project emphasizes developing and deploying remote sensing and hydrological modeling techniques to obtain accurate, real-time data on river flows, water bodies, and flood plains.

Significance:

This research addresses a pressing regional and global need for improved water resource monitoring. Accurate flow measurements can revolutionize how dam operations are managed, reducing costly emergency releases, safeguarding lives and property, and optimizing water use. The methods developed will support water authorities such as WARMA and be showcased at major regional platforms like WaterNet, with the potential for international adoption, supported by organizations like the WMO.

Who Should Apply:

We seek motivated candidates with a strong background in environmental science, hydrology, remote sensing, or related fields, with an interest in applied research and water management solutions for Africa's water challenges.

Academic Requirement: A minimum of a Master's in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), Hydrology, GIS, Environmental Engineering, Civil and Water Engineering, Agric/Irrigation Engineering or similar is required for the application.

Benefits:

• Full funding covering tuition and research expenses
• Training and mentorship from leading experts in water resources management and hydrological modeling
• Opportunities for regional and international collaboration
• Contributing to sustainable water management practices in Africa

Application Details:

Interested candidates should email a CV, academic transcripts, a motivation letter, and contact details for references to the (iwrmcentre@gmail.com) IWRM Centre at the University of Zambia. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.

Join us in transforming water management in Africa through innovative research and national-to-regional impact. Together, we can build a resilient, water-secure future.