Master’s Degree Awarded to Researcher Khaled Hassan Mohammed Al-Laith in Integrated Water Resources Management
Mohammed Al-Laith in Integrated Water Resources ManagemResearcher Khaled Hassan Mohammed Al-Laith was awarded a Master’s Degree in Integrated Water Resources Management with distinction for his thesis titled: Identifying Suitable Sites for Rainwater Harvesting Using Geographic Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: A Case Study of Hababa City Sub-Watershed, Amran Governorate, which was submitted to the Water and Environment Center – Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
• Assoc. Prof. Sharafuddin Abdullah Ahmed Saleh – Sana’a University – Internal Examiner and Committee Chair.
• Assoc. Prof. Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Wadei – Sana’a University – Principal Supervisor and Committee Member.
• Assoc. Prof. Ismail Abdullah Mohammed Al-Sabahi – Ibb University – External Examiner and Committee Member.
The study adopted a mixed-methods approach combining spatial analysis and field research through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). It also included a community survey of residents in the study area, interviews and focus group discussions, as well as an expert survey to determine the relative weights of site-selection criteria. In addition, 26 existing rainwater harvesting systems were subjected to field verification.
The study aimed to identify the most suitable sites for establishing rainwater harvesting systems in the Hababa City sub-watershed and to develop a spatial decision-support model integrating natural, social, and economic factors. The model is intended to assist relevant authorities, decision-makers, and local communities in planning and implementing rainwater harvesting projects efficiently and sustainably.
The findings showed that the most influential factors in determining site suitability included rainfall, drainage network density, surface slope, land use and land cover, soil type, geological characteristics, proximity to roads and population settlements, and proximity to geological faults.
The spatial suitability map showed that 7.6% of the study area was classified as having very high suitability, 23% as highly suitable, and 22% as moderately suitable. Meanwhile, 14% of the area was classified as having low suitability, while 33.4% was classified as unsuitable or excluded.
Field verification demonstrated the effectiveness of the developed spatial model, with its results corresponding to actual field conditions at 23 out of 26 existing rainwater harvesting sites, yielding an accuracy rate of 88.46%. This finding underscores the model’s potential as a decision-support tool for identifying prospective sites and guiding future interventions.
The study concluded that it represents a scientific contribution to sustainable water resources planning, as it constitutes the first comprehensive assessment of rainwater harvesting site suitability in Hababa City sub-watershed. It also developed a framework that can be applied and scaled to other watersheds, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas affected by data scarcity and water stress.
The study recommended enhancing local community participation in site verification and in the establishment, operation, and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems. It also recommended adopting the developed model as a planning tool for assessing potential sites in other watersheds across Yemen, alongside developing national guidelines and standards for the selection, design, implementation, and monitoring of such systems.
The study further recommended developing climate, hydrological, and spatial databases; conducting geotechnical studies and environmental impact assessments before implementing projects at proposed sites; and integrating hydrological simulation models with GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis techniques to contribute to strengthening water security and resilience to climate change.
The thesis defense was attended by a number of academic leaders, faculty members, researchers, the researcher’s colleagues, graduate students, and specialists interested in the water and environment sector.
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