Community Service

• In the field of research and studies

The center focuses on investigating the causes of problems related to water and the environment, and searching for practical solutions that fit the local context, through a research and studies unit that includes experts from various specializations who conduct applied research and academic and practical methodologies. Since its establishment, the staff has supervised graduation projects, master’s theses, and consulting studies, with a focus on real community issues such as sewage systems, water desalination, hydrology of surface and groundwater, the balance between supply and demand, community participation, and water policies. The studies unit also includes a multidisciplinary team of engineers, economists, and experts in agriculture, finance, design of water facilities, saline irrigation, sustainable agriculture, water policies, and community guidance, to provide a comprehensive assessment of water and environmental projects.

Some of the main topics that the center addresses in its research include:

– Water resource management.
– Water resources and water pollution.
– Water supply and sanitation in urban and rural areas.
– Water management during droughts and floods.
– Efficient use of water and agriculture, and reducing water loss in drinking water networks.
– Water provision in agriculture and modern irrigation techniques.
– Non-conventional water resources.
– Waste and solid waste management.

The center has conducted important studies such as the assessment of water services at Sana’a University, rainwater quality in Sana’a, the impact of climate change on water resources in Dhamar governorate, groundwater recharge in Wadi Zabid, the application of integrated management in rural areas in Al Mahweet, small water basin management in Sana’a, utilizing rainwater and treatment as alternatives, assessment of water resources in Hadramout, analysis of water-saving irrigation techniques, and the analysis of rainwater harvesting potential in its climate, in addition to studies on seawater desalination and the management of water associated with oil production.

• Qualification and Education Aspects

The Master’s program in Integrated Water Resources Management at the Water and Environment Center – Sana’a University is an academic program developed in collaboration with Wageningen University and Delft University in the Netherlands. It combines theory and practice, focusing on climate change issues and water security. It is characterized by its multiple specializations and attracts students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have practical experience, qualifying them to provide sustainable solutions and to pursue a PhD or work in research, consulting, and the government sector. The center works on building community capacities and qualifying them to competently hold many leadership positions in ministries, universities, and local and international organizations, contributing to a wide professional network that aids in the sector’s development. The center provides a fully equipped learning environment that includes classrooms with projectors, smart screens, loudspeaker’s systems, air conditioning, and teaching aids such as whiteboards and flipcharts, in addition to internet and library services. It is also keen on enriching the student experience by hosting international experts from the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, and others through regular virtual seminars.

• Training and Capacity Building

The Water and Environment Center implements numerous courses aimed at building the capacities of the water and environment sector and related entities, in addition to qualifying Yemeni personnel in advanced and modern skills that are not available in Yemen through train-the-trainer programs and the qualification of national experts. The center also works on implementing activities, seminars, meetings, visits, and workshops that bring together experts and innovators at the national, regional, and global levels with the aim of exchanging experiences locally, regionally, and globally.The center offers a comprehensive set of specialized training courses that meet the needs of the water and environment sector, covering technical, managerial, and social topics directly related to skill development and capacity building. These courses cover multiple areas including Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), preparing environmental management plans, terms of reference, and reviewing environmental studies, alongside practical case studies from various sectors. They also address rural wastewater treatment programs in terms of design, operation, and maintenance using simplified software tools. The courses also include topics on community participation and awareness raising, dam design and operation, flood water harvesting, gender issues in the water sector, and the use of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (GIS/RS) at both beginner and advanced levels. Additionally, they cover the fundamentals of groundwater and its modeling, hydrological chemistry and water quality, and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). In the agricultural sector, courses are available on modern irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation, as well as water conservation through improved irrigation techniques. Specialized programs are also offered for the operation and maintenance of rainwater harvesting projects and rural water supply projects, alongside topics on sanitation inside and outside buildings, wastewater collection systems, supervision of well drilling, and management of non-revenue water (NRW). These programs are complemented by courses in hydrology and hydrogeology, characteristics of wastewater, and their impact on the operation of treatment plants, as well as decentralized awareness programs on wastewater management, and related socio-economic surveys.

The Water and Environment Center recently implemented a training program that lasted for a year and a half, targeting the workforce in the water, sanitation, and road sectors. The program included a wide range of technical and administrative topics, with the assistance of numerous experts from Sana’a University in areas such as: water treatment, water loss, contracts and procurement, monitoring and evaluation, solar energy, occupational safety, and more. The center has a fully integrated infrastructure for executing training programs, which includes equipped hallways, sound systems, internet service, and comfortable health and service facilities. It is also managed by a qualified team that includes training management, financial management, a monitoring and evaluation unit, and quality control, ensuring the implementation of effective training programs with impact.

• Consulting Services Sector

The center has conducted numerous studies and consultations for government entities aimed at contributing to solving the problems faced by the water and environmental sectors in the Republic of Yemen. The Water and Environment Center is connected with international and governmental organizations that have placed their trust in the center’s competence and capabilities to identify the optimal options among what is available, making it a reliable consulting entity for many projects, including: the hydrological study of the Sana’a basin, improved management of water resources in displaced communities in Yemen (environmental and social management plan and framework for the International Organization for Migration’s projects in Sana’a, Ibb, and northern Taiz). The center provides consulting services and works as an integral part of the teams for the beneficiary entities, contributing to the development of innovative solutions and designing effective and sustainable approaches in terms of cost and results, while ensuring the active involvement of stakeholders in all stages of the work. The main areas of projects implemented by the center include strengthening policies and legal and regulatory frameworks for the water sector, supporting reforming the sector and updating its mechanisms, in addition to improving water services and environmental sanitation to ensure their efficient and equitable access. The center is also working to enhance participatory planning and management of water resources to meet the increasing demand for them, and to improve water resources assessment systems and document the rights to use them. Special attention is given to supporting livelihoods and enhancing the resilience of targeted communities, in addition to improving flood water management and investing it in agriculture to achieve water and food security.