UNESCO-IHE to train Iranian professionals in water and wastewater

UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, based in The Netherlands, has signed this months an agreement to train 2,100 Iranian water professionals in 2008 and beginning of 2009. The training, to be carried out together with the Power and Water University of Technology of Tehran, will develop and conduct 59 one-week training courses in Iran in the fields of water supply and wastewater technology, operation and maintenance, management and finance. In addition, 20 study tours to European water and wastewater companies for senior managerial and technical staff will be organised.

The project, financed by the Iranian Government, aims to ensure that professionals working for the Water and Wastewater Company (a public facility attached to the Ministry of Energy) will be better prepared to face increasing challenges. The training will specifically focus on topics such as water demand management, design of innovative water and sanitation systems, integrated water management, emergency planning and response, environmental assessment, operation and maintenance of water treatment plants, among others.

The assignment will conclude with an Expert Group Meeting, which will draft the agenda for a continuous Human Resources Development in the Iranian water and wastewater sector beyond this project.