Capacity Building in Water Resources and Environmental Management in Rwanda

The project builds capacity at the National University (NUR) in Rwanda and trains high-level specialists for the water sector in the region, who will promote the integrated management of water resources.

So far the project has, amongst others, successfully:

• Developed and introduced a two-years Master of Science Degree in Water Resources and Environmental Management (WREM) at NUR;
• Established an inter-disciplinary research group, which carries out research activities related to rural community development;
• Improved the capacity for practical training and research in the field of water resources and environmental management by means of an increase in didactic equipment and laboratory facilities;
• Improved access to information in the field of water resources and environmental management for students and staff.

Rwanda is a relatively small country in central Africa with one of the highest population densities in Africa. Much farming occurs on the fertile, but fragile mountain slopes of predominantly volcanic material. Large scale deforestation, removal of vegetation and the neglect of physical and biological soil conservation have led to severe erosion and land degradation.

Due to the recent violent history Rwanda has a severe shortage of skilled people, which constrains economic growth and social change.

The water sector is one of the sectors impacted by the insufficient trained experts, causing serious threat to the water supply and sanitation services as well as causing environmental degradation.

Within the bilateral cooperation between the Dutch and Rwandan government a capacity building project on water resources management at the National University of Rwanda was defined in 2003. After a bidding procedure UNESCO-IHE was granted the project and started the cooperation with NUR mid-2004.

The project adopts a partnership approach in which staff from NUR and UNESCO-IHE work closely together on the implementation of the project and achieving of the project objectives.

Through a resident expert and regular exchange of other staff members and students close collaboration between the Institutes is promoted.

Project activities include training of NUR staff at PhD, MSc and certificate level, curriculum development and didactical trainings, joint research activities, network and knowledge exchange activities in the region, guest lecture contribution and purchasing of laboratory equipment, books and office equipment.

The project started with an inception phase during the last quarter of 2004 and the first half of 2005. After the inception phase several NUR staff have been trained on curriculum development after which a detailed curriculum has been developed for the WREM MSc programme. In addition to the standard WREM topics the MSc programme focuses on the specific water related condotion of the region, such as erosion problems, water quality and wetland utilization.

To increase the sustainability of the WREM MSc programme at the university a Human Resources Development Plan has been developed. In total 7 staff member of NUR will be trained at MSc level and 6 staff members will be trained at PhD level.

In October 2005 two NUR staff started their MSc studies at UNESCO-IHE and early 2006 one staff member started with his PhD research on Heavy Metal removal mechanisms in natural wastewater treatment systems. Mid 2006 another staff member started her PhD research on assessment of groundwater as source for drinking water supply.

During 2005 and 2006 the laboratory, library and teaching facilities have been up-graded at NUR. In 2006 the first training of laboratory technicians have been given.

In May 2006 the WREM MSc programme started at NUR with 20 highly motivated students in the class. In the first run of the programme the majority of the lectures are given by guest-lecturers from the region and the Netherlands (UNESCO-IHE and ITC). During those lectures NUR staff is trained to take over the modules in following years of the MSc programme.

The main activities in 2007 and 2008 concentrate on starting up the remaining MSc and PhD studies. The focus is on the establishment of a Joint Research Group at NUR. This multi-disciplinary group concentrates on applied science to answer the needs of the Rwandan water sector. NUR staff as well as the PhD and MSc student participate in this research group.

Another focus in 2007/2008 is to strengthen the links of NUR with other universities and regional initiatives. Also the laboratory and library are further up-graded and more short training are given.