3
Events

Overview

The JCAR workshop, Cairo Water Week 2021

During the Cairo Water Week on October 20th, the JCAR programme was formally launched during the JCAR Inception Workshop. The inception workshop was split in two parts: the formal launch and the working session, summarized here under.

In the formal launch, the JCAR context was introduced by four keynote speakers:

  • Dr. Ragab Abd Elazim, First Undersecretary of Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation stressed the importance of knowledge and research for the water challenges in Egypt, with an emphasis on modernization.
  • Mr. Wierish Ramsoekh, Deputy Ambassador Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), introduced the JCAR programme as a flagship project of Egyptian-Dutch bilateral cooperation.
  • Dr. Samia el Guindy gave an overview of how the Egypt and the Netherlands share a long history of cooperation in water in the Egyptian-Dutch Advisory Panel (APP);
  • Mr. William Oliemans, JCAR team leader, gave an overview of the JCAR programme and presented the activities undertaken up to now, including meetings with the implementing agencies.

Thereafter, the main MWRI implementing agencies shared their needs in a panel, composed of:

  • Eng. El-Sayed Ali Shalaby, Head of the Irrigation Department
  • Eng. Mohamed Salah El-Bassiouni, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Drainage Projects (EPADP)
  • Eng. Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Head of the Mechanical and Electrical Department (MED)
  • Eng. Ahmed Abdel Qader, Head of the Shore Protection Authority (SPA)

The panel presentation was introduced by the Head of the Planning Sector Dr. Eman Sayad. In the last part of the formal launch, the JCAR partners introduced their organizations and ambitions to contribute to JCAR. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Stephanie Janssen, senior advisor of Deltares and Dr. Mostafa Badawy, Director of the Valley of Science & Technology, Zewail City University.

During the working session, the content of the JCAR applied research projects was discussed, in 5 separate groups, including researchers from the JCAR partners and MWRI implementing agencies. The aim of the working session was to improve and prioritize existing and new applied research ideas and proposals and match-make these with the needs of implementing agencies. Also, in the meeting a step was made towards developing working teams for the research proposals. The value of working jointly in the JCAR was apparent as all organization showed to have complementary expertise. In the meeting four ideas and proposals were discussed and elaborated. Training and communication for implementing agencies, partners and stakeholders are part and parcel of each applied research project.

  1. Assessment and updating of (controlled) drainage. This proposal intends to develop knowledge to support the improvement of the efficiency of drainage systems in Egypt considering the multiple social, agricultural and environmental changes. The core of the research programme will be the identification and assessment of feasible options for the operation and design of controlled drainage in different agro-ecological zones and in relation to performance criteria. These criteria include costs and investment needs, agroeconomic benefits and ease of operation.
  2. Integrated assessment of irrigation and drainage modernization and innovation. This proposal addresses the widely expressed need to be able to assess the combined impact of irrigation and drainage improvements, many of which have already been set in motion and are on-going. At the heart of this applied research project lies a better understanding of the interrelationships and system effects, considered from an IWRM perspective, as well as socio[1]economic impacts, with an aim to assess ‘what[1]if’ analyses to deal with changes in demand or supply. The focus is on long- and short-term effects of various modern irrigation techniques and controlled drainage at farm-, mesqa- and district- level from a technical, economic, social and environmental perspective, using a multi[1]stakeholder engagement (living lab approach), with the aim to generate more value and contribute to the purpose and objectives of NWRP. The linkage with the applied research proposal on controlled drainage (#1) is key.
  3. PEPSI - Performance Enhancement of Pumping Stations for Irrigation & drainage. This proposal aims at improving the performance of the pumping-auxiliary systems, using advanced operation techniques and software (CFD, PLC) in a selected pilot, with the direct aim to develop updated design criteria. In addition, the proposal includes the assessment of the present technical and financial-economic performance conditions of the available assets and the development of a methodology for asset management by MED, with a view to enhancing overall asset performance.
  4. Egypt North Coast Integrated assessment, developing a digital twin model. Swimming safety (save lives) and erosion of the Rosetta promontory (save land and infrastructure) are urgent priorities for the Shore Protection Authority (SPA), with erosion having potential negative impacts on the whole western part of the Delta. The proposal includes developing a scalable and flexible mathematical model for the near-coastal area, linked to an existing Mediterranean Sea model, that allows for detailed analysis of areas along the whole Mediterranean coast, including both hydrodynamic and morphological aspects. The focus in the project will be on 2 pilots related to 1) swimming safety (rip currents) and 2) erosion of the Rosetta promontory. The digital twin model, based on the principle of open source, will support quantitative underpinning of decision[1]making regarding coastal safety and future developments. Through the Digital Twin both coastal issues can be addressed in an integral manner and the knowledge base will be strengthened. Care will be taken to ensure complementarity with the on-going ICZM project.

Additional topics. Two additional topics were raised: the development of a flash flood warning system and the assessment of the impact of upstream developments. Based on a proposal elaborated by NWRC, the development of a flash flood warning system was discussed in more detail. The aim of this system is the mitigation of potential damage by flash floods and the avoidance of loss of life. The impact of upstream developments, and their impact on decision-making inside Egypt was a second additional topic, which was not elaborated further during the workshop.

Integration and linkages. Important linkages exist between the research topics and needs of the implementing agencies. By selecting 1 or 2 areas, e.g. Governorates or otherwise selected, in which the field experiments or pilots are implemented of the applied research projects, a natural synergy is promoted. Criteria for selection include: i) representativeness for the need and knowledge topics; ii) data availability and models; iii) ease of access; and iv) the presence of implementation projects and foreseen investments. The participants endorsed this approach.

The JCAR workshop, Cairo Water Week 2021

During the Cairo Water Week on October 20th, the JCAR programme was formally launched during the JCAR Inception Workshop. The inception workshop was split in two parts: the formal launch and the working session, summarized here under.

In the formal launch, the JCAR context was introduced by four keynote speakers:

  • Dr. Ragab Abd Elazim, First Undersecretary of Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation stressed the importance of knowledge and research for the water challenges in Egypt, with an emphasis on modernization.
  • Mr. Wierish Ramsoekh, Deputy Ambassador Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), introduced the JCAR programme as a flagship project of Egyptian-Dutch bilateral cooperation.
  • Dr. Samia el Guindy gave an overview of how the Egypt and the Netherlands share a long history of cooperation in water in the Egyptian-Dutch Advisory Panel (APP);
  • Mr. William Oliemans, JCAR team leader, gave an overview of the JCAR programme and presented the activities undertaken up to now, including meetings with the implementing agencies.

Thereafter, the main MWRI implementing agencies shared their needs in a panel, composed of:

  • Eng. El-Sayed Ali Shalaby, Head of the Irrigation Department
  • Eng. Mohamed Salah El-Bassiouni, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Drainage Projects (EPADP)
  • Eng. Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Head of the Mechanical and Electrical Department (MED)
  • Eng. Ahmed Abdel Qader, Head of the Shore Protection Authority (SPA)

The panel presentation was introduced by the Head of the Planning Sector Dr. Eman Sayad. In the last part of the formal launch, the JCAR partners introduced their organizations and ambitions to contribute to JCAR. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Stephanie Janssen, senior advisor of Deltares and Dr. Mostafa Badawy, Director of the Valley of Science & Technology, Zewail City University.

During the working session, the content of the JCAR applied research projects was discussed, in 5 separate groups, including researchers from the JCAR partners and MWRI implementing agencies. The aim of the working session was to improve and prioritize existing and new applied research ideas and proposals and match-make these with the needs of implementing agencies. Also, in the meeting a step was made towards developing working teams for the research proposals. The value of working jointly in the JCAR was apparent as all organization showed to have complementary expertise. In the meeting four ideas and proposals were discussed and elaborated. Training and communication for implementing agencies, partners and stakeholders are part and parcel of each applied research project.

  1. Assessment and updating of (controlled) drainage. This proposal intends to develop knowledge to support the improvement of the efficiency of drainage systems in Egypt considering the multiple social, agricultural and environmental changes. The core of the research programme will be the identification and assessment of feasible options for the operation and design of controlled drainage in different agro-ecological zones and in relation to performance criteria. These criteria include costs and investment needs, agroeconomic benefits and ease of operation.
  2. Integrated assessment of irrigation and drainage modernization and innovation. This proposal addresses the widely expressed need to be able to assess the combined impact of irrigation and drainage improvements, many of which have already been set in motion and are on-going. At the heart of this applied research project lies a better understanding of the interrelationships and system effects, considered from an IWRM perspective, as well as socio[1]economic impacts, with an aim to assess ‘what[1]if’ analyses to deal with changes in demand or supply. The focus is on long- and short-term effects of various modern irrigation techniques and controlled drainage at farm-, mesqa- and district- level from a technical, economic, social and environmental perspective, using a multi[1]stakeholder engagement (living lab approach), with the aim to generate more value and contribute to the purpose and objectives of NWRP. The linkage with the applied research proposal on controlled drainage (#1) is key.
  3. PEPSI - Performance Enhancement of Pumping Stations for Irrigation & drainage. This proposal aims at improving the performance of the pumping-auxiliary systems, using advanced operation techniques and software (CFD, PLC) in a selected pilot, with the direct aim to develop updated design criteria. In addition, the proposal includes the assessment of the present technical and financial-economic performance conditions of the available assets and the development of a methodology for asset management by MED, with a view to enhancing overall asset performance.
  4. Egypt North Coast Integrated assessment, developing a digital twin model. Swimming safety (save lives) and erosion of the Rosetta promontory (save land and infrastructure) are urgent priorities for the Shore Protection Authority (SPA), with erosion having potential negative impacts on the whole western part of the Delta. The proposal includes developing a scalable and flexible mathematical model for the near-coastal area, linked to an existing Mediterranean Sea model, that allows for detailed analysis of areas along the whole Mediterranean coast, including both hydrodynamic and morphological aspects. The focus in the project will be on 2 pilots related to 1) swimming safety (rip currents) and 2) erosion of the Rosetta promontory. The digital twin model, based on the principle of open source, will support quantitative underpinning of decision[1]making regarding coastal safety and future developments. Through the Digital Twin both coastal issues can be addressed in an integral manner and the knowledge base will be strengthened. Care will be taken to ensure complementarity with the on-going ICZM project.

Additional topics. Two additional topics were raised: the development of a flash flood warning system and the assessment of the impact of upstream developments. Based on a proposal elaborated by NWRC, the development of a flash flood warning system was discussed in more detail. The aim of this system is the mitigation of potential damage by flash floods and the avoidance of loss of life. The impact of upstream developments, and their impact on decision-making inside Egypt was a second additional topic, which was not elaborated further during the workshop.

Integration and linkages. Important linkages exist between the research topics and needs of the implementing agencies. By selecting 1 or 2 areas, e.g. Governorates or otherwise selected, in which the field experiments or pilots are implemented of the applied research projects, a natural synergy is promoted. Criteria for selection include: i) representativeness for the need and knowledge topics; ii) data availability and models; iii) ease of access; and iv) the presence of implementation projects and foreseen investments. The participants endorsed this approach.