Towards A Regional Collaboration – Regional Workshop Held on Establishment of a Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES as a Hub for the Region

06-08 May 2013, Maputo. The Regional Workshop on establishment of a Twin institute of UNU-FLORES as a hub for the region was organized by UNU-FLORES in close cooperation with University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), Dresden University of Technology (TUD) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) of Mozambique. Participating regional stakeholders represented 19 universities and organizations from 14 countries (Botswana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Yemen, Zimbabwe) in Africa. The workshop had the following objectives:

• Identify regional partners for the twin in Maputo and define their role in joint activities;
• Building a network in research and education for the Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES in the region;
• Conceptualize potential joint research activities within the network (topics and suitable regions for case studies);
• Work out a concept for a MSc programme of UNU-FLORES, Maputo considering the joint study programme of UNU-FLORES, Dresden and TUD.

In addition, a student seminar was integrated, in which students enrolled in postgraduate programmes of UEM and TUD analyzed and compared available study programmes related to the topic of UNU-FLORES and worked out required components of a curriculum on integrated management of environmental resources.

The workshop succeeded in identifying four research projects in Africa and defining the required contribution of involved partners. These initiatives will be followed immediately by the established research consortia. Among other activities on capacity development, the concept for a joint MSc programme on integrated management of water, soil and waste was discussed. A currently worked-out concept of a joint programme of UNU-FLORES, Dresden and TUD may serve as a blueprint which can be modified according to the needs and the legislative and administrative framework of the region. Available postgraduate study programmes of UEM and regional partners were introduced and may cover various aspects of the required curriculum. The student seminar

• gave evidence that the capacity to host the programme is available in the region,
• confirmed and complemented the identified required components of a curriculum on integrated management of environmental resources and
• identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the planned programme (SWOT analysis).

Overall, the workshop demonstrated the strong interest in cooperation with UNU-FLORES in the region and the clear commitment of Mozambique to host a twin institute.

Regional Workshop 06-08 May 2013, Maputo

Confirmed Stakeholders (Regional partners, UNU andTUDresden) for Regional Workshop 06-08 May 2013, Maputo

 

Draft Programme for Regional Workshop 06-08 May 2013, Maputo

Regional Workshop Maputo: Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES as hub for the region

Regional Workshop Maputo: Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES as hub for the region

Outline

The workshop is a follow-up to the 2nd International Scoping Workshop (ISW) on UNU-FLORES which took place in Maputo on 24-25 October 2011. The 2nd ISW was attended by stakeholders from UNU, from TU Dresden (TUD), the main partner of the UNU-FLORES, Dresden, from several faculties of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), international experts and, to a limited extent, potential regional partners. The workshop resulted in a clearly worked out list of proposed research areas and topics for the twin institute in Maputo and a general outline for the future study programmes.

The planned regional workshop may build on two major achievements since the 2nd ISW: the official opening of UNU-FLORES, Dresden and the signing of an MoU on the establishment of UNU-FLORES, Maputo, between the Ministry of Science and Technology of Mozambique, Eduardo Mondlane University and UNU. Recalling the envisioned role of the UNU-FLORES, Maputo, to act as a regional hub for research and education in integrated management of environmental resources, the following aspects of the scientific concept of the institute need to be worked out in more detail: the scientific network in the region and the planned study programme(s) for the start-up phase. The relationship with UNU-FLORES, Dresden and with TUD shall in both cases receive ample consideration. The goals of the regional workshop are:

1. Identify regional partners for the twin in Maputo and define their role in joint activities;

2. Building a network in research and education for the Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES in the region;
3. Conceptualize potential joint research activities within the network (topics and suitable regions for case studies), considering results of the 2nd ISW;
4. Work out a concept for a MSc programme of UNU-FLORES, Maputo based on a mapping of available courses by regional partners and considering its relation to the joint study programme of UNU-FLORES, Dresden and TUD;
5. Provide an exercise of joint teaching in the area of integrated resources management: regional needs of integrated resources management strategies.

The first point will largely be covered during the preparation of the regional workshop and be finalized during the event (2). Based on the research areas identified in the 2nd ISW and available partners, the third point can be addressed, e.g. by broadly defining a research consortium for some transboundary issues in resources management in the region.

Based on the mapping of available study programmes in the region which should be prepared for the workshop and taking the planned study programme of UNU-FLORES, Dresden as a template, details of the study programme and the potential contributions of regional partners may be worked out (4).

In the last part of the workshop (5), a group of graduated students (with a background in engineering, natural or social sciences related to resources management) from various countries in the region and coming from different universities (UEM, TUD, as well as from other participating universities) shall be involved in the discussions. To provide a common starting point, international experts (participating in the workshop) could provide a brief introduction to the management of the resources water, soil and waste. Some field trips or site visits related to the issue can be part of the student’s programme. Based on experience in their home country, students could work out specific needs and common features of resources management. Finally, they can join (and be invited to engage in) a panel discussion on “How to advance a nexus approach to environmental resources management? Curricula requirements for the next generation of environmental managers”.

 Items to be included in the agenda of the regional workshop

· Brief introduction of all participants highlighting their experience and expertise in the field of environmental resources management and presenting ongoing study programmes

· Status report of mapping of available study programmes related to environmental resources management at UEM and in the region

· Presentation of the proposed joint study programme of TUD and UNU-FLORES (update of presentation at 2nd ISW)

· Working group session: required components of a curriculum on integrated resources management of the Twin Institute

· Working group session: balancing required components and available modules, defining contributions of partners

· Working group session: research on integrated resources management in the region – needs and opportunities
· Panel discussion on “How to advance a nexus approach to environmental resources management? Curricula requirements for the next generation of environmental managers”.

UNU-FLORES: Key research topics identified for Maputo Twin Institute

The 2nd International Scoping Workshop on the establishment of the United Nations University Institute on Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) and its Twin Institute in Mozambique took place 24-25 October 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique. Different key stakeholders discussed research topics for the envisioned Twin Institute in Maputo and identified key topics to be dealt with by both the Dresden and Maputo twinning partners. 

Workshop overview

The workshop succeeded in bringing together key stakeholders from UNU, Dresden University of Technology (TUD), the Ministry of Science and Technology of Mozambiqe (MCT), the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) and further universities from the region as well as from international organizations and international experts. The purpose of the workshop was:

• to define the initial programme of research and teaching of the envisioned twin institute of UNU-FLORES in Mozambique
• to elaborate on conceptual and structural aspects of MSc and PhD programmes, to be undertaken in collaboration with African partners
• to define ways of cooperation between the twining partners in Dresden and Maputo

In addition, the initiative of establishing a Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES in Maputo was introduced to a wider public during the 12th WaterNet Symposium, which took place in Maputo, 26-28 October 2011.

Research topics for Twin Institute in Maputo

Future research topics of the UNU-FLORES Maputo Twin could be structured into five thematic areas:

• integrated water resources management
• waste management and sanitation
• soil and land management
• systems and flux analysis
• water economics and governance

Among these areas, the first three are to be seen as a triangle of interrelated resources; systems and flux analysis provides the tools to evaluate options and scenarios, while water economics and governance is a cross-cutting area.

This structure emerged from an extensive list of topics collected, but is strikingly similar to thematic areas identified earlier for the Dresden Twin.

Important topics for joint research projects of both twins (and further partners) could be “integrative resources management of informal settlements” and “risk management of extreme events”.

United Nations University Institute to be established in Maputo, Mozambique: 2nd Scoping Workshop paves the way

The United Nations University will establish an Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) in Maputo, Mozambique. The workshop in Maputo (24-25 October 2011) is paving the way for the formal establishment of the Institute. UNU-FLORES will have campuses (Twins) in Maputo/Mozambique and Dresden/Germany. High-ranking delegates will clarify the Institute´s scope and mission, work-plan and research priorities. The meeting will be hosted by Prof. Dr. Jakob Rhyner, Vice Rector in Europe of the United Nations University (UNU) in Bonn/Germany, Prof. Venâncio Massingue, honorable Minister of Science and Technology of the Republic of Mozambique and Prof. Orlando Quilambo, Rector of the Eduardo Mondlane University (Maputo/Mozambique).

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