3rd Young Researchers National Conference on Water and Environment concluded at USPCAS-W

U.S-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro is organizing 3rd edition of Two-Day Young Researchers` National Conference on “Water and Environment”.

The inaugural session of the conference was attended by Chairman of the Water Environment Forum (WEF), Former Federal Minister & Senator Nisar A. Memon, Country Director Oxfam Pakistan Muhammad Qazil bash, water experts, heads of various governmental non-governmental organizations related to water and environment. Project Director USPCAS-W Prof. Dr. Bakhshal Lashari, Deputy Director USPCAS-W Prof. Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Conference Convener Prof. Dr. Kamran Ansari, M&E Specialist USPCAS-W M. Shahid Panhwar and others addressed in the inaugural session. As key note speaker Nisar A. Memon appreciated the remarkable success and achievements of USPCAS-W and applauded the quality research work presented by young researchers. He added in his speech that this contribution will be indeed helpful for Govt. in policy making and water governance.

130 research papers were presented in 2 plenary sessions and 18 (parallel) technical sessions of the conference.That was to provide an ideal academic platform to young researchers and scholars from all over the country to present, share and exchange their latest findings about water and environment related issues such as Water Governance, Irrigation Water Management and Crop Water Productivity, Sustainable Groundwater Management, Flood Forecasting and River Engineering, Water Quality and Scarcity, Waste Management, Rain Water Harvesting, Environmental Policy and Economics, Waste Water Treatment and more.

“Being the youngest nation in the world, being the 6th largest nation in the world, it gives us the privilege that we are having most of population young (i.e. under 25), It is a privilege that most nations do not have at the moment.”This was expressed by Masood Lohar, National Program Manager UNDP-GEP Small Grants Program, speaking as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of Two-Day 3rd Young Researchers’ National Conference on “Water and Environment” on Friday.  In his address, he encouraged young scholars to must read, he recommended books and shared motivational stories from his readings and research. The conference paved the way for the youth researchers to present their research work, learn from peers and participate in national research endeavors, he added. He also participated in second plenary session of the conference, shared the highlights of UNDP success and offered USPCAS-W to join hands in water & environment projects. He appreciated the success and achievements of USPCAS, Mehran University Jamshoro. And, congratulated on organizing such vibrant conference.

Dr. Bakhshal Lasahri, the Project Director USPCAS-W, MUET presented thirty recommendations opted from the two-day conference related to HID / IWRM and Environmental Studies &WaSH disciplines such as; recommendation to establish a mechanism for policy and institutional reforms for industrial development through the support and participation of government, industry, academia and community.

The closing ceremony was attended by National Program Manager UNDP-GEP Small Grants Program Masood Lohar, Project Director USPCAS-W Prof. Dr. Bakhshal Lashari, Team Leader HALVETAS Munawar Khatak, Deputy Director USPCAS-W Prof. Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Conference Convener Prof. Dr. Kamran Ansari addressed in the closing session.

In the closing session of National Conference at USPCAS-W, MUET Jamshoro, Defense Day as Kashmir Solidarity Day was also observed to pay tribute to the country’s martyrs.