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As part of Ain Shams University's strategy to strengthen international academic cooperation and develop postgraduate programs in line with the latest international standards, and in conjunction with the activities of the 9th Cairo Water Week and the 7th Arab Water Conference 2026, held under the theme “Water in the Arab Region: Partnerships for Peace and Sustainable Development,” Prof. Amany Osama Kamel, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, received a delegation from TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, Germany, to discuss ways to enhance academic and research cooperation in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and develop postgraduate programs and joint academic degrees.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Lars Ribbe, Head of the Water Resources Management Group at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences; Prof. Ali El-Bahrawy, Professor Emeritus at the Irrigation and Hydraulics Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University; and Dr. Eng. Hassan Tolba Abou El-Naga, Coordinator of the iWater Program.

During the meeting, Prof. Amani Osama Kamel welcomed the German delegation, expressing the University's pride in its academic and research partnership with TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences and the opportunities it provides for exchanging expertise and developing specialized educational and research programs. She emphasized that this cooperation supports efforts to achieve water security and promote sustainable water resources management in Egypt and the Arab region.

She stressed that the master’s Program in Integrated Water Resources Management represents a strategic step toward preparing a new generation of specialists capable of addressing contemporary water challenges through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. The program also promotes a culture of collaboration and the integration of academic and professional expertise, contributing to the development of scientific and practical solutions to water scarcity and the governance of shared water resources.

She highlighted the importance of developing the program's management mechanisms and academic structure through coordination between the two universities, ensuring the integration of course delivery and the allocation of credit hours in accordance with Ain Shams University's postgraduate regulations. This would enhance the program's quality and expand opportunities for awarding joint academic degrees.

She also emphasized the importance of expanding scholarships and funding opportunities for students, recognizing their essential role in ensuring the program's sustainability, broadening its beneficiary base, and increasing access to joint academic pathways. Such efforts would help attract talented young professionals and enable them to benefit from the academic expertise and scientific resources available at both universities.

Prof. Kamel explained that Ain Shams University is committed to further developing the program and strengthening its academic standing by enhancing its scientific content, expanding international cooperation, and creating additional training and knowledge-exchange opportunities. These efforts align with academic quality standards and the practical needs of the water sector while improving graduates' competitiveness in local and international labor markets.

She commended the academic efforts of the team overseeing the program, particularly Prof. Ali El-Bahrawy and Dr. Eng. Hassan Tolba Abou El-Naga and praised the fruitful partnership with TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, acknowledging its valuable scientific support and exchange of expertise in developing the program and strengthening its academic standing.

For his part, Prof. Lars Ribbe, Head of the Water Resources Management Group at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, praised the longstanding partnership with Ain Shams University, describing it as a well-established model of scientific cooperation between Egypt and Germany, built on enduring institutional relations and complementary expertise and capabilities.

He explained that this partnership has contributed to the development of specialized educational and research programs in the water sector and strengthened the connection between scientific research and practical applications. This cooperation supports the preparation of qualified professionals capable of addressing water resources management challenges and creates further opportunities for developing joint projects that advance sustainable development goals at both regional and international levels.

In the same context, Prof. Ali El-Bahrawy explained that the Master's Program in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a specialized academic initiative aimed at advancing education in water resources management through a partnership between Ain Shams University and Mansoura University, with academic support from TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

He added that the program aims to prepare qualified professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for efficient water resources management through a multidisciplinary academic approach that integrates engineering, environmental, economic, and management sciences. This approach enables graduates to develop sustainable solutions to water challenges at local, regional, and international levels and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting also addressed proposals to further develop academic cooperation between the two universities through coordinating and updating training courses and academic curricula and aligning them with the requirements of the Supreme Council of Universities and the regulations of the Postgraduate Studies and Research Sector at Ain Shams University. Discussions also covered the activation of joint doctoral pathways, expanding opportunities for scientific expertise exchange, organizing specialized workshops, and providing academic and research training and development opportunities for students and researchers.

These discussions reflect Ain Shams University's commitment to expanding its network of international partnerships, advancing its postgraduate education and scientific research system, and strengthening integration between education, research, and practical application. Such efforts support national capacity building in strategic fields, particularly sustainable water resources management, and contribute to addressing water security challenges and achieving sustainable development.