The IWRM Diploma consists of 10 courses, which total 250 hours of presentations (equivalent to lecture time) and is conducted in a mixed mode system (i.e., face-to-face and distant learning).  The curriculum is prepared by Waterloo University, Canada, and has been customized to the Arab region with examples and case studies.

The IWRM Overview course (Course 1; 10 days) and the final Applied Session (Course 10; 5 days) are delivered at the Center in AGU.  During the period of the last Course (i.e., Course 10), the final comprehensive exam of the Diploma is administered, and students are required to present and defend their research project in front of the program instructors panel, as well as the other students.  Moreover, a mid-program visit at AGU (after Course 5; 5 days) is made by the students where the students take A Mid-Program Exam and present their project research proposals in consultation with their assigned supervisors.  The rest of the Courses (i.e., Course 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) are delivered as Distance Education courses, with participant-instructor interaction made by e-mail and web-based conferencing system. The following is a brief description of the 10 Course.

1. An Introduction to IWRM: This course provides an overview of the concepts involved in IWRM and a brief summary of the other courses. The water conditions and the main issues and challenges of water resources management in the Arab region are presented and discussed. A simplified process for implementing an IWRM plan is also included as an example of the mechanisms and problems that might be encountered. A broad examination of critical concepts and knowledge needs related to IWRM, including essential human and institutional capacities development, with the course structure and content linked to, and driven by, the subsequent eight courses. Moreover, dynamic modeling of a water system using WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning) model is demonstrated in a hands-on exercise. 

2. Water Transfer: The natural components and processes of the hydrologic cycle, temporal variance, global and regional processes and impacts of anthropogenic alterations on the water cycle. Water and the Atmosphere, Water and Land, Water and the Riparian Environment, and Water Budgets.

3. The Terrestrial Ecosystem: Changes and impacts that occur as a result of land use change and development. Biomes, Drylands, Life, Succession, Biogeography, Populations and Growth, Predation, Nutrient Cycling, Biodiversity, Watershed Changes, Forestry, Agriculture, Mining, Urbanization, Dams and Diversions.

4. The Aquatic Ecosystem: Concepts, processes, analytical approaches and procedures that relate to our understanding of the structure and function of the aquatic ecosystem. Freshwaters, Stream Ecology, Biological Community Characteristics, Stream Corridor Functions, Estuaries, Lakes, Marine Ecology, Wetlands, Watershed Change, and GIS application in water resources management.

5. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Impact Assessment: Aspects of anthropogenic impact and change to the physical, chemical, biological and ecological components of the aquatic environment. Principles of Aquatic Ecosystem Health, Biological Monitoring Processes, Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems, Restoration, Toxicology, and Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA).

6. Water Use: The many human uses of water, both consumptive and non-consumptive, and their implications for the hydrologic cycle, ambient water quality and both ecosystem and human health. Agriculture, Industrial and Public water use, standards and monitoring.

7. Non-Conventional Water Resources:

1. Desalination: Introduction to Desalination, Desalination in the Arab Countries (history and trends), Desalination Technologies, Desalination Issues and Challenges (Financial, Economic and Environmental).
2. Wastewater: The discharge of wastewater to natural and artificial catchments, potential impacts, methods of treatment and mitigation, the urban water cycle and methods to evaluate and choose appropriate technologies. Rural, Urban, and Industrial Point and Non-Point-Sources.

8. Governance and Community Based Approaches: Legislative, regulatory, legal, jurisdictional, community and individual responsibilities and arrangements of IWRM. Gender issues, the requirements and benefits of capacity building, public education and community involvement. Water Laws, Government's Role, Policy Development, Issues and Dilemmas, Community Participation, Consensus Building and Conflict Resolution, Policy Instruments.

9. Organizational Infrastructure and Management: This course deals with the organizational and management structures and procedures needed to deal with Integrated Water Resource Management. Management and operations, financing, budget analysis, budget cycles, capital expenditures, policy analysis, community involvement. Personnel training and human resources planning. Management & Operations, Laboratory & Information Management, Public Health & Public Health Administration, The Programming Cycle & Project & Contract Management, Special Planning.

10. Applying IWRM: Customized case studies, practical illustrations of the concepts and procedures of IWRM, and investigative techniques for students to assess their own IWRM needs, conducted in tutorial format in the Center. Students projects include a scientific approach to a water problem in own country, including literature review, problem statement, objectives, methodology, results and discussion, conclusion and recommendations. 

Please refer to the Abstract booklet​ of previous students. ​

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