Water management educational opportunities for external stakeholders

In 2024, TIIAME National Research University systematically expanded its role as a national hub for capacity building in water resources management. Beyond formal degree programmes, the university worked closely with ministries, basin organisations, international partners and farmers’ training structures to deliver practice-oriented seminars, technical workshops and field-based learning on topics such as reservoir sedimentation, wetlands conservation, irrigation modernisation and digital water metering. These activities were open not only to TIIAME students and staff, but also to specialists from the Ministry of Water Resources, environmental inspectorates, regional branches, and other sector organisations, thereby directly contributing to improved water governance in Uzbekistan.

Key educational and outreach activities in 2024

• Seminar on reservoir bathymetry and volume estimation (19 January 2024)

On the initiative of the “Hydrology of Rivers and Reservoirs” Department, a seminar-training on “Use of modern methods and technologies in calculating bathymetry and volume of a reservoir” was organised in cooperation with the Agency for Space Research and Technology under the Ministry of Digital Technologies. Students and teaching staff were introduced to modern surveying techniques, remote sensing tools and GIS-based calculations for reservoir volume assessment, and were able to discuss practical questions with invited experts.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=5362)

• World Wetlands Day roundtable on the Aral Sea region (2 February 2024)

To mark World Wetlands Day, a roundtable titled “Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization National Research University” was held with the participation of the Senate Committee on the Development of the Aral Sea Region and Ecology, the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan and the Ecological Party. Participants discussed the ecological significance of wetlands, the current state of the Aral Sea region and the importance of integrated water and ecosystem management. The event strengthened cooperation between lawmakers, environmental institutions and the university in promoting wise use and protection of wetlands.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=5500)

• World Water Day – “Water for Peace” event (15 March 2024)

In the run-up to World Water Day (22 March), TIIAME NRU hosted an event under the slogan “Water for Peace”, focusing on the importance of water as a critical resource for human life, economic development and regional stability. Representatives of the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Ministry of Water Resources and international organisations took part. Discussions highlighted global water scarcity, climate-related risks, and the need to use water resources efficiently and equitably so that future generations can inherit healthy river basins and secure water supplies.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=5871)

• World Bank technical seminar on reservoir sedimentation and dam safety (18–19 April 2024)

With support from the World Bank, a technical seminar was held within the programme “Reservoir Sedimentation and Integrated Dam Safety Management in Central Asia”. Professors and doctoral students from the Departments of “Hydraulic Structures and Engineering Constructions”, “Hydraulics and Hydroinformatics” and related units participated. The seminar provided up-to-date international knowledge on sediment management, dam safety assessment and risk-informed reservoir operation, which participants will apply in their teaching, research and advisory work with national water agencies.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6134)

• Meeting with environmental inspectors on water-related ecological control (20 April 2024)

The Department of “Ecology and Water Resources Management” organised a meeting between students of the “Ecology and Environmental Protection (in the water sector)” programme and specialists from the state environmental control inspectorate. During the session, inspectors explained legal requirements and practical procedures for environmental monitoring in water management, including control of pollution, compliance with standards and prevention of ecological disasters. This dialogue helped future water managers understand how environmental regulation and water sector practice are linked.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6180)

• Lecture on automatic soil moisture monitoring for irrigation management (23 April 2024)
  At the “Hydromelioration” Faculty, an invited lecturer from the Tashkent State Technical University delivered an online/offline lecture on “Automatic system for determining and controlling soil moisture”. The session introduced students, young researchers and practitioners to sensor-based monitoring, automation of irrigation scheduling and the role of digital technologies in reducing water losses in agriculture.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6136)

• Lectures at the national “School of Water Workers” on smart water metering (31 July 2024)

Within the framework of the national initiative “Suvchilar maktabi” (School of Water Workers) under the Ministry of Water Resources, associate professors and professors from the “Hydrology and Hydrogeology” Department delivered a series of lectures on “Improving the use of water metering and distribution devices in irrigation networks based on the use of information technology”. Participants, including irrigation system staff and field specialists, learned how to use modern meters, data logging and mobile applications to improve the accuracy and transparency of water distribution at farm and canal level.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=6677)

• UNESCO Chair event on water diplomacy and water-saving technologies (11 October 2024)

At the UNESCO Chair on “Water Diplomacy, Water Resources Management and Environmental Protection”, TIIAME NRU hosted a high-level meeting with the Honorary Vice-President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) and a representative of the Chinese company “Dayu Irrigation Group Co., Ltd.”. The discussion focused on modern water-saving technologies, capacity development in irrigation and drainage, and international cooperation for sustainable water management. Faculty members, young researchers and students were able to engage directly with leading international experts in the field.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=7024)

• Master classes by the Minister of Water Resources (from the 2024/2025 academic year)

Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Khamraev, began delivering regular classes for TIIAME NRU Master’s students in a special auditorium of the Ministry. The course “Modernisation of irrigation and drainage systems” covers current challenges and reform priorities in the national water sector, including institutional changes, infrastructure modernisation and innovation in water use. Through these classes, graduate students gain first-hand insight into policy-level decision-making and the practical realities of water management in Uzbekistan.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=7221)

• Field training at Akkovak Hydroelectric Power Plant (31 October 2024)

As part of practice-based learning, students of the “Hydrotechnical Construction” faculty visited the modernised Akkovak Hydroelectric Power Plant. During the training, they were introduced to the plant’s latest equipment, operational procedures and safety systems, as well as the role of hydropower in integrated water resources management. Such field visits help future engineers understand how river regulation, energy generation and irrigation infrastructure interact in real-world conditions.

(news report: https://tiiame.uz/news?id=7244)

Taken together, these 2024 activities show that TIIAME National Research University does far more than deliver classroom teaching. The university actively creates open educational opportunities on water management for a wide range of external stakeholders: ministry staff, basin organisation specialists, environmental inspectors, hydropower operators, and practitioners attending the national “School of Water Workers”. Through seminars, roundtables, international technical workshops, high-level lectures and field trainings, TIIAME NRU directly supports the development of practical skills, modern technical knowledge and evidence-based decision-making in the Uzbek water sector.