Water Resources Research and Training Capabilities at Utah State University

1. Water Resources Research and Training Capabilities at Utah State University “From the mountain top to the sea.” by: Mac McKee DeeVon Bailey Director Assoc. Vice President for Research Utah Water Research Lab International Program Development 8200 Old Main Hill 1450 Old Main Hill Utah State University Utah State University Logan, Utah, 84322-8200 Logan, Utah, 84322-1450 435-797-3188 435-797-2300 Mac.McKee@usu.edu DeeVon.Bailey@usu.edu July 7-9, 2008

2. Agenda: • USU’s international development background and ties to the Middle East • Key USU water research, education, and training organizations • Key water-related disciplines at USU • Capabilities • Relevant USU experience

3. Utah Utah: • Second driest state in the US • Agriculture: irrigated, rainfed, rangeland • Irrigation: 85% of total diversions; inefficient in water use • Water problems: water quantity/quality, salinity, endangered species, urbanization

4. USU’s World-wide Involvement: • Over $400 million in international funding • More than 100 major projects • Irrigation and water engineering a primary emphasis

5. USU’s ties to the Middle East: • 90-year history of providing education to students from the Middle East • numerous training and research projects in many countries of the Middle East--Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, and others • hundreds of USU graduates from the region now occupy positions in government and academia • USU graduates work in research organizations in the region (e.g., ICARDA) • current and recent water resources management and training projects in Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq • many students from the region are now studying at USU

6. USU Water-related Organizations: • Utah Water Research Laboratory

7. USU Water-related Organizations: • Utah Water Research Laboratory • ~50 faculty and professional research staff; ~75 graduate and 100 undergraduate students • 9,500 m2 facility; excellent hydraulics and environmental labs • research and training capabilities in numerous areas, such as: • river basin and watershed planning and management • integrated water resources development • surface and ground water hydrology and management • water and wastewater treatment • flood control planning and management • hazardous waste management and remediation • water quality management • large water system planning and management • training courses offered in many countries (Palestine, Iraq, Philippines, Viet Nam, India, Thailand, Senegal, Indonesia, Pakistan, Central Asian Republics, and many others)

8. USU Water-related Organizations: • Utah Water Research Laboratory • International Irrigation Center

9. USU Water-related Organizations: • Utah Water Research Laboratory • International Irrigation Center • Affiliated with the Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering • Graduates throughout the Middle East • Historically, irrigation and drainage projects throughout Latin America and the Middle East • Training programs, both in the US and in-country • Areas of strength: • on-farm water technology and irrigation system operations • strengthening of water institutions • On-line course materials in irrigation engineering (English, Arabic, Spanish)

10. Key Water-related Disciplines/Degree Programs at USU (both MS and PhD level): • Water resources engineering • Irrigation and drainage engineering • Environmental engineering • Agricultural and water resources economics • Sociology and political science • Watershed management • Arid land agriculture • others

11. Examples of Relevant USU Experience: • Palestine: • training/education/research: • An-Najah National University, Nablus, and the Islamic University in Gaza • recent Palestinian graduate students in water resources engineering • development of a planning framework for Palestinian water resources management • Morocco: optimal water management at the river basin level • Iraq: IAER project (with TAMU and others) • Egypt: • water allocation and pricing; cost recovery • canal and irrigation system automation • UAE: review and assessment of graduate programs in water resources at Al-Ain University

12. Summary: • USU has senior personnel who know and appreciate the culture and interests of the region of the Middle East. • USU has experience and ties in the region. • For 90 years, USU has proudly provided education and training opportunities to the sons and daughters of the region. • We look forward to the opportunity to continue this tradition.

13. Thank you. ???Questions????