The 1st GJU Symposium on Sustainable Development 2022 on Water, Energy, and Environment was held from October 12–14, 2022, at the German Jordanian University in collaboration with the Technical University of Berlin. The symposium focused on sustainable development goals related to water, energy, and environmental sustainability, intending to connect students and researchers with participants from industry and administration to present and discuss research, applications, optimum solutions, regulations, frameworks, and funds for achieving sustainability.
The symposium was opened with speeches by the President of the German Jordanian University, Prof. Ala'aldeen Al-Halhouli, and representatives from the Higher Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the German Water Partnership. The event featured presentations from a range of experts, including Dr. Jihad Mahamid from the Higher Ministry for Water and Irrigation, who discussed water sector challenges in Jordan, and Dr. Johannes Wellmann from TU Berlin and GJU, who presented examples of groundwater and aquifer management in Tunisia, Morocco, and Jordan.
Other presentations focused on experiences from two SBR pilot plants for wastewater treatment and reuse by Thomas Gester from ATB GmbH, closed-loop reverse osmosis challenges and opportunities for the MENA region by Dr. Joachim Koschikowski from Fraunhofer ISE, and brackish water desalination in Qatar and Iran by M.Sc. Lina Streckwall from TU Berlin. Dr. Madher Bdour from the German Jordanian University also presented on brackish water desalination with an adaptation of renewable energy resources.
The symposium concluded with a podium discussion on the chances and limitations of wastewater as an alternative water resource in Jordan, featuring contributions from Dr. Jihad Mahamid, Prof. Latifa Bousselmi from CERTE, and Prof. Dr. Kerstin Wydra. The event also provided opportunities for networking and sharing ideas during lunch breaks.
AGREEMed project was presented describing the overall project idea, scope, targets, and expected outcomes. Prof. Mohammad Al-Addous, Dr. Mathhar Bdour (GJU) and Dr. Johannes Willmann (TU-Berlin) presented the role of both organizations and how the development on the progress of water desalination is initiated in achieving more efficient desalination process and minimizing the rejected water, along with its management. Participants from Jordan, Germany, and Tunisia participated at the discussion.
Overall, the 1st GJU Symposium on Sustainable Development 2022 was a successful event that brought together a range of experts to discuss sustainable development goals related to water, energy, and environmental sustainability. The presentations and discussions highlighted the challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainability in the MENA region and provided insights into potential solutions, regulations, frameworks, and funds for achieving these goals.
