Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Multi-Scale Hydrology and the Pedostructure Concept, Instructors, Dr. Majdi Abou Najm and Dr Rabi H. Mohtar, Purdue University: this class introduces the basic concept of scaling in hydrology and pedostructure and its application to characterize, scale, and model water flow in the multi-scale soil water medium. This class will also cover basic principles in hydrology and introduce students to water quality modeling, erosion, and GIS. The grant addressed curricula design, materials development & library resources; student experiential learning and other applied research and community development applications. objectives were 1) Strengthen Global Competence in water resource management, through an integrated graduate (and senior undergraduate) curriculum that reflects an interdisciplinary, global approach to the challenges of water resources management 2) Enhance business performance by exposing US water professionals to water management and purification technologies practiced in the Middle East. Water Resource Economics, Dr. Arne Hallam, Iowa State University: the class introduced issues in international water resources including water as an economic good, optimal water use over time, externalities and public goods, cost-benefits, and valuing water for consumer, industrial and agricultural use. All students agreed that the courses were extremely intensive, taught in two 4 hour sessions for 6 consecutive days. At the same time, they found that using analytical methods to understand hydrologic principles and develop an easy approach to solving sophisticated problems is spell-binding; and were impressed at learning about the relationship between our study and environmental science. The group work and panel discussions offered the students good practice for learning from others and listening; they found the microeconomics concepts to be innovative and interesting and are excited about using economics in environmental assessment PARTICIPANTS: Courses (at Al Balqaa University, 27 Palestinian students) 1) Water Economics (Instructor: Arne Hallam, Iowa State U) 2) Multiscale Hydrology (Instructor: Majdi Abou Najm, Purdue University) Students 22 students and instructors were treated with a trip to Petra and were awarded certificates of completion at the opening session of the workshop. Student travel and lodging was paid for with funds from the grant. The Al Balqaa Applied University in Al Salt, hosted the classes and provided transportation to and from Amman. 22 Students from Al Quds University and Palestinian Hydrology Group received certificates of completion AbuRahmeh, AbdulRa'ouf Ahmad, Raed S.A. AlHeresh, Eman I.I. AlJa'baree, Tasneem M.A AlJabiri, Shaher A.M. AlJuneidi, Abeer AlShish, Maryam M.A. Amarna, Mustafa N.M. Assi, Amjad T I Atallah, Nidal W A Institutional vision session included Purdue University, Rabi H. Mohtar University of California, Steven R. Grattan and Khaled M. Bali Texas A&M University, Vijay P. Singh Technion, Avi Shaviv Washington State University, Michael Barber Iowa State University, Arne Hallam and Ramesh Kanwar Distance learning opportunities Dale Harris Plant Water Interface Linkages, Abed Gera Raghothama, K. Plant Initiatives Iraqi, N. Strategies for developing crop plants tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Abu Baker, S. Competition between nutrients during root absorption Weller, S. Integrated horticulture production management BarTal, A. Nitrogen supply through irrigation with treated waste water Mazaher, N. Determination of crop's water requirements in the Jordan Valley Bernstein, N. Aspects of salinity-induced growth restrictions Mickelbart, M. The genetic potential for improving water use efficiency in crop plants Mike Hasegawa, Bob Joly, Meni BenHur: Disscussion Session Poster Session on Integrated International Water Resource Management (15 posters) Industrial Forum Field trip to water related sites in the Jordan Valley Awad, Omar A.I. Carmi, Natasha Dararbee, Amane A.Y. Darabi', Amjad A.A. Hdeidoun, Lamia S.M. Itair, Husam B.Y. Kameel, Saleh A.S. Mukarker, Silvia S.J. Musallam, Shatha S.F. Nassar, Mohannad A.M. Qubaja, Ra'fat A.I. Zarour, Rasha R I TARGET AUDIENCES: Jordan and the region face daunting challenges in the closely interconnected fields of water/food/energy. Meeting this need will require sound, coordinated policies and government action, regional coordination and strategy, application of new technology, better training of researchers and managers, increased public awareness, more sustainable agricultural and industrial production, and more efficient use of scarce resources across the board. Greater interaction and collaboration between Jordanian and US business can be a significant contributor in addressing several of these priorities. Specific opportunities for future business action relevant to Jordan's water challenges were identified, explored and proposed. Technology Transfer Review the primary technology challenges or needs of the region that would related to the (the "triangle") challenges; Develop a list of priority list of specific technologies that whose development or transfer would make a significant impact; Consortium universities select a portfolio of available technologies that could address the list in #2; Develop a summary profile of each technology which includes description/application, patent status, stage of development, competitive assessment, etc.; Jordanian/regional partners assess those technologies with attractive potential demand and relevance and communicate these to potential licensees or corporate partners. This matching/marketing phase could be organized by Amcham Jordan who could organize meetings of Jordanian executives is each sector, e.g., water, agribusiness, energy, etc. Interested Jordanian firms are introduced to the appropriate official of the U.S. University that owns or has access to the technology and facilitates exchange of info, mutual assessment and negotiation, if warranted. Increased U.S.Jordan Business Partnering Activities Student teams from the consortium universities will set up projects to assist U.S. and Jordanian firms in assessment and development of plans to pursue mutual business opportunities in the extended water cluster. Teams could spend a semester or at least several weeks developing plans and detailed recommendations. A two week visit to Jordan would be a part of the project. Exploit alumni networks through special meetings for Jordan or regionally based business-related alumni during homecoming back in the USA where U.S. alumni can meet and explore business opportunities with the visiting alumni from Jordan. Online Jordan alumni forum for U.S. business development (perhaps as a part of LinkedIn) where Jordanian and U.S. based executives (alumni) could express needs/opportunities and solicit partnership ideas. Invite U.S. alumni to visit Jordan for a focused business development effort in specific clusters or sectors. Use online networking tools to arrange meetings between Jordan and U.S. alumni at major internat ional trade shows. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Course materials are on line: multiscale https://engineering.purdue.edu/~h2o/syllabus_msh.html Economics: https://engineering.purdue.edu/~h2o/syllabus_economics.html All students agreed that the courses were extremely intensive, taught in two 4 hour sessions for 6 consecutive days. At the same time, they found that using analytical methods to understand hydrologic principles and develop an easy approach to solving sophisticated problems is spell-binding; and were impressed at learning about the relationship between our study and environmental science. The group work and panel discussions offered the students good practice for learning from others and listening; they found the microeconomics concepts to be innovative and interesting and are excited about using economics in environmental assessment The American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham) and the Global Engineering Program (GEP) at Purdue University co-hosted a workshop in Amman, Jordan on March 14-17, 2010 that explored the business potential and research dimensions of water in Jordan and the Middle East. Companies in the water-related sector from the US and Middle East region were invited to join this event. The workshop is the culmination of the USDA-HED-ISE funded grant and was designed to provide actionable insights into current trends in water management, conservation, purification; demand in private and public markets; water-related research now underway or planned by Universities and Government institutes; new and current technologies available for licensing or investment; commercial opportunities with Jordanian and regional business partners.
Publications
- Mohtar,Rabi H., Purdue University, 2010, A Perspective on the Middle East and North African Water and Food Security. Grattan, Stephen R. and Khaled M. Bali,2010,University of California, Davis; University of California Cooperative Extension. Vision for Institutional Partnership between the United States and Middle Eastern Countries Water Resources Management: Looking Ahead For the Future Of The US-ME Partnership. Singh, Vijay P,2010, Water Issues: Some Remarks, Texas A & M University. Shaviv, Avi, 2010,Division of Environoment, Water and Agricultural Engineering, Israel Institute of Technology. Barber, Michael,2010, Jordanian Partnership and Washington State University. Hallam, Arne,2010, Iowa State University in the Jordan River Valley Hruby, et. al, 2010, Brushy Creek Watershed: A collaborative effort at water quality improvement in Carroll Conty, Iowa. Housh, 2010, Optimal Management of Israeli National Water Systems Under Uncertainty. Mohtar, et al, 2010, Kamel A New Soil Water Modeling Paradigm. Dare, et al, 2010, Global Design Team: Concept, Assessment and Case Study. Imbrie, et al 2010, Engineers Global Competencies. Sanders, et al 2010, Field Characterization of Matrix Flow and Preferential Flow in Clay Loam Soils Planted Corn. Gayyadda, 2010, Water Resource Optimization for Irrigation of Tomatoes: Jericho, Jordan Valley, Palestine. Deri, 2010, Taste and Odor Episodes in Drinking Water Supplies. Iraki and Abdeen, 2010, Strategies for Developing Crop Plants Tolerant to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses. Bardin et al, 2010, The transition from Stage I to Stage II Evaporation as a Tool to Account for the Effect of Soil Drying on the Use of Oxygen Isotopes in Groundwater Research: Application to the Israeli Coastal Aquifer. Bardin, 2010, The Role of Soil Drying on the Use of Oxygen Isotopes in Groundwater Research.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Website offers easy access to the project objectives, courses, syllabi, workshop details, case studies, people and institutions. Regular conference calls at 6 week intervals between groups implementing the project to develop the initial curriculum concepts and identify the course content, develop recruitment brochure, academic credit and certification, website, and to address the realities of necessary adjustments to the overall program following the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Palestine in January 2009. Frontal Meetings late August 2008, Tamimi (PHG) met with Mohtar and Schweitzer and al-Salahat at Purdue to discuss some of the details of the initial planning and implementation of the project. Nov, 2009 PI team met to review details and make final plans for course launching and to address plans for the Amman workshop. Kanwar and Mohtar have meet at professional meetings during the year and scheduled updates and exchange of information regarding the progress and challenges. All investigators and instructors communicate by e-mail and telephone to address the specific details of the project every 7-10 days, as needed. Course curricula program elements were developed. Initial plans, were adjusted in keeping with institutional resources, and political realities. Participating investigators exhibited a commitment to the overriding project goals and worked together to achieve success, including sharing materials and changing lead instructors. The website contains all syllabi and supporting materials. PARTICIPANTS: Workshop Industry Forum will bring together local and US industry representatives with their hosts in Jordan and provide the US water sector with the opportunity to learn firsthand about water treatment technologies and water conservation practices. The workshop will also introduce students to firms that are potential sources of internships and provide structured opportunities for students and company representatives to explore such internships. It will include plenary sessions and some smaller breakout sessions that deal in more depth with specific problems, e.g. agriculture, water purification, water conservation, water storage, etc. The workshop will be planned in such a manner as to facilitate one-on-one conversations between potential partners, perhaps including 10 min overview presentations by the represented firms of their products or solutions. An early and unexpected outcome of the original proposal was the development of a senior design project between the Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG) and students of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Purdue University. Following the initial discussions and preparation of the proposal, Mohtar and Tamimi developed an additional activity in which 6 of Mohtar's students worked together with a PHG engineer to design a water delivery system for a village in the West Bank. Together with Salahat (Purdue alum and professor at Hashemite University in Jordan), Mohtar (Purdue University), and Tamimi (PHG), the students worked for a semester and traveled to the region to deliver the design to PHG. Follow up plans for additional design teams are described below in the section on sustainability. TARGET AUDIENCES: engage members of the US and Middle East (ME) water-related industries. Enable technical exchanges between the participating scientists and students; enhance Business Performance in International Agriculture and Related Sectors where water; resource management and protection is of paramount priority, by exposing US water professionals to water management and purification technologies practiced in the Middle East PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Initial plans, as presented in the proposal, were adjusted in keeping with institutional resources, and political realities. In every case, the participating investigators exhibited a commitment to the overriding project goals and worked together to achieve the maximum likelihood of success for the courses, including in some cases, sharing materials and changing lead instructors
Impacts
The project website: https://engineering.purdue.edu/~h2o/ went online in August 2008 Development of Curricula in International Water Resources Management: The program elements include a new M.Sc. degree program and modules in international water resources management including integrative case studies that will engage members of the US and Middle East (ME) water-related industries. Initial plans, as presented in the proposal, were adjusted in keeping with institutional resources, and political realities. In every case, the participating investigators exhibited a commitment to the overriding project goals and worked together to achieve the maximum likelihood of success for the courses, including in some cases, sharing materials and changing lead instructors. The following is an outline of the curricula content. The website contains all syllabi and supporting materials. https://engineering.purdue.edu/~h2o/graduate.html
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
Students 21, Faculty 80 hours Website includes easy access to the project objectives, courses offered, syllabi, workshop details, case studies to be used by students, people and institutions involved. Regular conference calls to oversee or implement the project (6 week intervals) developed the initial curriculum concepts and identify the course content in accordance with the need at hand , develop recruitment brochure, academic credit and certification, website, address the realities of necessary adjustments to the overall program following the outbreak of hostilities in 2009. Frontal Meetings late August 2008, prior to project start date meeting at Purdue discussed the details of initial planning and implementation. In Nov 2009 PI team met at Purdue to review details and make final plans for course launching , address Amman workshop. Kanwar and Mohtar met at professional meetings during the year and scheduled updates and exchange of information regarding the progress and challenges. All communicate as needed to address specific details of the project. Frequency of communication every 7-10 days, as needed. Course curricula in International Water Resources Management program elements developed in keeping with the original proposal. Initial plans were adjusted in keeping with institutional resources, and political realities. Participating investigators exhibited commitment to overriding project goals , worked to achieve maximum success for courses, including sharing materials and changing lead instructors. Outline of curricula content on website with all syllabi and supporting materials. Workshop Industry Forum will bring together local and US industry representatives with hosts in Jordan and provide the US water sector with opportunity to learn firsthand about water treatment technologies and water conservation practices. Workshop will introduce students to potential sources of internships and provide structured opportunities for students and company representatives to explore such internships. It will include plenary sessions and smaller breakout sessions that deal in more depth with specific problems, e.g. agriculture, water purification, water conservation, water storage, etc. The workshop will facilitate one-on-one conversations between potential partners, include 10 min overview presentations by represented firms of products or solutions. An early unexpected outcome of the original proposal was the development of a senior design project between the Palestinian Hydrology Group and students at Purdue University. Following the initial discussions and preparation of the proposal, Mohtar and Tamimi developed an additional activity in which 6 of Mohtar's students worked together with a PHG engineer to design a water delivery system for a village in the West Bank. Together with Salahat (Purdue alum and professor at Hashemite University in Jordan), Mohtar (Purdue University), and Tamimi (PHG), the students worked for a semester and traveled to the region to deliver the design to PHG. Follow up plans for additional design teams are described below in the section on sustainability. PRODUCTS: The project website: https://engineering.purdue.edu/~h2o/ went online in August 2008 OUTCOMES: Development of Curricula in International Water Resources Management: The program elements include a new M.Sc. degree program and modules in international water resources management including integrative case studies that will engage members of the US and Middle East (ME) water-related industries. Initial plans, as presented in the proposal, were adjusted in keeping with institutional resources, and political realities. In every case, the participating investigators exhibited a commitment to the overriding project goals and worked together to achieve the maximum likelihood of success for the courses, including in some cases, sharing materials and changing lead instructors. The following is an outline of the curricula content. The website contains all syllabi and supporting materials. https://engineering.purdue.edu/~h2o/graduate.html. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Development of Curricula in International Water Resources Management: The program elements include a new M.Sc. degree program and modules in international water resources management. Workshop for US professionals on water technologies of the Middle East, Amman, Jordan in March 2010 Global Design Teams: An early and unexpected outcome of the original proposal was the development of a senior design project between the Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG) and students of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Purdue University Co-PI Gera is developing a project with regional partners and the US consortium to promote further scientific cooperation through the establishment of a Jordan Valley project (JPI) that will focus on agricultural and engineering science and extension. The ISE consortium was brought together in November 2009 at Purdue to hear from the Regional partners and to explore adding a phyto science side to the water management project. A 2010 HED-ISE proposal will be submitted. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The Global Engineering Program at Purdue are working with local Jordanian industries to develope a Global Design Project that will be lead by Professor Dulcy Abraham, Civil Engineering, Purdue and will specifically address and environmental assessment in conjunction with the Palestinian Hydrology Group (Dr. Ayman Rabi). The team will travel in project as a whole and the workshop in particular will be evaluated as a model for other global engagement activities in the Middle East and additional regions
Impacts
Recurring political tensions in the region and in particular, the Israeli incursion in Gaza in December/January 2008/9 have made the implementation of the course a challenge. With the consent and involvement of all parties, the instructors for the first course were revised to enable Dr. Hallam (Iowa State) and Dr. Awad (Al Quds) university to undertake some revisions to the program originally intended to be offered by Dr. Ostfeld. The delay in initiation of the course was directly related to the extent of the conflict and while significant delay was incurred, the course is now scheduled to be offered in an intensive session in March 2010 in Amman as an adjacent meeting to the symposium taking place there in the context of this project. Following that intensive session, the course will continue as developed and assessment will be completed as appropriate and included in the final report of the project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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