SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme: A Journey of Progress and Success

SGSP-IWRM students upon arriving in Germany in May for their mobility program. Pictured from left to right are Mr. Petrus Tuhafeni Paulus from Namibia, Ms. Ofentse Moseki and Ms. Catherine Tlotlo from Botswana, and Ms. Faith Kudzai Chihumbiri from South Africa

The SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (SGSP-IWRM) is an ambitious initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) one of SASSCAL’s main funders. The SGSP-IWRM is hosted by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in partnership with the International Centre of Water Resources (ICWRGC), a German institution. The PhD study programme aims to address critical water management challenges in Southern Africa through advanced education and research.

Mr. Mauricio Honorato Clemente from Angola, researching “Modeling of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentration Levels in the Cubango-Kavango River,” pictured during his data collection

Since its inception in 2022, the SGSP-IWRM has been instrumental in shaping the future of water resource management professionals in Southern Africa. The programme supports a dynamic cohort of PhD students who are making significant progress in their studies and contributing to the field through various achievements. So far, the programme has enrolled 13 students, three from each of SASSCAL Member States namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia, and one student from South Africa.

Ms. Faith Kudzai Chihumbiri from South Africa attending a climate change event in Germany as part of her mobility program

The students are on track to meet their milestones and are expected to complete their studies by 2025. They are engaged in various stages of their PhD programmes, including proposal finalisation, data collection and publishing of their research findings.

Mr. Jimmy Katambo, a student from Zambia, pictured with his supervisor and peers during the mobility program at the International Centre of Water Resources and Global Change in Germany

The research topics undertaken by the students are diverse, addressing essential aspects of water management such as hydrology, climate change impacts, water quality assessment, sustainable water use practices, and the application of artificial intelligence for more sustainable water resource management. This diversity ensures a comprehensive approach to tackling regional water management challenges, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary education and research.

Mr. Muumbe Kennethy Lweendo from Zambia engaged in his studies with peers in Germany

The students are currently in Germany at various universities on a three-month scientific mobility program organised by the ICWRGC, the German partner for the programme. This initiative enables them to collaborate with their German supervisors, enhancing their research through international collaboration and exposure to advanced tools and laboratories in water management. The study programme has been proactive in offering support by providing English language courses and additional academic assistance to Angolan students whose primary language is Portuguese. This support aims to improve their English language skills, thereby enhancing their academic performance and ensuring they can keep pace with their peers.
Below is the profile of the students reflecting their origins, current University for the mobility programme, their research topics, and their milestones.

Student Profiles and Research Topics:

Maria Nelago Kanyama Country: Namibia Research Topic: “Developing a lightweight blockchain ensemble machine learning anomaly detection model for smart water metering networks” Current Institution: Dresden University, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Andreas Hartmann Status: Completed scientific mobility, published three (3) journal articles, currently analysing data and writing up her thesis..	Emanuela Da Graca Lima Country: Angola Research Topic: Hydraulic Transients Effect in the Water Distribution System of Kilamba, Luanda Province, Angola. Current Institution: Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Status: Finalising proposal and data collection tools development
Petrus Tuhafeni Paulus Country: Namibia Research Topic: “Microbial quality and physico-chemical profiling of irrigation water used in Namibia” Current Institution: Bonn University, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Christian Borgemeister Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analysis.	Otlaadisa Tafila Country: Botswana Research Topic: “Investigating Groundwater and Surface Water Dynamics of the Okavango Delta for Sustainability of the Ecosystem and Livelihoods.” Current Institution: UFZ, Magdeburg, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Michael Rode Status: Scientific mobility, data collected and analysis, manuscript 2 writing.
Catherine Tlotlo Kerapetse Country: Botswana Research Topic: “Investigating groundwater and surface water interactions towards sustainable and optimal use in the Notwane Sub-Catchment, Botswana Current Institution: ZMT, Bremen, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Nils Moosdorf Status: Scientific mobility, data collected and analysis, manuscript 1 corrections.	Ofentse Moseki Country: Botswana Research Topic: “Assessment of pearl millet water use efficiency and productivity in semi-arid conditions of Namibia” Current Institution: ICWRGC, Koblenz, Germany Supervisor: Dr. Mathias Zink Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analysis, manuscript 1 writing.
Mauricio Honorato Clemente Country: Angola Research Topic: Modelling of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations Levels in Cubango – Kavango River by SWAT+ Current Institution: Kiel University, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Nicola Fohrer Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analyis, manuscript 1 writing	Muumbe Kennethy Lweendo Country: Zambia Research Topic: Securing the future of groundwater in the face of uncertainty and climate change, Lusaka region, Zambia Current Institution: TH Lübeck, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Christoph Külls Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analysis, manuscript writing
Jimmy Katambo Country: Zambia Research Topic: Meteorological drought forecasting in southern Africa using machine learning algorithms Current Institution: TH Köln, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Lars Ribbe Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analysis.	Faith Kudzai Chihumbiri Country: South Africa Research Topic: Determining factors for improving resilience in access to and management of water, energy & food in Namibia smallholder farming communities with contrasting socio-economic and environmental profiles Current Institution: Bonn University, Germany Supervisor: Dr. Tina Beuchelt Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analysis.
Sydney Sichilima Country: Zambia Research Topic: Water security in the upper Zambezi River Basin: hydrological modelling and climate change impact analysis Current Institution: BfG, Koblenz, Germany Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Hoffmann Status: Data Collection, manuscript 1 writing	Chiamba Ricardo Chiteculo Canivete (Picture) Country: Angola Research Topic: Designing a descriptive building information modelling and digital twin for leakage prevention in water distribution system in Luanda Current Institution: Ruhr University Bochum, Germany Supervisor: Prof. Martina Flörke Status: Data collection
Menare Royal Mabakeng Country: Namibia Research Topic: Investigating Water security in informal settlements households – comparative study of four urban centres in Namibia Current Institution: BfG, Koblenz, Germany Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Hoffmann Status: Scientific mobility, data collection and analysis, manuscript writing