Field visit to the Nile Research Institute

In the context of strengthening scientific and research cooperation between the Higher Valley Institute of Engineering and Technology and the National Water Research Center, and under the auspices of Eng. Aya Osama Mohi El-Din, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Prof. Dr. Abed Mahmoud Ahmed Gad, Dean of the Institute, and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Afifi, Head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, a delegation from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department conducted a field visit to the Nile Research Institute, affiliated with the National Water Research Center and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

The delegation included Assistant Lecturer Rafida El-Hegrasi, Eng. Ahmed Ayman, and a group of students from the department. The visit aimed to bridge the gap between academic courses and practical applications in the field of water resources, and to support student capacity building in addressing contemporary water challenges.

The delegation was received by the Institute's Capacity Building Unit, where Dr. Iman Noufal, Head of the Unit, indicated that this visit is part of the Nile Research Institute's efforts to establish effective communication channels with educational institutions and to develop engineering professionals capable of contributing to the development of the water sector and supporting sustainable development initiatives. Professor Hossam El-Sersawy, Director of the Nile Research Institute, welcomed the delegation, emphasizing the vital importance of such initiatives in raising students' awareness of the importance of preserving the Nile River as the lifeblood of Egypt, and in preparing them for their future roles as engineers in water resources management.

Professor Walid El-Omari, Secretary General of the Institute, also delivered a presentation linking the department's curriculum (such as surveying, mechanics, hydraulics, and soil analysis) to the practical applications used in water resources management. The presentation included a demonstration of the use of modern surveying equipment, such as Total Stations and GPS, in surveying operations, as well as a detailed explanation of the laboratory equipment used in hydrological experiments and soil testing. In a specialized session, Professor Dr. Walid Suleiman delivered an introductory presentation on the Nile Research Institute, covering its organizational structure, research departments, and key scientific roles in supporting the water resources sector. He highlighted the Institute's applied scientific research to address challenges related to fluctuating water flows, climate change, and population growth. The presentation also addressed several pivotal research and applied areas, including:

1- Methods for calculating Nile River flow and predicting floods, particularly those resulting from changes in the Ethiopian Highlands.

2- Technical protection and precautionary measures to mitigate fluctuations in water flows.

3- The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in hydrological analysis and runoff rate calculations.

4- Water quality studies and the measurement of factors affecting water quality.

5- Methods for calculating evaporation and utilizing evaporation measurement stations, along with the extraction of climate data via satellite imagery. Dr. Suleiman emphasized the national efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to preserve the Nile River, noting that removing encroachments is a strategic step to protect this vital resource.

He also presented real-world examples of national projects in which the institute contributed to the preparation of technical and engineering studies, most notably the Ahl Masr Promenade and the section of the metro line running beneath the Nile.

At the end of the day, the delegation toured the research laboratories, where they were briefed on the latest experiments and technologies used to support technical studies and engineering reports. The visit concluded with a Nile cruise that included the Qanater El-Khayriya (Delta Barrages), where the operation of these vital hydraulic structures and their role in regulating and distributing water to irrigation networks throughout the Delta were explained.

At the end of the visit, a meeting was held between the two parties, and they agreed to hold a coordination meeting to prepare a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the fields of training and scientific research.