The University of Jordan News UJ, BORDA Holds National Workshop on Sustainable...
  • 27 - Jan
  • 2025

UJ, BORDA Holds National Workshop on Sustainable Sanitation Solutions

​The Water, Energy, and Environment Center at the University of Jordan (UJ), in collaboration with the German Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA), held a specialized workshop under the theme “Together for Better Sanitation – Decentralized Solutions for a Sustainable Future in Jordan.”

The event brought together a distinguished group of experts, academics, and representatives from ministries, relevant institutions, international organizations, and the private sector to discuss challenges and innovative solutions in the field of sustainable sanitation.

In his opening remarks, the Center’s Director, Prof. Khaldoun Shatnawi, highlighted the event's importance in bringing together decision-makers, university leaders, and researchers. He outlined UJ and the Center's role in addressing national challenges like water scarcity, renewable energy, and wastewater management, emphasizing the workshop's goal of exchanging expertise to innovate sanitation solutions.

The first panel discussion, featuring experts from academia, industry, and government, emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to develop sustainable decentralized sanitation systems. Participants highlighted challenges with extending central networks, advocating for decentralized solutions as cost-effective alternatives that foster local development and job creation. They stressed the importance of raising community awareness, enhancing university research on innovative designs, and improving communication to exchange knowledge and skills. The panel also emphasized the importance of financial sustainability, acceptance of small-scale decentralized solutions, and the establishment of water engineering as an independent academic discipline.

The workshop included a series of specialized discussions that explored decentralized sanitation solutions and their applications in Jordan.