Within the framework of the ENRUC project, the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems at TH Köln, University of Applied Sciences Cologne – Germany, in collaboration with the University of Khartoum, Sudan, successfully organized an online training program titled “Water Resources Modeling and Drought Assessment for Data-Scarce Regions (WDA2026)”.
Held over three sessions on 23rd February, 26th February, and 3rd March 2026, the course was attended by more than 25 participants primarily from Sudan. The participants represented diverse professional backgrounds related to environmental sciences, water resources, and civil engineering. Among them were PhD candidates and research associates who are actively engaged in academic and applied research. Their involvement reflects an important step towards the knowledge transfer and capacity building efforts integral to the ENRUC project.
Throughout the training, participants acquired practical skills in managing water resources in regions with limited hydrometeorological data, focusing on the application of open-source datasets and modeling frameworks such as Google Earth Engine and the HBV-light hydrological model. Emphasis was placed on hands-on training for assessing water availability, streamflow estimation, and drought characterization — all critical for sustainable water resource management in Sudan and similar data-scarce environments.
This training not only enhanced the technical expertise of the attendees but also strengthened the collaborative network among experts and researchers dedicated to advancing water resource resilience in the region. Participants expressed enthusiasm in applying the newly gained knowledge to their ongoing research and professional activities, thereby promoting the sustainable use and management of water resources.
