Baku - The Kahriz Research and Information Center established by International Organization for Migration and the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University within the KOICA-funded project ‘Integrated Rural Development for IDP Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of Kahriz Water Supply System’ has been opened. The Center is the unique specialized place for collecting, researching and disseminating the information, knowledge and experiences on kahriz systems.

Chief of IOM Mission, the Country Director of the KOICA Azerbaijan Office, Rector and staff of ASAU, students, representatives of Ganja Executive Power, the State Committee for refugee and IDP issues and other guests participated at the opening ceremony of the Center which took place at the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief of IOM Mission to Azerbaijan Vladimir Gjorgjiev said that the center is the next step in reviving and transferring the historical knowledge of the kahriz engineering profession from Khankans Masters to the next generation of engineers that will further develop new renovation models based on the new available technology. “To this end, ASAU faculty members who participated in training courses on kahriz engineering organized by IOM Azerbaijan will teach relevant specialists in Azerbaijan based on a curriculum prepared jointly with the IOM and they will be able to rehabilitate the kahriz engineering profession to the next quality and efficient levels,” said Vladimir Gjorgjiev.

Rector of the Azerbaijan State Agricultural University Ibrahim Jafarov said that the Center can host both local and international events to share experience in the kahriz engineering. “I am sure that Kahriz Research and Information Center will become soon the unique specialized Center for collecting, researching and disseminating the information, knowledge and experiences on kahriz systems,” said Ibrahim Jafarov.

Ms. Pak Kumok, Country Director of the Azerbaijan International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), project donor, stressed the importance of the project objectives for Azerbaijan and wished the participants and future students great success.

Within the scope of this partnership, ASAU faculty members have already received training of trainers on kahriz engineering and they visited the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in order to improve their knowledge of kahriz water supply system and enable their learning from best practices of kahriz rehabilitation and maintenance in Nakhchivan. Within the project curriculum on kahriz engineering will be soon developed jointly with IOM and this subject is included to the teaching curriculum of respective specialities.

The project, “Integrated Rural Development for internally displaced persons (IDP) Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of the Kahriz Water Supply System,” financed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), focuses on improving the water supply in rural areas of Aghdam, Aghjabedi, Barda, Fuzuli, Ganja, Gazakh, Goranboy and Goygol districts through the renovation of over 40 kahrizes – a man-made, centuries-old, traditional water-supply system that does not need electricity or fossil fuel to function. This water-supply method ensures the protection of biodiversity and contributes to local communities’ quality of life.

In addition to the renovating the kahrizes, the project has components that involve capacity building, business development and a strong engagement with academia.

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