Baku - On 29 July 2020, the Kahriz Research and Information Center (KRIC) of the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (ASAU) in Ganja organized online workshop dedicated to the process of developing Kahriz engineering course which will be incorporated it into the regular curriculum for undergraduate students. This event organized as part of the KOICA-funded project “Integrated Rural Development for IDP Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of Kahriz Water Supply System” was attended by faculty members, students of ASAU, Nakhichevan State University, KRIC staff, IOM representatives and experts.

Vladimir Gjorgjiev, the Chief of IOM Mission to Azerbaijan in his opening remarks gave a brief information about the efforts on promoting sustainability and continuation of passing the skills and knowledge gained through the implementation of the afore-mentioned project to the new generation including establishment of KRIC, trainings and study visits organized for 10 selected faculty members of ASAU who will teaching Kahriz Engineering at the University.

Vladimir Gjorgjiev said that the workshop is the next step in reviving and transferring the historical knowledge of the kahriz engineering profession to the next generation of engineers and this event will create good preconditions for the planned Regional Conference on Kahriz Engineering, where participation of more than 80 scholars, government officials, engineers and other stakeholders is expected.

ASAU rector Ibrahim Jafarov in his speech highly appreciated the efforts done by IOM Azerbaijan within KOICA funded project and said that they will provide strong support to the project. “This project is very relevant and important for our country, which today suffers from water shortages due to the global climate change”, said Jafarov.

During the workshop participants made presentations on histories, studies, researches, best practices on kahriz systems and shared their experience in teaching kahriz engineering, rehabilitation of kahrizes in different regions of Azerbaijan.

The Kahriz Research and Information Center established in 2019 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’ is the unique specialized place for collecting, researching and disseminating the information, knowledge and experiences on kahriz systems. This project 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. In addition to the renovating the kahrizes, the project has components that involve capacity building, business development and a strong engagement with academia.