The First Training Camp (International Academy) of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences
Who will find answers for the future of water resources? On January 12, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo hosted a special gathering. More than 40 young scholars and experts from 17 countries including Italy, Brazil, South Africa and India assembled on the northern bank of the Yongjiang River for the First IAHS Academy of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences. Faced with worsening global challenges of water scarcity, water pollution and aquatic ecosystem degradation, this cross‑border dialogue seeks new pathways for humanity’s water future.
Chunmiao Zheng Delivers Remarks
Chunmiao Zheng, Vice‑President of Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, stated in his welcome address that global challenges demand the cultivation of a new generation of scientists with both professional competence and an international vision. As an innovative, international new‑type research‑oriented university featuring a high starting point, compact and refined scale, EIT is committed to advancing the integration of science and education. It hopes to nurture future hydrologists through events of this kind and serve social progress.
Salvatore Grimaldi Delivers Remarks
Salvatore Grimaldi, President of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), pointed out that opportunities and challenges coexist at present. The training camp aims to build an international platform integrating education, scientific research and practice, promote interactions between scholars and young talents, and strengthen global capacity building to tackle increasingly complex water-resource challenges.
Fuqiang Tian Delivers Remarks
Fuqiang Tian, Vice‑President of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences and Professor at Tsinghua University, stated that it is of great significance to hold the first training camp on EIT’s brand‑new campus. He hopes to systematically enhance young scholars’ professional competence by focusing on advanced hydrological data, tools and knowledge systems.
Scenes from the Training Camp
The keynote session was chaired by Fuqiang Tian. Participating scholars conducted in‑depth discussions on “Advancing Hydrological Science: From Knowledge Sharing to Addressing Global Water Challenges”. Three intensive short courses were offered during this training camp, focusing on hydrological modeling, advanced monitoring and groundwater dynamics, with emphasis on integrating theory with practice.
Fernando Nardi, Chair of the IAHS Training Camp, presided over the meeting.
The opening ceremony of the training camp was presided over by Fernando Nardi, Chair of the IAHS Training Camp. Co-hosted by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP), Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo and Tsinghua University, this event received support from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).
Q&A
Salvatore Grimaldi (Left), President of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, in conversation with Mahmut Tudaji, PhD from Tsinghua University (Right)
Mahmut Tudaji: What is the purpose of founding the IAHS Training Camp? What role is it expected to play in the community in the future?
Salvatore Grimaldi: Against the backdrop of mounting global water challenges, the IAHS Training Camp was established to strengthen global capacity building in hydrological science. It seeks to build an international platform integrating high-level education, cutting-edge scientific research and practical solutions to water issues. By fostering in-depth exchanges and collaboration between senior scientists and young scholars, the camp advances frontier knowledge in hydrological science and delivers feasible pathways to tackle the global water crisis.
Mahmut Tudaji: From a global perspective, what is the most pressing challenge facing hydrological science today?
Salvatore Grimaldi: Driven by combined climate change and human activities, extreme hydrological events, especially floods, have occurred frequently in recent years. Such events are evolving with higher frequency, greater intensity, stronger local features and growing uncertainty, posing unprecedented severe tests for existing hydrological monitoring systems, forecasting technologies and emergency decision-making frameworks.
Mahmut Tudaji: What do you think of the value of the integrated flood forecasting system developed by the IAHS Training Camp?
Salvatore Grimaldi: By integrating advanced sensing technologies, real-time data acquisition and intelligent forecasting capabilities, this innovation creates an integrated hydrological monitoring and early warning system, marking a major breakthrough over traditional fragmented approaches for water hazard mitigation. The system applies not only to regions chronically threatened by floods, but also boasts prominent application value and promotion potential for arid and semi-arid zones worldwide increasingly hit by extreme rainfall and sudden flash floods.
