العربية
The Netherlands and Oman, building on their longstanding history of successful collaborations, have embarked on a new and transformative partnership by establishing the RENEW (Research and Education Network in Energy and Water) consortium. This initiative, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Muscat, brings together leading institutions from both countries to address pressing challenges in energy and water sustainability.
A consortium agreement will soon be signed by all participating parties, complementing the already established His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Academic Chair at Utrecht University. Omani participants include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, NAMA Services, Sultan Qaboos University (including Environmental Centre, Sustainable Energy Research Centre, and Water Research Centre), Sohar University, University of Nizwa, and GUTECH. Additional higher education institutions, companies, and authorities are expected to join the consortium to maximize its impact.
From the Netherlands, Utrecht University, represented by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Academic Chair of Quantitative Water Management, will serve as the instrumental partner and work toward engaging other Dutch higher education institutions and industries in this consortium.
When asked for a comment, Stella Kloth, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Sultanate of Oman, let know that
“the Embassy applauds the establishment of the RENEW partnership. The Embassy stands in support of knowledge exchange between our countries on today’s acute challenges regarding energy and water and the RENEW agreement is not only an example of this, but also aligns with the aims that our countries set out together for instance in the 2022 MoU in the field of green energy.”
Dr. Amir Raoof, the Chair of Sultan Qaboos Chair of Quantitative Water Management, emphasized that “this consortium will work towards bridging the gap between disciplines, essential to tackle water and energy challenges.”
Professor Ghassan Al-Kindi, the Sohar University Pro Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, stated that “the parties in this consortium will join their forces towards accelerating the development of innovative and impactful solutions to the water and energy challenges.”
The consortium will focus on prioritized projects in energy and water, with expected outcomes contributing to the development of new technologies and methodologies applicable to real-world problems. Additionally, the partnership aims to disseminate knowledge and raise awareness about sustainable practices in water and energy management, empowering the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and motivation needed to address environmental challenges and drive sustainable innovation.