Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Water Resources Management

Description of the Qualification

The purpose of this qualification is to enable Namibia to achieve a sustainable water resource management system that contributes to the attainment of social equity, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. This will be achieved through engagement at the highest level in research and analysis aimed at generating new knowledge and solutions to local, regional and international contexts. While global water demand continues to increase, in many parts of the world, the quantity and quality of water resources is decreasing. Conflicts over competition in the use of water are likely to increase as societies face social, economic and political challenges, especially aggravated by climate change. Sustainable management of water resources is therefore a key priority to meet the growing demand for water and to achieve a safe and environmentally sustainable future water supply.

The management of freshwater resources, and of services drawing upon water for functions central to human life, is of critical importance to healthy social, economic, and political well-being. Stresses exerted on the world’s water by demand from growing populations with changing consumption patterns, and by pollution and lack of environmental controls, have pushed water concerns high on the international agenda. In the recent years, there have been an increase in awareness about the importance of water management as population growth, new technologies, increased food consumption, land use and economic activities, among others, continue to exacerbate competition among water users in their bid to access natural resources. Sustainable water resources management encompasses the allocation and management of aquatic resources within the context of a multilayered, competing demand for water resources. Effective water resources development and management is recognized as a key component of environmentally sustainable development; poor management of the resources can easily become a hindrance to socio-economic development

Due to its dry climate and unpredictable rainfall, water resources challenges in Namibia can only be addressed through a high degree of efficient water resources management. This qualification will help Namibia realize her dream to “provide for the management, protection, development, use and conservation of water resources; to provide for the regulation and monitoring of water services and to provide for incidental matters” as stated in the Water Resources Management Act No. 11, 2013 as well as the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for Namibia. The qualification prepares students to share their knowledge with experts in the water sector and other practitioners through scholarly publications, presentations at knowledge sharing platforms and other forms of networking. This qualification was developed in consultation and collaboration with other local, regional and international universities who are the key stakeholders in the areas of research and innovation.

Admission /entry requirements

To be admitted to this qualification, a student must have successfully completed Master’s Degree programme in various fields of Water Resources Management or any related field at NQF Level 9.

Career opportunities

Employment opportunities may be found in the following public and private entities such as Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism; Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform; Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources; Ministry of Mines and Energy; Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development (a subsection on environmental related); Ministry of Higher Education (subsection on research); Namwater; Namibia Commission of Research, Science and Technology; Benguela Current Commission; International University of Management; UNAM; NUST;UNDP; Environmental Investment Fund; CUVECOM; OKACOM; KAZ; WWF; Mines; Municipalities and local authorities; and many organizations both locally and internationally. Important of all opportunities is research and consultancy.

Qualification structure