In complex basins like the Nile, where historical perceptions, culture and politics often overshadow facts on the ground, technical understanding and solutions to transboundary river-related development issues need to be devised. Further, reaching out to the next generation of professionals who may help riparian countries move beyond inter-generational conflicts to a new era of cooperation is equally important.
ENTRO has thus taken the initiative to establish an Internship Programme as part of its core activities and successfully implemented in the last 10 years. This programme has proven immensely popular in fostering cooperation and allowing ENTRO to enhance and its professional network.
The programme started in 2011 when ENTRO engaged the countries through partnership with scientific communities in the Eastern Nile universities. Eastern Nile countries have acknowledged the contribution of the Internship Programme and even instructed its sustenance and expansion. As a result, the Programme has extended its reach outside academia, to include Young Professionals practising their trade in the private sector, other government ministries, civil society, etc.
The main objective of this programme is to empower young people from the Eastern Nile Basin countries to support the emergence of a shared understanding about the resource base – its potentials, the risks it is facing and its future. The overarching objective is to engage young people in transboundary dialogue and trust building among relevant Nile basin stakeholders to enhance cooperation to mitigate risks and harness opportunities.
The interns have delivered more than 100 various water resources related technical knowledge products (analytic tools, toolkits, models, data, Remote Sensing Applications, analyses and study reports) that support ENTRO projects in many areas, including (Flood and Dro...
Internship Deliverables
The interns have delivered more than 100 various water resources related technical knowledge products (analytic tools, toolkits, models, data, Remote Sensing Applications, analyses and study reports) that support ENTRO projects in many areas, including (Flood and Drought Management; Dam Safety; Hydrological Analysis; Agriculture; Irrigation; Climate Change; Environmental; Groundwater; Hydropower; Rainwater Harvesting; Remote Sensing; Watershed Management; Water Resources Modelling; Sedimentation Management; Water Quality; Water Diplomacy; Transboundary Water Management as well as other activities such as: Web Portal Information Management System, E- Library Development, Database Packaging, Communication, etc.
The Internship Programme has benefited participants in countless ways. It has increased knowledge and skills on Water management, enhanced capacity to set up projects, increased their social capital (networks) within the water sector and provided opportunities for th...
Success Stories
The Internship Programme has benefited participants in countless ways. It has increased knowledge and skills on Water management, enhanced capacity to set up projects, increased their social capital (networks) within the water sector and provided opportunities for them to interact with other inspiring young people as well as given the young fellows on-going support from NBI and continuous mentorship from senior water experts. The internship plays a key role in sustaining Nile Basin engagement and partnership, particularly among water resources professionals, offsetting or otherwise moderating. In addition, the interns enrich the NBI Knowledgebase with an array of technical knowledge and academic traditions in understanding the river system nhelps NBI create a conducive environment where water resources professionals, academics and practitioners can come together and collaborate in solving the shared problems of the basin and build cooperative partnerships. For more on the programme, watch this video.