Nile Basin Environmental Flows
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This course addresses the principle for good e-flows, aspects of e-flows assessment methods, transboundary management principles and practices, application of regional E-flow assessments and the implementation of the Nile E-flow framework and the management of e-flows in the context of SDGs.

About this Course

As development pressures within the Nile Basin keep increasing, it’s more important than ever to recognize the connections between freshwater resources, aquatic ecosystems, the services they provide, and the communities that rely on them. Environmental flows is a tool within the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) toolbox used to understand, quantify, and develop management decisions to maintain these connections.

Environmental flows, or E-flows, describe the quantity, quality and timing of water flows required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and wellbeing that depend on these ecosystems. It is an approach used to understand and maintain ecosystem services in situations where human development pressures can change river flows, and thus impacting these important ecosystem services. To maintain them at their desired levels, the proper amount, timing, and condition of water resources needs to be determined and then integrated into water resources planning efforts, protecting them for current and future generations.

This course will introduce participants to the concept of environmental flows, discuss different environmental flow methods that can be applied, and go through each step in the Nile E-flows Framework in detail, as well as showcase current applications. The information presented here will provide a foundation for those looking to implement environmental flow within their own sub-basin and provide context on how to incorporate their work with other E-flows efforts in the Nile River Basin.

The course is primarily targeted at nationals of Nile Basin countries involved with the Nile Basin Initiative and is designed to equip them with the knowledge needed to apply the Nile E-flows Framework.

The course may also be of interest to staff of donor agencies active in the Nile region; academics, students, and professionals working in the areas of IWRM, transboundary river basin management, environmental resources management, international water law and diplomacy, and conflict management; and people of all walks of life, residing within the basin or other parts of the world, who have a curiosity about the Nile River and its management.

The course is primarily targeted at nationals of Nile countries involved in the Nile Basin Initiative processes and is designed to equip them with management principles and practices, application of regional E-flow assessments and the implementation of the Nile E-flow framework and the management of E-flows in the context of SDGs. The course may also be of interest to staff of donor agencies active in the Nile region; academics and students of transboundary water management; professionals working in the areas of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), transboundary river basin management, environmental resources management, international water law and diplomacy, and conflict management; and people of all walks of life, residing within the basin or other parts of the world, who have a curiosity about the enigmatic Nile River and its management.

Requirements

We recommend that you have basic knowledge of hydrology, aquatic ecology, ecosystem services, and natural and water resources management. If you need a refresher on these topics, we encourage you to check out the informational videos from eflows.net. You will also need basic computer skills to launch and view multi-media instruction materials and download and read course notes.

Admission Process

On this page, when you scroll to the top, you will find enrol button. Click on this button and add your registration information on the page displayed. Click "create My NBI eLearning course account". Then the booking is complete, and you will have enrolled. Where can I obtain more information on the course? For more information on the NBI Induction course, please call the number +256 414 321 424, or send an email to: e-courses@nilebasin.org.

Course Staff

Dr. Modathir Zaroug

Modathir Zaroug is a regional water resources modeler at the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat. Modathir worked with the Sudanese Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity since Nov. 2003. He was a postdoctoral research fellow for three years in the Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) project. He was a part of a multi-disciplinary research group at the African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI) at University of Cape Town, interacting with research teams from Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa and India. He has a PhD from the University of Khartoum and International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy. During that time he worked three years at Drought Early Warning and Forecasting in Africa (DEWFORA) to strengthen preparedness and adaptation in Africa. He got his M.Sc. in Hydroinformatics from UNESCO IHE for Water Education, Delft, Netherlands. He has a good experience in hydrology and familiar with different hydrological models and regional climate modelling. He is interested in the Nile Basin climate and hydrology.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me go learn through the course?

A good estimation is about 20 to 24 learning hours including the reading time of a series of resource material. The 3 module exams may take another 60 hrs. If you consider some time to get familiar with the system add approx. 1 to 2 hrs.

Which language will be used?

English is the language used in multi-media instructional materials, for communication between trainees and moderators and in discussions on the discussion platform.

Are there plans to develop courses in other languages such as French and Arabic?

In the medium to long term and based, among other things, on feedback on the English course, the NBI may consider translation of the English course to other major languages used in the Nile region.

Who is eligible to participate in the course?

Admission is open to anybody interested in the course, but priority will be given to citizens of the Nile riparian countries and to people involved in one way or another to the Nile cooperation process.

Do I have to pay to take the course?

The course will be free of charge to persons admitted to the course.

What is the benefit for me if I do the course?

It will help you understand and appreciate transboundary challenges and opportunities in the cooperative basin management.

How much does the course cost?

There are no course fees for you, as it aims at strengthening capacity and deepening knowledge of transboundary water resources in the Nile Basin.

What are the requirements for admission to the course?

Applicants must preferably be citizens of the Nile riparian countries or involved in promoting Nile cooperation. Applicants must also have attained a basin level of education (secondary school level) and have basic knowledge of knowledge of geography, natural resources management, water management and international water law principles. Trainees also need to have basic computer skills to be able to launch and view multi-media instruction materials, download and read course notes, and participate in a discussion platform.

What equipment do I need to be able to participate in the online course?

Participants need a computer or mobile communication appliance like a smart phone or tablet plus internet connectivity to be able to participate in the online course.

What materials will I receive for the course?

Participants will receive course notes in PDF format and have access to online multimedia materials.

Is a certificate awarded at the end of the course?

A Certificate of Successful Completion of the course shall be issued to participants who successfully complete the course.

What do I need to receive the Certificate of Successful Completion of the Course?

To be able to receive the Certificate of Successful Completion of the Course, participants must fulfil the following requirements: (a) complete all 3 modules and 18 Learning Sessions of the NBI E-flows course; (b) take the knowledge check quizzes of all the Leaning Sessions; (c) take the graded quiz for all the modules and obtain a score equal to or greater than 80% of the total possible scores; and (d) provide feedback (for our improvement). You will get automatically a certificate as soon as you reached 80% of the total possible scores.

Is the NBI E-flows course accredited?

At present (2022) the NBI course is not accredited with any education accreditation body.

I am a university student. Can I obtain credit points from this course that I can transfer to my University Course?

Credit points are a standard measure of work load (study hours) in university courses. At present (2022), the NBI course is not linked to any regular university course. Therefore, it will not be possible to transfer credit points from this course to your university course.

When will the next course run?

Please contact e-courses@nilebasin.org.

What is the process of application for the course?

What is the deadline for application of the course?

Please contact e-courses@nilebasin.org.

Where can I obtain more information on the course?

For more information on the NBI course, please call the number +256 414 321 424 . Or send an email to: e-courses@nilebasin.org.

What computing skills and equipment are needed for the course?

A computer connected to internet, and an up todate browser.

Can I participate in a course which is ongoing?

Yes, you can participate in the course upon enrolment. But you are encouraged to participate in the entire course.