On 14 August 2026, Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Project Office of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Turkmenistan, held a meeting with two citizens of Turkmenistan who have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management at the German-Kazakh University (DKU).
The students will pursue their studies within the framework of a grant programme aimed at strengthening the professional capacity of young specialists in the fields of water resources management, environmental protection and sustainable development.
The meeting provided an opportunity for a substantive exchange of views on current trends and global challenges in the areas of water resources and environmental protection. Particular attention was given to issues that could serve as promising areas for the students’ future coursework and thesis research.
Mergen Kepbanov noted that today, water resources specialists need to approach water management not in isolation, but in close connection with climate change, food and energy security, biodiversity conservation, land degradation, digitalization and transboundary cooperation.
“Today, young professionals have a unique opportunity not only to acquire academic knowledge, but also to develop solutions to real environmental and water-related challenges facing the region. I would recommend that future Master’s students focus from the very beginning of their studies on topics of practical relevance to Central Asia, including climate resilience, efficient management of scarce water resources, digitalization of the water sector, Nature-based Solutions, ecosystem restoration and transboundary cooperation. Research that is capable of combining a scientific approach with practical solutions will be increasingly important and in demand in the future,” emphasized Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.
Particular attention during the meeting was also devoted to the professional development of young specialists. The students received recommendations on selecting research topics, identifying relevant academic literature, participating in international projects and conferences, and building professional networks with experts and organizations working in the fields of water resources and environmental protection.
A second-year Master’s student at DKU also attended the meeting. The participants discussed prospects for the preparation of his future Master’s thesis. The discussion covered possible research areas, their practical relevance for the Central Asian region, as well as future professional development opportunities following the completion of his studies.
Special emphasis was placed on the need for greater involvement of young professionals in addressing regional environmental and water-related challenges. In this regard, such promising areas as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate adaptation, the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), digital monitoring of water resources, water reuse, improving water efficiency in agriculture, restoration of aquatic ecosystems, and transboundary river basin management were highlighted.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mergen Kepbanov wished the Master’s students success in their studies and academic achievements. He also expressed confidence that the knowledge and practical experience they gain will contribute to the further development of water and environmental cooperation in Central Asia.
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Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov
Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan turkmenistan@carececo.org