DKU Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability

As part of the Fellowship Programme organized by the Kazakh-German University (DKU) within the framework of the Green Central Asia II project, implemented by GIZ, researchers at the Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability (CRS) conduct studies aimed at addressing key challenges of sustainable natural resource management in Central Asia.

«Hello! I am Rustam Rakhmetov, a research fellow at the Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability (CRS). Driven by a passion for sustainable agriculture, my research focuses on water-use dynamics in the agricultural sector, particularly the drivers of the transition to water-saving production.
My workflow links satellite remote sensing directly to local water governance. First, I use remote sensing to calculate specialized spectral indices to identify exactly which crops are grown across the landscape. Next, I apply advanced machine-learning boundary-detection algorithms to map individual agricultural parcels over time. This lets me track precisely how crop choices and water consumption shift field by field, year after year.
What makes this analysis unique is its integration with official local registries. By blending these satellite-derived crop maps with Kazakhstan’s National Cadaster database and official KazVodKhoz water distribution contracts, I can analyze the direct relationship between land property rights, contractual agreements, and actual water use.
Moving forward, the next step in my project is to use economic modeling to predict how future policy changes or financial incentives might encourage smarter water management. Ultimately, by connecting space-based data with legal contracts, my research aims to provide practical, meaningful solutions to make Central Asia more water-secure.
My research would not be possible without the support of the CRS team. I am very grateful for the opportunity to conduct world-class research with full academic freedom and strong connections to leading scientists».

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The Green Central Asia II project is a regional programme implemented by GIZ (the German Agency for International Cooperation). It aims to strengthen transboundary cooperation among Central Asian countries in the areas of climate change adaptation, sustainable water resource management, and environmental security.

Free Online Courses on Water Resources by DKU, IHE Delft and Erasmus+ HWCA 💧

As part of the Erasmus+ HWCA project, DKU and IHE Delft developed two free online courses for students, young professionals, and everyone interested in sustainable water resources management in Central Asia.

📌 Water Diplomacy
This course focuses on international cooperation in the field of water resources. Participants explore international agreements, conflict prevention mechanisms, negotiation processes, and real-world examples of water diplomacy from different countries.

📌 Strategic Water Resources Management
The course covers water policy, legal frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and the principles of integrated water resources management. The programme includes practical case studies and international experience in sustainable water governance.

Participants who complete the courses will receive an electronic certificate.

The courses are fully online and free of charge.

Learn more and register:
https://erasmus.crs.dku.kz/ru/courses/

For inquiries:
📩 [email protected]

A proposal has been put forward to designate March 26 as the International Day of the Aral Sea, as well as the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

The initiative was announced in Astana during the meeting of the Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and the Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026.

This once again demonstrates that the future of the Aral region is no longer discussed only within scientific and environmental circles, but has become part of the broader international sustainability agenda.

Over the past decades, the Aral Sea has become one of the world’s most striking examples of environmental degradation.

— the sea has lost nearly 90% of its volume
— more than 54,000 km² have turned into salt desert
— up to 80 million tons of salt and dust are carried from the dried seabed every year
— communities across the region continue to experience the consequences of environmental decline and deteriorating water quality

At the same time, the region remains an important space for research, international collaboration, and the development of practical solutions.

These issues are at the core of the 8th Aral Summer School 2026.

This year, the programme will bring together young researchers, educators, specialists, and practitioners working in sustainable development, water management, ecology, education, and science communication.

Participants will:
— attend lectures and workshops with international experts
— take part in field research in the Aral Sea region
— explore environmental and social challenges through practice-based learning
— work with approaches in education for sustainable development (ESD) and science communication
— develop their own educational materials and case studies

📍August 14–22, 2026
📍Almaty + Aral Sea region
⏳ Application deadline: June 15, 2026

Applications can be submitted via the following link:

https://forms.gle/bj9Q6MoGKsV6Qmpu6

Why join the Aral Summer School?

The Aral Summer School is more than lectures and a study trip to the Aral Sea region. It is an opportunity to gain practical experience, build international connections, and develop skills that can be applied in research, education, and professional practice.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

— work with international experts and researchers
— explore environmental and social challenges through field-based learning
— learn how to transform field data into educational materials and case studies
— strengthen science communication and teaching skills
— gain experience with modern tools, including GIS and remote sensing
— gain experience in interdisciplinary and international collaboration
— become part of a professional network focused on sustainable development

The programme welcomes young professionals, researchers, educators, and practitioners from Central Asia aged 18 to 40.

The Summer School is particularly relevant for those working in environmental sciences, water resources, climate change, agriculture, and education.

📅 August 14–22, 2026
⏳ Application deadline: June 15, 2026

More information and the application form are available via the link
https://forms.gle/bj9Q6MoGKsV6Qmpu6

On 11 May 2026, a closed webinar titled Steering Meeting on Educational Capacities and Collaboration in Transformative Water Diplomacy was held within the framework of the CRoWD project.

During the webinar, participants discussed existing academic programmes and educational initiatives in the field of water diplomacy, identified key gaps and priority areas for future development, and explored opportunities for joint educational initiatives among consortium partners.

Special attention was given to survey findings on educational capacities, existing academic programmes, and prospects for further cooperation between universities and research centres.

Representatives of CRoWD partner institutions took part in the meeting, including IHE Delft, the University of Khartoum, the Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management, the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Aalto University, South Asian University, and the Kazakh-German University. The educational component on transformative water diplomacy is jointly coordinated by IHE Delft, DKU, and UoK.

The discussions also addressed the development and revision of educational modules, teaching materials, and water diplomacy programmes for integration into Master’s programmes at partner universities.

The meeting concluded with an outline of further steps, including the preparation of meeting minutes, the development of collaboration proposals, and the organisation of follow-up coordination meetings.