Quarterly Report FY19 Q3: Center of Excellence for Water

The project aims to create a Center of Excellence for Water at Alexandria University, with a total allocated budget of $30 Million USD. The project is managed by The American University in Cairo (AUC) and has multiple partnerships and stakeholders, including universities, public institutions, and industries. During the reporting period of April 1st to June 30th (FY19Q3), the project achieved several key highlights. The Advisory Committee of the project was established, with high-profile personalities from participating universities and major stakeholders. The committee is chaired by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and includes representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and the Governor of Alexandria. The Steering Committee of the project was also established, with a minimum number of executive persons to ensure effectiveness and rapidity of movement. The committee is composed of representatives from Alexandria University, AUC, Egyptian Partner Universities, US Universities, and EG Companies. The Steering Committee held its first meeting in Alexandria University on June 18th 2019. The project has also made significant progress in managing its activities through an online platform (Trello), which includes information, discussions, and uploaded files about all project activities. Direct communication has been established between each project pillar's chairman and co-chairman, and a system of direct communication has been set up between each project pillar's chairman and co-chairman. The project has also identified the spaces of the CoE in Alexandria University (administrative and laboratory spaces) and started to equip them. The setup of the Exchange component of the project has been finalized, and the first PPP seminar was held at the University of Alexandria. The project is also in progress of building the CoE website and has submitted the CoE draft M&E Plan to USAID. The project has received feedback from the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Governor of Alexandria, expressing their support and willingness to collaborate with the CoE. The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation requested that the CoE work on the creation of a "Water Resources Management Tool for Egypt" and participate in the Cairo Water Week. The Minister of Agriculture expressed his support to the CoE for water and will be providing the CoE with the National Strategy for Agriculture. The project has also planned to hold the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on September 12th 2019 in Alexandria. The project has made significant progress in its first six months, and several technical activities have been carried out during the reporting period. The project has also discussed and decided on several concepts mentioned vaguely in the proposal. The project has a total of five components: Governance of CoE, Instructional Innovation and Curriculum Development, High Quality Applied Research, Exchanges, Training and Scholarship, and Sustainability. The project has made significant progress in all components, with several activities carried out during the reporting period. The project has a strong geographic focus on Egypt, with a focus on addressing the country's water challenges. The project has a total duration of five years, beginning on February 20th 2019, and has a total allocated budget of $30 Million USD. The project is managed by The American University in Cairo (AUC) and has multiple partnerships and stakeholders, including universities, public institutions, and industries. The project has a strong implementation focus, with a focus on creating a Center of Excellence for Water at Alexandria University. The project has made significant progress in its first six months, with several technical activities carried out during the reporting period. The project has also discussed and decided on several concepts mentioned vaguely in the proposal. The project has a strong monitoring and evaluation focus, with a focus on tracking progress and making adjustments as necessary. The project has submitted the CoE draft M&E Plan to USAID and has planned to hold the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on September 12th 2019 in Alexandria. The project has made significant progress in its first six months, and several technical activities have been carried out during the reporting period. The project has a strong sustainability focus, with a focus on ensuring the long-term viability of the CoE. The project has planned to hold the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on September 12th 2019 in Alexandria and has submitted the CoE draft M&E Plan to USAID. The project has made significant progress in its first six months, and several technical activities have been carried out during the reporting period.