Keeping water resources and climate change in Afghanistan on the agenda
"I wanted to contribute to the water resources knowledge pool as a benchmark that could be used for water resources management and investment initiatives in Afghanistan".
Fazlullah Akhtar (Afghanistan) is a Senior Researcher at ZEF. He graduated in 2017 on the topic of Water Availability and Demand Analysis in the Kabul River Basin, Afghanistan at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bonn.
Q&A with Dr. Akhtar
What was your motivation to do your PhD at ZEF?
My motivation to start a PhD at ZEF was based on the reputation and expertise available at ZEF. After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, my very first job was with the Welthungerhilfe (WHH) in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. It was in a project that was jointly managed by WHH and ZEF, and that's how I got to know ZEF. I realized that tapping into ZEF's intellectual resources and networks could pay off for my future research and studies. In addition, the supervision offered by ZEF and the interdisciplinary working environment were very appealing to me. It allowed me to explore issues from different perspectives. Last but not least, ZEF's focus areas were very much in line with my research interests.
Doing a PhD at ZEF was made possible through funding by a DAAD-EPOS scholarship and research funding by the Hermann Eiselen Ph.D. Research Support Program.
Why is your dissertation topic still relevant?
First: Agriculture is still the largest employment sector and the main source of livelihood for millions of people in Afghanistan. Second, water resources are at risk due to increasing competition between sectors in the country. Third, the effects of climate change have been catastrophic for Afghanistan. Water resources are at risk due to decreasing snow cover, erratic rainfall, and a shift in weather patterns in recent years.
Floods and droughts has become more pronounced, with a significant impact on the country's natural resources and, consequently, its economy.
How has your doctoral education at ZEF influenced your career?
My PhD education has had a profound impact on my personal and professional life. I have been involved in various networks, especially research, donor and diplomatic communities working on water resources, climate change and water management about Afghanistan and neighboring countries. I have also been able to present the case of Afghanistan in many national and international scientific forums. Based on my acquired skills, I have been able to work with public ministries in Afghanistan, including the Office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. I have also worked as a consultant with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, the German International Cooperation Agency GIZ, the international NGO OXFAM, etc.
What are you most proud of in terms of your career accomplishments?
I am very proud of the collaborations and partnerships I have developed throughout my career. These networks have not only broadened my perspective but have also led to more effective and sustainable solutions. Ultimately, I am most proud of the combination of my contributions (albeit very limited) to the development of the water resources sector in Afghanistan. These achievements serve as a driving force that motivates me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my career.