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Learn about research stays

Dr. Saroj Kumar Chapagain, an Associate Programme Officer at United Nations University- Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), Dresden, has successfully concluded his month-long research stay at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, from May 1st to May 31st, 2023. The research stay, funded by the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre), aimed to foster collaboration among partners of the Centre.

Main outcomes

One of the key outcomes of Dr. Chapagain’s research stay was the collaborative development of a joint review paper. He worked closely with Prof. Mukund Babel, Dr. Dibesh Khadka, and Prof. Daniel Karthe to draft a systematic review paper on using machine learning (ML) in drought prediction. The team developed an outline and initially screened relevant papers, categorizing them based on specific areas of ML application. The research stays also provided an invaluable opportunity for knowledge sharing and discussions on the nexus approach in integrated resource management. Dr. Chapagain emphasized the importance of the nexus approach and the need for decision support tools, such as sustainability assessment, to promote its implementation in resource planning processes.

Furthermore, Dr. Chapagain participated in a Water Security Assessment Tool (WATSAT) training workshop organized by AIT and Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). This workshop equipped professionals in the water sector with practical skills to assess water security using WATSAT. In addition, the research stay facilitated fruitful collaborations and engagements with leading universities in Thailand, including Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Ramkhamhaeng University. Dr. Chapagain introduced the ABCD-Centre and highlighted scholarship opportunities for graduates and the potential for future collaborations.

Overall, the research stay hosted by AIT proved to be highly productive, providing an excellent platform for sharing research experiences and exploring climate change adaptation initiatives. It paved the way for developing new research topics, strengthened the partnership beyond ABCD Centre, and opened doors for collaborations with other research centers and universities in Thailand.

Julia Menschick

"I have been interested in India’s cultural wealth and variety of landscapes for a long time, but the IIT Madras campus was particularly amazing. It is in the beautiful nature of the former Guindy National Park and is home to tropical flora and fauna like monkeys, deer, antelopes, and rodents. I stayed in the Sabarmati Girls Hostel, where I felt very safe and got to know great friends mattis."

“When I applied at IIT Madras, I received very friendly responses from my host supervisors. I felt truly fortunate. Preparation for travelling to India included some vaccinations and applying for a student visa in Frankfurt. Moreover, I had to plan my accommodation, flight and transport from airport to the campus.”

To put it all in a nutshell, I truly appreciate these memorable moments with awesome people I am still in contact with. Chennai has surprised me many times. There is always something unexpected happening: a goat on a motorbike, a mattress on a motorbike, monkeys stealing food, a monkey riding a deer, cows on the street and chaotic traffic. I would love to visit India again.

Kaushal Chapagain experience

I am very grateful to have been selected as one of the first recipients of the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre)—Future Environmental Leadership (FEL) scholar’s scientific cohort. During my one year of scientific training under the joint supervision of Prof. Babel (AIT), Prof. Daniel (UNU-FLORES), and Prof. Stamm (TU-Dresden) on my PhD thesis on the topic “Framework For Assessment Of Water Energy Food Nexus Under Climate Change: An Application To The Ping River Basin, Thailand”, I received a lot of feedback and suggestions which provided significant help to enhance the quality of my doctoral research.

During my entire research period under the FELS program, I could draft a manuscript from my PhD research and published two papers in high-quality journals. I also had ample opportunity to participate and present my research in workshops, dialogues, and conferences, to name a few, like the ABCD Resource Nexus dialogue, Dresden Nexus Conference 2022 (DNC 2022), Global Centres PhD Colloquium, and DAAD event.

I feel privileged and lucky to have joined UNU-FLORES as a visiting researcher under the program because it has helped me a great deal to broaden my understanding of the “Resource Nexus” concept.

I got exposure to one of the top-tier think-tank institutes that advocates for the resource nexus and had a chance to learn about the high quality of ongoing research and projects. I also got a nice networking opportunity with highly experienced professors, doctoral students, and individuals from diverse backgrounds along with being a member of the UNU- Water Network and Early Career Scientist (ECS) Water Network.

The past 10 months I have been involved at UNU-FLORES have proven to be very beneficial in terms of my development as a researcher and I see this collaboration go beyond the Future Environmental Leadership training period..

Everybody here is cordial, engaged in discussions, and open to collaboration. I encourage and recommend the doctoral studentsnfrom the Global South to apply for the ABCD Future Environmental Leaders Scholarship call to gain the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.