Blue Futures: Summer School on Water Research with Oles Honchar National University of Dnipro

As part of DniProNRW – Science Bridge, the summer school “Water, Contaminated Sites, and Innovative Detection and Monitoring Methods” took place from September 21 to 25 with a delegation from Oles Honchar Dnipro National University. Participants gained insights into current research approaches and practical applications in water and environmental research and discussed potential future collaborations.

The program included visits to the three universities of the Ruhr University Alliance as well as to non-university partners. At the University of Duisburg-Essen, the delegation toured various laboratories and research facilities that focus, among other things, on water quality, DNA-based methods, and the effects of various stressors on flowing waters. At Ruhr University Bochum, the focus was on approaches to environmental monitoring using remote sensing methods. At TU Dortmund University as well, the group gained insights into scientific work and potential areas for academic exchange.

In addition to university research, visits to the water technology company Wilo and to the Emschergenossenschaft/Lippeverband provided insights into practical applications. Topics included technical solutions related to water, wastewater treatment, and the restoration of water bodies.

The summer school combined scientific perspectives with practical application examples. The goal was to identify shared research interests and lay the groundwork for future collaborations between Oles Hontchar National University of Dnipro and the participating universities in the Ruhr region.

The event took place as part of DniProNRW – Science Bridge, a cooperation project between the Ruhr University Alliance and universities in the Dnipro region, funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW NRW). The project, developed and coordinated by UA Ruhr EECA, connects Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen with Ukrainian partner universities.