Forging collaborations on water governance, peace and diplomacy with Azerbaijan

The delegation, led by ISS rector, Professor Ruard Ganzevoort and accompanied by Ms. Shahla Balakishiyeva, a senior policy officer at the Netherlands Embassy in Azerbaijan, visited universities, Ministries and government agencies to discuss research activities and provide an opportunity to explore how ISS can support academic institutions in the Caucasus, for example by sharing its experience and best practices in attracting international students.

Through this partnership, Khazar University, for example, aims to strengthen the quality of its research on water diplomacy and governance by collaborating with internationally recognized institutions in these fields. At the same time, it seeks to enhance the attractiveness of its educational programmes to both domestic and international students, including through the development of double degree programmes.

ISS sought to explore how its expertise on governance frameworks (public-private partnerships, public sector reform), social dimensions of water management (community participation and infrastructure maintenance), and economic aspects (water pricing, investment climate, climate change adaptation) could be integrated with technical and engineering solutions.

In addition, ISS consulted a number of international organizations operating in Azerbaijan, and Patrizia Rampioni delivered two workshops introducing the European Union’s grant schemes to Azerbaijani students and researchers.

Delegation members

• Professor Ruard Ganzevoort (Rector of ISS)
• Dr Oane Visser (Associate Professor)
• Dr Farhad Mukhtarov (Assistant Professor)
• Mr Sebastian Rodriguez (Business Development Officer)
• Ms Patrizia Rampioni (Grant Advisor)
• Ms Shahla Balakishiyeva (Senior policy officer at the Netherlands Embassy in Azerbaijan)