Strengthening International Collaboration:
Finnish Experts Visit NUUz to Enhance Research on Climate, Water, Energy, and Food Security
The primary objective of this visit was to establish and strengthen cooperation between the institutions as part of a project funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project focuses on simulating climate, water, energy, and food scenarios in arid regions—a critical research area given the increasing environmental challenges faced by these regions.
Project Framework:
The visiting delegation’s main goal was to lay the groundwork for a collaborative research project with NUUz. This project aims to develop advanced models that simulate the interconnections between climate, water, energy, and food in arid regions. Such models are crucial for understanding how these factors influence each other and for creating strategies to manage resources sustainably.
Direct Monitoring of River Basins
During the visit, the Finnish experts and their Uzbek counterparts planned to conduct direct monitoring of local river basins in Uzbekistan. This hands-on approach is intended to gather real-world data that will inform the development of accurate and actionable models. Establishing strong local partnerships is also a key component of this initiative, ensuring that the research is relevant and grounded in local conditions.
Key Participants
The research group from the University of Oulu and the VTT Technical Research Center consisted of the following experts
Exploring Opportunities for Joint Research and Networking
- Meeting with tu-Nexus: A significant part of the visit included a meeting with tu-Nexus, a platform focused on the nexus of water, energy, and food. During this meeting, the scientific activities of NUUz related to the effective use of water resources for agricultural purposes were highlighted. Topics discussed included ensuring a reliable water supply for crops, introducing water-saving technologies in irrigation, and exploring potential avenues for joint research and networking between the institutions.
- Presentation of Research Projects: Faculty members, young researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students from NUUz had the opportunity to present their ongoing research projects. These presentations provided insights into the current research efforts at NUUz and opened the floor for discussions on potential collaborations with the Finnish researchers.
Future Prospects
The visit by the Finnish delegation marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between NUUz, the University of Oulu, and VTT. By combining the expertise of researchers from these institutions, the project aims to generate valuable insights into the complex interactions between climate, water, energy, and food in arid regions.