2iE and UI GreenMetric Webinar Advances Regional Water Conservation through Academic Synergy
On March 25, 2026, the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) hosted a high-level webinar via Zoom focused on accelerating progress toward sustainability in the water and sanitation sector across Africa. The event was conducted in French and focused on a series of in-depth presentations by 2iE members and their academic partners on the critical role of African universities in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). These presentations highlighted the importance of innovation and institutional commitment in addressing regional environmental challenges. For context, 2iE has ranked 5th in Africa in the 2025 UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings.
The delegation from the 2iE Institute and its partners featured prominent academic leaders who shared insights into their institutional strategies. Key presenters included Prof. El Hadji Bamba DIAW - Director General of the 2iE institute, Prof. Harouna KARAMBIRI - Director of Cooperation, Entrepreneurship, and Continuing Education (DCEFC), and Prof. Bocco Bertrand SOGBOSSI - Rector, University of Parakou, Benin. They were joined by experts such as Prof. Yacouba Konate, Dr. Mathieu AVOUTOU, Mr. Hamidou P. SAVADOGO, Dr. (MC) KOUAKOU Koffi Eugène, Dr. (MC) Briton BI Gousse Henri, and Facia Giraude F. ADEOSSI, who showcased specific contributions from their respective laboratories and research centers.
A significant portion of the 2iE presentations focused on the signing of new scientific cooperation agreements between partner universities. Such cooperation is intended to foster the development of a shared knowledge base, enabling educational institutions to jointly address complex challenges related to water scarcity and sanitation. By formally establishing these partnerships, 2iE members aim to ensure the effective dissemination of scientific achievements and technical expertise across the region’s network of higher education institutions. The presentations also emphasized the integration of entrepreneurial initiatives into the university ecosystem. By fostering a culture of innovation, 2iE and its partners provide students and researchers with the opportunity to develop scalable solutions for water conservation. This approach ensures that academic research is not only theoretically sound but also translates into practical, community-oriented applications that address the continent’s pressing environmental needs.
In support of these regional efforts, UI GreenMetric provided a presentation on its methodology for measuring and improving sustainability performance. Dr. Vishnu Juwono, S.E., M.I.A. (Chairperson) opened the session, followed by an extensive presentation from Dr. Abellia Anggi Wardani, S.Hum. M.A. (Vice-Chairperson), who detailed the UI GreenMetric initiatives and how this global framework can be utilized to track progress in water management. This synergy between 2iE’s regional expertise and UI GreenMetric’s global standards underscores a comprehensive commitment to securing a sustainable water future through long-term strategic partnerships.
Written by Muhammad Dito Rizki Suprapto - Media Relations Intern of UI GreenMetric
Edited by Anin Kumala - Social Media Officer of UI GreenMetric
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