| The field of Water Science and Engineering comprises a collection of sciences and techniques related to water resource management, on-farm water distribution, water conveyance, water storage, conservation and enhancement of water and soil quality, determination of crop water requirements, and management of atmospheric precipitation. As sustainable agriculture is unattainable without water, this discipline is regarded as one of the most crucial, fundamental, and foundational fields within agricultural engineering. In essence, specialists in Water Science and Engineering engineer the application of water in the agricultural sector, an endeavor of critical importance given the global water crisis. This is particularly significant in Iran, where over 90 percent of water consumption occurs in the agricultural sector. Water Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary technical-agricultural field that trains specialists for various sectors of the water industry. Through instruction in surveying techniques, design of hydraulic structures, design of irrigation and drainage systems, and water quality analysis, the program prepares graduates for roles in dam construction, design of water conveyance structures, design of on-farm water distribution systems, design of farm drainage systems, and quality analysis of water and wastewater. The Irrigation and Drainage specialization, a principal field of study within the PhD program of Water Science and Engineering, primarily focuses on the application of water within irrigation and drainage networks. Employing modern scientific methods, this specialization provides solutions for increasing irrigation efficiency, enhancing water productivity, conserving water and soil resources, improving the quality of agricultural products, and utilizing unconventional water sources in agriculture. Furthermore, the Irrigation and Drainage specialization is closely interconnected with other agricultural and natural resource disciplines. It addresses diverse scientific topics such as cropping patterns adapted to water quantity and quality, the application of treated wastewater in urban green spaces, and strategies for environmental preservation using aquatic plants. The Department of Water Engineering at the University of Kurdistan was established in October 2006, admitting an initial cohort of 40 undergraduate students. In 2007, with authorization from the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, the department launched a Master of Science program in Irrigation and Drainage. Continuing its trajectory of development and leveraging the academic achievements of its faculty and alumni, the Department of Water Science and Engineering introduced Master's programs in Hydroinformatics and Water Resources Engineering in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The consistent annual success of a significant number of graduates in securing admission to postgraduate programs, including numerous single-digit and double-digit rankings (such as 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 12th) in the national Master's entrance examination, attests to the relentless and sustained efforts of the faculty and students over the department's approximately 16-year history. For instance, in 2012, 23 of the department's graduates were admitted to Master's programs at leading public universities, including the University of Tehran, Tarbiat Modares University, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, and the University of Tabriz. Since its inception, the department has graduated 12 undergraduate and 10 Master's cohorts. Currently, the Department of Water Science and Engineering has eight full-time faculty members, consisting of one Professor, four Associate Professors, and three Assistant Professors. With the establishment of the Water Research Center in 2012, the department has played a significant role in the improved management of water resources in the Kurdistan province. |
