dr.ir. KNM (Karrar) Mahdi

Researcher and lecturer in land and water conservation, with an interest in providing nature-based solutions to address soil and water challenges in arid and semi-arid regions, such as drought, erosion, soil degradation, and pollution transport. I'm also passionate about building resilience in agricultural systems and supporting smallholder farmers in war-affected zones.

Besides my research, I managed numerous projects at various scales, primarily targeting civil engineering, rainwater harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land management spcially in the MENA. These projects aimed to enhance resilience in water availability by promoting innovative practices at the farm level and strengthening higher education and research capacities in these regions.

At Wageningen University & Research (WUR), I lecture in the International Land & Water Management program, specifically coordinating and teaching the course "Land & Water Engineering" (SLM20306) and coaching students in "Design in Land and Water Management 2" (WRM21312). I also supervise BSc and MSc students interested in climate-smart agriculture and rainwater harvesting in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in the MENA region.

In terms of capacity building, I specialize in designing and delivering tailored training programs that address the specific needs and experience levels of participants. My work focuses on empowering local communities and institutions with the knowledge and tools needed to implement sustainable land and water management practices.