About the Prize:-
The Prince Sultan International Prize for Water was inaugurated by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz in 2002. Now, as the Prize receives nominations for its Fourth Award; it continues to be an inspiration for scientists, researchers, and inventors.
Expressing his intentions for the Prize, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz said "By honouring creative scientists, the Prize gives recognition to the contributions made to protect one of our most precious natural resources."
The Prize, judged by an internationally acclaimed panel of scientists, awards five branches. The Creativity Prize valued at SR 1,000,000 ($266,000) is awarded to a "breakthrough" in any water-related field. The remaining four Specialized Branch Prizes are valued at SR 500,000 ($133,000) each: (1) Surface Water, (2) Ground Water, (3) Alternative (Non-traditional) Water Resources, and (4) Water Resources Management and Protection.
The closing date for nominations to the Fourth Award is 31 January 2010. Interested parties should submit their nominations online before the deadline: http://www.psipw.org.
Applications are still open to participate in the 4th International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments (ICWRAE) that will take place concurrently with the awarding ceremony of the Prize in Riyadh between 5 and 8 December 2009. All applications must be submitted through http://www.icwrae-psipw.org.
About UNESCO-IHE:-
Professor Andras Szollosi-Nagy, recently appointed Rector of UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, is one in four international experts comprising the Prize Council of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water. Prior to his appointment in Delft, the Netherlands, Professor Szollosi-Nagy was Director of the Division of Water, Secretary of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Deputy Director-General of the Natural Sciences Sector of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, is the largest international postgraduate water education institute in the world and the only institution in the UN system authorised to confer accredited MSc degrees and promote PhDs. The mission of UNESCO-IHE is to contribute to the education and training of professionals and to build the capacity of sector organisations, knowledge centres and other institutions active in the fields of water, the environment and infrastructure, in developing countries and countries in transition. Since 1957, the Institute has provided postgraduate education to over 14,500 water professionals from 162 countries, the vast majority from the developing world. Currently over 80 candidates are registered PhD fellows, and numerous research and capacity building projects are carried out throughout the world.
About the Netherlands Water Partnership:-
Over 10 years already, the Netherlands Water Partnership has stimulated cooperation and synchronization of all parties that comprise the Dutch Water Sector. A united sector can achieve more in solving global water related challenges. Moreover by offering an integral solution using nation branding, the Dutch increase their position on the world water market. To be able to achieve these goals, NWP organizes and coordinates projects and events in the Netherlands, on an EU level and in the rest of the world.