We could only survive for a few days without water. We rely on water in all kinds of areas, such as in industry and agriculture, not to mention in our everyday lives. Climate change is having an increasingly serious impact on our water supply, however. Numerous researchers in Germany are developing solutions to this worldwide problem. In this edition we present a number of exciting ideas and projects. You can also read what brings a young woman studying for a master’s degree in Algeria to Germany time and time again, learn about current funding programmes, discover our number of the month and find out why we laugh.
IN FOCUS: Water – the most precious commodity
Water research – alliances to preserve the “elixir of life”
Serious flooding in America and Asia, disastrous droughts in Africa: numerous people around the world are suffering from the consequences of climate change. It is becoming increasingly difficult to supply people with clean water. Researchers all over Germany are exploring how to improve the way water is supplied in future.
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What consequences will climate change have for Europe?
Drought in Germany may sound a little far-fetched at first, but in future some countries in Central Europe could genuinely find themselves hit by prolonged dry spells. Researchers are preparing policy-makers and administrators for such a scenario.
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Water sciences on two continents
The Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (incl. Climate Change) (PAUWES) in Algeria offers master’s degree courses, and in future will also run PhD programmes. Students there also have the opportunity to spend a period of time studying in Germany. We talked to one master’s student about this unconventional model.
MoreJUST ASKING...
Professor Stollmann, why do we laugh?
People often say that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter releases “happy hormones” and reduces stress. It can even help alleviate pain. An emeritus professor at the University of Bremen, cultural theory expert and laughter researcher Rainer Stollmann explains why in fact we do laugh and what purpose this serves in evolutionary terms.
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301,350 interantional students
Taking a degree in Germany – be it a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD – is popular: in 2014, one in nine students came from abroad. That is a new record.
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