A high-level scientific conference on plant engineering and rainwater harvesting convened at the University of Burundi's Mutanga campus, assessing ten years of collaboration between the University of Burundi (UB) and the University of Florence. The event, which took place on Thursday, May 28, 2026, focused on climate resilience efforts developed through this partnership, with this report published as of June 1, 2026. It brought together experts to evaluate the progress and impact of joint initiatives aimed at sustainable environmental practices. This significant conference served as a key platform for reviewing the extensive work undertaken by both institutions, noting the long-term commitment to addressing environmental challenges in Burundi through innovative scientific and practical approaches.
Partnership Milestones and Achievements
The cooperation between the University of Burundi (UB) and the University of Florence formally began in 2021, marking the start of a productive partnership that has since grown substantially. Professor Séverin Nijimbere serves as the focal point for the University of Burundi in implementing this partnership, playing a key role in coordinating and driving the joint initiatives. Under his guidance, UB's capacities have been significantly strengthened through participation in the installation of three plant engineering 'chantiers-écoles' (school-workshops) and two rainwater harvesting 'chantiers-écoles'. These practical training sites have been instrumental in transferring knowledge and skills to local communities and students. Professor Nijimbere also noted the production of numerous scientific works focusing on critical environmental issues such as natural risks, watershed management, rainwater harvesting, plant engineering, and progressive and radical earthwork techniques. These publications contribute valuable research to the fields of climate resilience and sustainable land management.
The Italian side, represented by the University of Florence, provided substantial support, particularly for PhD supervision and joint high-level scientific publications. Professor Nijimbere expressed his profound satisfaction with the Italian support in supervising doctorates, which has been key for developing local expertise, and in jointly drafting high-level scientific publications, enhancing the global reach and impact of their research. He also noted that the joint implementation of the 'chantiers-écoles' and the facilitation of capacity-building workshops on conservative water and soil management significantly increased the University of Burundi's visibility in its community service mission. This expanded visibility shows the tangible benefits of the partnership for both academic advancement and practical community engagement.
Professor Federico Preti, from the University of Florence, stated that the conference marked ten years of joint efforts between the two universities, despite the formal cooperation agreement beginning in 2021, reflecting a decade of shared vision and foundational work leading up to the official partnership. Preti detailed the concrete interventions carried out on the ground to combat erosion and stabilize soils. Specifically, he noted the installation of five demonstration sites: three dedicated to plant engineering and two to rainwater harvesting. These key demonstration sites are strategically located in Isare and Buhinyuza, providing practical examples and training grounds for effective land management techniques. Future collaboration plans outlined by Professor Preti include continued joint PhD supervision, which remains a cornerstone of capacity building, strengthening training for plant engineering and agriculture experts through advanced workshops and courses, and developing joint research and development projects. These ambitious projects will specifically focus on mitigating the effects of climate change, such as increased erosion and water scarcity, and enhancing community resilience to environmental shocks, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Project Framework and Funding
The Project for Resilience to Climate Risks and Integrated Management of Landscapes in Burundi (PRRPB) provides the overarching financing framework for these vital initiatives. The PRRPB is financed by the World Bank, showing the international commitment to supporting Burundi's environmental sustainability efforts. This substantial funding supports the broader efforts in climate resilience and sustainable land management, enabling the implementation of large-scale projects and academic collaborations. Its implementation falls under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock, which plays a critical role in overseeing the project's execution across various environmental and agricultural sectors. This structure ensures that the academic collaboration between the University of Burundi and the University of Florence is well-integrated into a national strategy for addressing climate change impacts and promoting sustainable practices throughout Burundi, aligning research with national development goals.
Expert Reflections and Future Outlook
The conference, held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, was organized within the framework of the Burundi Landscape Restoration and Resilience Project (PRRPB), further emphasizing the strong alignment between academic research and national development priorities. Professor Federico Preti, from the University of Florence, detailed the interventions carried out on the ground to combat erosion and stabilize soils. "He detailed the interventions carried out on the ground to combat erosion and stabilize soils, notably the installation of five demonstration sites – three dedicated to plant engineering and two to rainwater harvesting – in the localities of Isare and Buhinyuza," Preti stated, emphasizing the practical impact of their work. These sites serve as living laboratories and training centers, demonstrating effective methods for land restoration.
Scientific works have been produced covering natural risks, watershed management, rainwater harvesting, plant engineering, and progressive and radical terracing techniques, according to conference discussions. These publications disseminate vital knowledge and best practices to a wider audience. Professor Preti also outlined future collaboration plans between the two universities, envisioning a continued expansion of their joint efforts. "The two institutions plan, in particular, to continue co-supervising PhDs, strengthen the training of experts in plant engineering and agriculture, and jointly develop research and development projects focused on mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening community resilience," he added. This forward-looking agenda notes a sustained commitment to advancing scientific understanding and practical solutions for environmental challenges in Burundi.
