NEWS
UOB’s Third Water Desalination Symposium Experts Address Sustainability and Current Trends in Desalination
Several academics and experts at the University of Bahrain discussed prominent practices and modern trends in the Kingdom’s water desalination sector. Participants in the “Water Desalination Symposium – Recent Trends and Practices,” in its third edition, examined the key challenges of operational efficiency, environmental considerations, and innovative solutions to achieve sustainability in this vital sector.
The Symposium’s proceedings were inaugurated by Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Shaikha Haifa Ebrahim Alkhalifa, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the university’s campus.
The seminar witnessed the participation of a select group of experts and engineers from leading national and industrial institutions. Presentations included:
Dr. Khalid Burashid, EX- Vice Chief Executive for Planning and Projects at Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), presented a paper titled: “Investigation into Flash Chambers Corrosion Problems and Remnant Life Extension of MSF Desalination Plants: A Case Study of Sitra Desalination Units, Bahrain.”
Engineer Chirag Panchal, Utilities & Support Services Operations Engineer at Bapco Refining, presented a paper on “Performance Challenges in Thermal Desalination Units.”
Dr. Ajaz Rashid, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at UOB, discussed: “Eco-Friendly Desalination: The Promise of Natural Vacuum Distillation.”
Engineer Jasim Mohammed, a Chemical Engineer at Hidd Power Company (HPC), presented a paper titled “Desalination Technology and Challenges.” Engineer Aysha Khalid, an Environmental Engineer at the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), presented a paper on “Navigating the Environmental Landscape of Desalination in Bahrain.”
Dr. Ali Fardan, Head of Environmental Sustainability and Governance at Alba, examined “Smart Energy Optimization in Reverse Osmosis Through Stages and Wastewater Blinding.”
The symposium was attended by a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students from the College of Engineering, in addition to a group of practitioners and specialists from government and private entities in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
