The AquaSumer team from the Electrical Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, University of Basrah, won first place in the Middle East and North Africa in the Green Innovation and Sustainability Program (GreenX MENA) for their innovative project addressing one of the most prominent agricultural challenges in Iraq and the region. The AquaSumer project aims to develop a smart system for treating and improving the quality of agricultural irrigation water using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and sensors to measure water quality indicators such as salinity (TDS), turbidity, and pH. The system then analyzes these indicators and selects the optimal treatment method through an integrated electronic control system. This contributes to supporting the agricultural sector in areas suffering from high salinity and water pollution, leading to soil protection, increased crop productivity, and reduced operating costs for farmers. This achievement comes as part of the College of Engineering's efforts to utilize engineering disciplines, artificial intelligence, and modern control technologies to create practical and sustainable solutions that serve Iraqi society and support the transition towards smart agriculture and environmental sustainability. The project also reflects the high level of scientific and technical awareness among the college's students and their ability to provide innovative solutions applicable to local and regional markets. The team included engineers Mahmoud Jassim Jawad, Ali Nadhim Waheed, and Hashim Murtadha Taher, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Ammar Abdulshaheed Abdulhameed, a faculty member in the Electrical Engineering Department. It is also worth noting that this event was organized by the Arab Youth Green Voices Network (AYGVN) and Green Gate 4 MENA Youth, with support from the Heinrich Böll Foundation – from Tunisia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands – and featured more than 250 projects from over 20 Arab, Asian, and African countries. On this occasion, the Department of Electrical Engineering extends its sincerest congratulations to its dear graduates on this outstanding achievement, wishing them further success and brilliance in their scientific and research career, which will enhance the position of the University of Basra and its leadership in the fields of innovation, technology and environmental sustainability.
