eNews
#02 2026
IAHS Academy 2026: International Collaboration and Training in Hydrological Sciences
By Tasmiyah Peerbhai, a PhD candidate affiliated with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
#02 2026
By Tasmiyah Peerbhai, a PhD candidate affiliated with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
Tasmiyah Peerbhai, a PhD candidate affiliated with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), was among six early-career scientists to receive the Sivapalan Young Scientists Travel Award (SYSTA). The award enabled her to attend the inaugural International Association of Hydrological Sciences Academy, held in January 2026 in Ningbo, China.
Tasmiyah Peerbhai, a PhD candidate affiliated with the South African Environmental Observation Network, at the IAHS Academy in Ningbo, China.
The IAHS Academy brought together leading experts with early-career researchers in hydrology for an intensive programme of lectures and workshops covering advanced hydrological monitoring and modelling, groundwater systems, and emerging data-driven approaches in hydrology. Participants had the opportunity to engage with internationally recognised hydrologists, including Professors Salvatore Grimaldi, Fernando Nardi, and Fuqiang Tian.
Tasmiyah took part in a specialised course led by Professor Tian, which closely aligned with her doctoral research. Her PhD focuses on comparing hydrological modelling and deep learning approaches for streamflow estimation in data-scarce environments. The course included hands-on sessions that allowed participants to engage directly with modelling tools and approaches used in streamflow simulation and catchment hydrology, including HydroCraft (a web-based modelling platform), the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning models.
The Academy concluded with participant presentations, where attendees applied the knowledge gained during the week to develop and present integrated modelling case studies. All participants were awarded certificates in recognition of their successful completion of the programme.
Beyond the academic programme, the experience of visiting Ningbo added a valuable cultural dimension. The city’s blend of modern development and rich heritage made the experience both enriching and memorable.
The IAHS Academy is expected to be held again in 2027 at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Ningbo, featuring a new range of topics. Early-career scientists are encouraged to apply.
An international cohort of early-career hydrologists at the IAHS Academy, awarded certificates in recognition of their efforts to present an integrated modelling framework.
Recipients of the Sivapalan Young Scientists Travel Award (SYSTA) at the IAHS Academy, Ningbo, China, pictured with (left to right) Fernando Nardi, Salvatore Grimaldi and Fuqiang Tian.