Iwasaki will carry out these efforts alongside local researchers, gov-ernment officials, farmers, and students. She is especially eager to involve a motivated younger generation.“Students and young researchers from The National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) and New Valley University will help conduct trials at farms and villages managed by their families. In Egypt, many young people work in agricul-ture, so I am looking forward to finding curious and enthusiastic partners to join our project.”Iwasaki is also excited about conducting joint research with experts in the natural science fields of hydrology and agriculture.“I’ve rarely had the chance to engage with natural scientists, and of course they possess far greater expertise that I do in groundwater structures and the mechanisms of soil salinization. By bringing my expertise in Egyptian socioeconomics to the table, I can incorpo-rate the perspective of local residents. It is precisely this integra-tion of the natural and social sciences that enables us to create an innovative framework for water management.Collaborative Learning, Not “Aid”ResearchIwasaki avoids the term “aid,” rejecting any hierarchical distinction between developed and developing countries.“To be honest,” she says, “I’m not sure if new science and technol-ogy truly benefit local communities. Some think things are fine as they are – we have water now and it doesn’t matter if it runs out in the future. I listen to their concerns and visions, then propose tech-nologies that genuinely meet their needs. That’s what our small-scale model embodies. Imposing technologies on a community often disconnects them from local culture and lifestyle. My expe-rience in Egyptian social research should help prevent this, provid-ing a comprehensive understanding of Egypt and its oasis society.”After fifteen years of studying Egypt’s oasis regions, Iwasaki says she truly appreciates the fascinating aspects of desert agriculture. “Japan may have abundant water, but its weather is often unpre-dictable and extreme. In contrast, the oases of the Western Desert enjoy stable sunshine year-round. With only water and people, ag-riculture can thrive – this region is essentially a living laboratory for water, people, and farming. Insights gained here could be ap-plied to many other regions around the world.”Iwasaki’s research in Egypt was often stalled by social upheav-als such as the Arab Spring and the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, research in Egypt’s Western Desert presents diffi-culties even for local researchers.“Being selected by SATREPS should make it easier for us to access the region,” says Iwasaki. “I believe support from the Center for Research Promotion and Support of Sophia University was crucial to our project being chosen. Thanks to the university’s backing, we were able to overcome many challenges before the project started, and are also able to address those that remain today. Our research has only just begun, but we hope to use the insights gained in the field to advance the global goal of sustainable water use.”Sophia project members with farmers at Kharga Oasis18 SOPHIA MAGAZINE Vol. 20Professor, Department of French StudiesVisit the project’s website SOS-WAHA for daily updates on project progress and on-site developments.ERINA IWASAKI
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