Photo Submitted by:Tracey Belizaire
Florida A&M University will host its third annual Energy Water Food Nexus International Summit next month.
The School of the Environment will be presenting the two-day conference Nov. 7-8 with a pre-summit event on Nov. 6 in the Lawson center.
EWFN is a new science enterprise that started at FAMU through a global public-private partnership that seeks to provide sustainable and innovative solutions for energy, water, and food security, according to the School of the Environment.
Elijah Johnson, a professor in the School of the Environment professor, urges FAMU students to get involved in the international event.
“I think students will get a lot out of it, particularly for those students who might be undergraduates who’ve never attended such a conference,” said Johnson. “It’s a unique opportunity for a student here at Florida A&M.”
Dean of the School of the Environment, Victor M. Ibeanusi, said the purpose behind the launch of EWFN and the benefits of the summit for students.
“We should be in the business of solving global issues such as food security and procuring sustainable energy,” said Ibeanusi. “It will train students to understand how to compile and analyze complex systems.”
The event will feature international guest speakers, panel sessions, workshops and more. Paul Holthis, the keynote speaker, is president and CEO of the World Ocean Council. Other speakers include Francois Tetero, head of water resources Management in Rwanda, and FAMU President Larry Robinson, who began his career at FAMU 21 years in the School of the Environment’s precursor, the Center of the Environment.
Although the summits are held every two years, participation remains high. Previous summits had more than 1,000 participants with a universal network of leaders, innovators, researchers, and professionals working in the energy-water and food sectors.
Sherif Gendy, who is working on a doctorate at FAMU, attended the last summit in Orlando and looks forward to interacting with international companies and professionals.
“This is my first summit here at FAMU so I’m looking forward to international interaction,” said Gendy.
Participants in this year’s summit will witness the launching of the inaugural issue of the International Journal of Energy Water Food Nexus.
“Florida A&M now has an international scientific journal here, so that’s unique,” said Johnson. “A number of universities have a journal but it’s only for their faculty and students but this journal is for everyone in the world.”
The conference will also address four thematic tracks: new science enterprise, accelerated innovation, science-based policy, and decision making and global access to safe water.
Registration for the summit is available on www.famu.edu/nexus.