Overview 

We are excited to announce the Hohai University Special Award for the 7th IAHR Africa Congress 2026 edition. Modeled similarly to the John F Kennedy Student Paper Competition for the IAHR World Congress, this award will recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions during the event to the field of hydro-environmental research and engineering.

The Hohai University IAHR Africa Congress Student Paper Competition recognises conference papers from undergraduate and postgraduate students on the basis of written and oral presentations at the IAHR Africa Congress.

"We are honored to recognize and support talented students whose work focuses on addressing Africa’s water-related challenges, including water security, water scarcity, and the impact of climate change."

Prof. Jinhai Zheng, Hohai University  

 Rules for the administration of the award 

Who can be a candidate?

The Competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students who, at the time their conference paper submission is made, are actively pursuing an academic degree in the general area of hydraulics and water resources. The conference paper submission shall be accompanied by an official statement from the research advisor confirming the status of the student.

How to apply?

Student must :

• Register and submit a full paper at the IAHR Africa Congress.

• Send an email to the congress organizers with email subject (Hohai-Africa award) and should indicate their full name and affiliation, paper ID, date of submission.

• Submit in their email an official statement from the research advisor confirming the status of the student.

Screening and selection procedure

The IAHR Technical Committee on Education and Professional Development will have responsibility to organise and conduct the Competition under the supervision of the Africa Division.

The Competition must include an initial screening of student papers submitted for consideration, and a selection of papers to be presented at the Africa Congress and published as part of the proceedings (if any). The Technical Committees should be involved during this first screening of the received papers with the aim to provide expert revisions. Papers accepted for the Competition must be formally presented by the corresponding author at the Hohai-Africa Student Paper Competition special session, to be held during the IAHR Africa Congress. The papers will be judged, on both the written and oral presentations, by an international panel of experts convened by the IAHR Technical Committee on Education and Professional Development.

When and where will the award recipient be announced?

The Hohai-Africa Student Paper Competition will be announced during the Congress dinner or closing ceremony.

What does the award consist of?

The winner of the Competition will be awarded a cash prize from the Hohai University Award Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Fund). The cash prize, along with a commemorative plaque provided by the IAHR Secretariat, will be awarded to the winner at the Africa Congress closing ceremony. The two runners-up of the Competition will also be announced and awarded.

The local organising committee may offer additional cash prizes and certificates to runners up from its own resources.

The IAHR Secretariat will provide certificates of participation to all shortlisted participants.

 Related

Save the date for the 7th IAHR Africa Division Congress
IAHR Africa Regional Division