The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, is partnering with the Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics through the Physics without Frontiers Programme to conduct a week-long intensive workshop on Solute Transport in Porous Media from February 12 to 17th, 2024, 8 AM to 6 PM daily.

This workshop aims to address the intricate challenges related to soil and groundwater contamination, with a specific focus on the nuanced complexities arising from the improper use of agrochemicals in Nigeria. It seeks to bring attention to the apparent lack of awareness among farmers and stakeholders, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and scientific approach to understand and investigate environmental and health threats.

Building on the success of the inaugural workshop in 2022, this event serves as a platform designed to bridge existing gaps in understanding water and solute transport in porous media. It covers advanced theoretical insights into the physics of water and solute transport in soil, both under saturated and unsaturated conditions, complemented by modeling complex environmental processes using Hydrus 1D.

Going beyond traditional learning, the workshop program offers participants not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on skills, including an introduction to coding in MATLAB and how to design simple transport experiments. This initiative aims to empower the participants with a profound understanding, crucial for evidence-based decision-making, with impacts extending beyond academic circles into broader societal landscapes.

The workshop endeavors to transform awareness into actionable knowledge, equipping participants with the capabilities to make informed contributions in mitigating environmental contamination.

Applications are invited from physics, soil science, and environmental science students in Nigeria, starting from their 3rd year onwards. Additionally, graduate students and faculty members seeking to refresh their understanding with the latest information on the topic are warmly welcomed to participate. Application form for eligible students is here: tinyurl.com/SoluteTransport

Equal Opportunity Affirmation: All qualified applicants will be considered for registration without regard to sex, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic. People with disability and women are highly encouraged to apply.

Facilitators
1. Dr Felix A. Ogunmokun (Lead facilitator), University of California Davis, USA
2. Prof. Gabriel O. Adesina (Local Coordinator), LAUTECH, Nigeria
3. Prof. Esther A. Ewetola (Facilitator), LAUTECH, Nigeria
4. Dr Mojoyinola K. Awodele (Facilitator), LAUTECH, Nigeria
5. Prof. Samuel A. Babarinde (Host), LAUTECH, Nigeria