Outreach Conference and Forum Services Presents —

OU International WaTER Conference

October 26-27, 2009
Norman, OK, USA

The Water Technologies for Emerging Regions Center at the University of Oklahoma will host the Inaugural OU International WaTER Conference and International Water Prize Award Ceremony on October 26-27, 2009 in Norman, Oklahoma.

Download Conference Schedule

The conference will bring together participants from multiple groups responding to the UN Millennium Development Goals focused on bringing water and sanitation to remote villages in developing countries. Water and sanitation experts from academia, industry, NGOs, government, and foundations are invited to participate. Participants from developing countries are especially encouraged to attend.

The two-day conference will include poster and paper sessions devoted to all technical and non-technical topics and sectors (technical, anthropological, sociological, cultural or legal aspect) relevant to water and sanitation in remote regions of developing countries. Optional workshops will be provided on October 28.

NEW! A post-conference workshop will be held one-half day on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 and will include hands-on instruction of water well drilling and sustainable pump technologies appropriate for emerging regions.  There is no registration fee for the post-conference workshop, but all participants must pre-register by September 30, 2009.  Seating may be limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Deadline: August 1, 2009

The OU WaTER Center is soliciting abstracts for papers and oral presentations for the OU International WaTER Conference to be held in Norman, Oklahoma on October 26-27, 2009. Papers dealing with any technical, anthropological, sociological, cultural or legal aspect of water and sanitation in developing countries are invited.

Interested participants should submit an abstract of no more than 500-words to the Conference Selection Committee by August 1, 2009.

The abstract should include a succinct but descriptive title of the proposed paper or poster, and name, affiliation, and contact information (including email) of the authors. The abstract should identify the topic of the proposed paper or poster and should include a brief description of the actual project or innovation. The abstract should also discuss the significant results of the efforts and conclusions or recommendations drawn from the study. 

The Conference Selection Committee will review the abstracts and authors will be informed of acceptance by August 25, 2009. Suggested topical areas include the following:

Download Abstract Form.

Keynote Lectures...

The highlight of the conference will be a plenary lecture by and presentation of the first OU International WaTER Prize to Dr. Steve Luby. 

Dr. Luby has worked for the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh since 2004. He is head of the Program on Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Sciences and also functions as the head of the Agency for the Centers for Disease Control in Bangladesh.

In addition, keynote lectures will be given by:

• Dr. Jamie Bartram, WHO-Geneva
• Dr. George Greene, Water Missions Intl.
• Dr. Rob Quick, CDC
• Dr. Steve Silliman, University of Notre Dame

Award Recipient

Dr. Steve Luby has worked for the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh since 2004. He is head of the Program on Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Sciences and also functions as the head of the Agency for the Centers for Disease Control in Bangladesh. He earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Creighton University in 1981 and a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas in 1986.

Luby completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester-Strong Memorial Hospital. He studied epidemiology and public health in the Epidemic Intelligence Service and the Preventive Medicine Residency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Luby has authored over 120 scientific articles, the majority concerning communicable disease epidemiology in low-income countries.

Conference Location

The Inaugural OU International WaTER Conference and International Water Prize Award Ceremony will be held October 26-27, 2009 at the Thurman J. White Forum Building on the OU campus in Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.A. The Forum is located at the College of Continuing Education at 1704 Asp Ave (between Timberdell & 4th).

Transportation from Will Rogers World Airport to Hotel
The workshop hotels are located in Norman, OK and are approximately 21 miles south of Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.  Airport Express shuttles are available in the front of the lower level baggage claim area in the transportation plaza at the Airport.  Vans leave every eight minutes.  Fees to Norman area hotels are: single passenger $38.00 ea., 2 passengers $20.00 ea., and 3 or more passengers $14.00 ea.  For reservations call toll-free (877) 688-3311 or visit their website, www.taxivan.com.

For more information contact Debbie Corley, Conference Service Coordinator, at (405) 325-SERV (7378) or send an email to dcorley@ou.edu.

Book Your Hotel

Conference Hotel Rates:

Best Western is $59.95 per night + 12% tax. Visit hotel site for more information. Hotel is approximately 3 miles from hotel to conference center. For questions or more information contact Sheryl at Best Western via email: sherylshetley@msn.com or 37114@hotel.bestwestern.com.

Sooner Legend’s Inn & Suites is $79.00 per night +12% tax. Visit the hotel for more information. Hotel is approximately 2.23 miles from hotel to conference center.

NOTE: Transportation will be provided from hotels to conference center and back.

Advance Registration Ends Sept. 30

Conference registration is $190, which includes entrance to all poster and paper sessions, plenary lectures, two continental breakfasts, four breaks, two lunches, a social, and one dinner banquet that are part of the conference agenda. Participants from developing countries are especially encouraged to attend; a limited number of travel assistance scholarships will be available for international participants. Late registration (after September 30) is $290. Click here to Register Online for this special event!

Download registration form.

Download Conference Schedule
(A PDF file will open in a new browser window.)

Contact us for more information...

For more information contact Debbie Corley, Conference Service Coordinator, at (405) 325-SERV (7378) or send an email to dcorley@ou.edu.