Bringing together 18 individuals with diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to environmental resilience in marine ecosystems and built environment, the preparatory phase commenced online on October 6th, 2024, offering participants an introduction to GIS tools and advanced data analysis techniques essential for the subsequent on-site phase. These initial sessions were designed to build foundational knowledge and skills, allowing participants to familiarise themselves with GIS mapping software and methodologies pertinent to climate and environmental resilience.

The on-site programme launched on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, beginning with participant registration and an opening session. This session recapped insights gained during the online preparatory meetings and allowed participants to continue building a comprehensive base map crucial for upcoming fieldwork. Practical GIS training sessions included modules on mapping climate vulnerabilities and spatial analysis. Participants applied these techniques by integrating collected data into a unified map, enabling real-time data sharing and updates. The day concluded with collaborative group work, fostering teamwork, and reinforcing practical applications of GIS for environmental monitoring.

On Sunday, October 27^th, the day commenced with a welcome address by Dr Maged Zagow, Director of the Architectural Design Programme at Galala University, followed by opening remarks from Prof. Affaf Aloufy, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering at Galala University and Prof. Dr Yasser Mahgoub, Director of the Sustainability & Environment Development Unit at Galala University. They highlighted the interdisciplinary significance of sustainability initiatives, emphasising the synergy between different academic fields. Following these introductions, Dr Zagow led a session on climate modeling and machine learning applications, imparting advanced knowledge on predictive techniques for environmental resilience. Afterwards, participants presented their initial research ideas in small working groups and received feedback from Prof. Dr. Maged Zagow (Galala University), Dr.-Ing. Mohamed ElGamal and Mohammed Alfiky (University of Kassel). The day concluded with an educational tour of Galala City, where participants observed local environmental contexts, before concluding with group discussions to integrate the day’s insights into their ongoing projects.

Building on the discussions and engaging activities of the opening day, the winter school’s agenda on Monday, October 28^th, 2024, featured an intensive workshop on climate change risks impacting ecosystems, biodiversity and built. environment, with a particular focus on the Red Sea region and Attaka area in particular. Participants presented literature reviews on GIS methodologies for ecosystem mapping, sharing diverse approaches and technical perspectives. An afternoon field study visit facilitated data collection directly from the region’s unique ecosystems. This hands-on activity was followed by a practical GIS session, where participants updated their maps to reflect new field data, concluding with a group work period to refine and integrate findings.

On Tuesday, October 29^th, 2024, a workshop on rainfall patterns and flood management, utilising GIS for risk assessment, took center stage. This session explored innovative methodologies to mitigate flood risks in vulnerable coastal regions. Participants showcased literature reviews on flood risk GIS techniques, presenting case studies and discussing best practices. The afternoon field visit concentrated on data collection regarding rainfall and flood risk factors, and later, this data was incorporated into updated GIS maps. The day’s programme ended with collaborative group work, allowing participants to synthesize insights and refine their projects accordingly.

The programme continued on Wednesday, October 30^th, 2024 with a focused session on developing clear and effective presentations to communicate research findings. Participants were guided in creating concise slides covering essential topics—such as thematic focus, case study, research questions, objectives, and methodology ensuring a smooth, one-minute per-slide presentation flow. Dr Ing. Mohamed Elgamal provided critical advice on using visuals to enhance presentation clarity and encouraged participants to target high-impact Q1 or Q2 journals in environmental science and sustainability for future publication. Each presentation was structured to conclude with a research timeline, outlining publication milestones, additional research opportunities, and potential funding sources. This approach equipped participants to present their projects professionally, preparing them for expert feedback in subsequent sessions.

In the afternoon, participants visited the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great, one of Egypt’s most ancient Christian monasteries. This site provided a historical example of climate-resilient architecture, showcasing thick stone walls and a fortress-like design intended to regulate temperature and withstand extreme desert conditions. A monk guided participants through the monastery, explaining its sustainable building techniques and resource-efficient design, which historically enabled self-sufficiency. This immersive experience inspired participants, offering insights into sustainable architecture that they could adapt to their climate resilience projects. The day concluded with a group discussion and research, allowing participants to apply their learnings and refine their projects.

Thursday, October 31^st, 2024, marked the closing ceremony, beginning with remarks from Dr Maged Zagow, who acknowledged the participants’ contributions and celebrated the event’s collaborative spirit. He presented an overview of Galala University’s commitment to sustainability and highlighted Egypt’s government efforts in addressing climate change over recent years.

Dr.-Ing. Mohamed ElGamal from the University of Kassel expressed pride in the institutional partnership with Galala University, acknowledging the growing collaboration with other Egyptian institutions such as the Suez Canal, Alexandria and Ain Shams universities. He encouraged participants to engage in the final presentations, reinforcing the value of academic exchange and cooperation.

Prof. Affaf Aloufy, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering, expressed gratitude to Prof. Mohamed Elshinawi and other leaders of Galala University, stating, “I believe all our efforts this week will yield fruitful results.” She emphasised the memorandum of understanding (MOU) MOU with the University of Kassel as a milestone for advancing academic cooperation.

Dr Carsten Walbiner, Director of the DAAD Office in Cairo, commenced the workshop’s collaborative achievements, expressing hope that the partnerships forged would lead to actionable projects. He highlighted the diversity of topics covered, noting, “Multidisciplinary approaches are crucial, especially in tackling phenomena like ecosystem changes.” He encouraged participants to utilize upcoming DAAD funding opportunities, hoping to see impactful projects emerge from this winter school.

Lorena Mohr, Head of Science and Protocol at the German Embassy in Cairo, expressed enthusiasm for the winter school’s accomplishments, marking her first visit to Galala University. She reiterated the embassy’s commitment to scientific exchange, stating, “For us as an embassy and from the German government, scientific exchange really is a priority, especially in Egypt.” Emphasising the global urgency of climate change, she expressed optimism about the participants’ dedication to environmental resilience. In closing, she extended gratitude to the organizers and participants, emphasizing, “Every step is an important one in addressing climate change.”

Dr Bahaa Elboshy, Associate Professor in the Architectural Engineering Department at Tanta University, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the workshop, describing it as a “very interesting experience.” With a background in architecture and planning, he emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, stating, “While we may not stop climate change, we can adapt to its effects.”

Prof. Ahmed Elnewishy discussed the significant environmental impact of the university’s growing population and encouraged students to observe and engage with their surroundings. He highlighted local biodiversity and the potential benefits of various green species, including their antimicrobial properties. Prof. Elnewishy also mentioned ongoing projects, such as creating an atlas of the Galala region and collaborating on the extraction of beneficial oils from local plants, emphasising the necessity of interdisciplinary cooperation in tackling environmental challenges.

The event then transitioned to participant presentations, showcasing research projects developed during the winter school. The first group presentation, entitled “Studying the Impact of Climate Change on the Nubian Ibex”, highlighted the team’s goal to identify suitable habitats for this vulnerable species along the Red Sea coast. The research utilised species occurrence data and climatic/topographic information to model habitat suitability using maximum entropy modeling. Initial findings indicated a strong preference for mountainous regions, and the team aims to enhance the model’s accuracy by reducing sampling bias and incorporating additional habitat factors. Future plans include addressing anthropogenic impacts and developing effective conservation strategies for the Nubian Ibex.

The second group presentation, entitled “Rainwater Harvesting for Environmental and Climate Resilience in Halayeb Shalateen”, Egypt, addressed the critical issue of water scarcity in southeastern Egypt, projected to drop below 1,000 cubic meters per capita. The presentation outlined the region’s historical neglect and its vulnerability to climate change, leading to extreme weather conditions that threaten livelihoods. The research methodology involved GIS and water modeling to assess local water resources and soil classification, aiming to enhance water security through rainwater harvesting.

The third group presentation, entitled “Climate Resilient Urban Communities: An Optimised Solution for Suez Governorate”, Egypt, examined the unique geographical features of the Suez region, including the Suez Canal and Mount Sinai, alongside challenges such as floods and landslides. The research focused on identifying optimal locations for new urban communities while considering the impact of natural hazards and topography on urban planning.

The fourth group presentation, entitled “Mapping Local Climate Zones of Galala City: Implications for Urban Planning and Climate Resilience”, examined local climate zoning (LCZ) to enhance climate resilience in Galala City. The research focused on classifying urban areas based on landscape features to address urban heating, water scarcity, and public health in desert climates. By utilising GIS mapping, online data, and field surveys, the group aims to create layered maps for sustainable urban planning.

The fifth group presentation, entitled “Flood Resilience in Coastal Mountainous Urban Agglomerations: Spatial Resilience Assessment in Attaka”, explored flood risks in urbanizing areas like Galala City and Porto Sokhna. The study underscored how urban growth heightens flooding vulnerability, affecting lives and tourism in the Red Sea region. By mapping flood-prone zones and assessing resilience with digital elevation models, the group aims to address a gap in urban assessments. Their three-month research timeline includes data collection and analysis, with plans for publication in journals like Sustainability and a proposed three-stage approach for hazard assessment and sustainable planning.

The closing ceremony of the winter school featured an exchange of feedback between participants and organisers, celebrating the teams’ hard work and achievements. Dr Carsten Walbiner praised the impressive progress made during the programme, particularly in resilience research in Attaka, and expressed optimism about participants’ success in submitting papers to reputable journals. He also highlighted resources for proposal writing, EU funding opportunities, and the DAAD’s free training sessions in Cairo, which offer certification and support for academic career advancement. Lorena Mohr from the German Embassy in Cairo emphasised the embassy’s Climate Talks series and announced upcoming events on urban climate resilience and Red Sea biodiversity, planned for February. Dr Bahaa Elboshy discussed the importance of workshops on Horizon project proposals and EU funding for Egypt, expressing interest in the biodiversity conference. Prof Affaf Aloufy commended the innovative ideas generated during the event, linking them to Egypt’s 2030 strategy, while Dr. Mina Samaan (Galala University) and M.Sc. Mohammed Alfiky (University of Kassel) celebrated the successful collaboration between universities, especially with Kassel University, and thanked participants for their contributions, expressing hope for the future development of their proposals. The ceremony concluded with a farewell and certificate distribution, recognizing participants’ achievements.

After the formalities, they embarked on a marine study trip to Ain Sokhna, focusing on the waterfront and the marine ecosystem in the area. This hands-on experience aimed to deepen their understanding of marine conservation and ecological research. Dr Ahmed -Elnewishy, a Professor of Biodiversity at Galala University, shared educational information about the Galala mountains where the immigration of birds is observed biannually. He also mentioned that this is connected to the inauguration of a bird observatory at the Faculty of Biotechnology, Galala University.

On Friday, November 1st, 2024, the day began with three workshops on research publications, then the participants focused on identifying several collaboration aspects closing the winter school.  Participants of the winter school shared valuable reflections on their learning experiences and conducted intensive feedback discussions with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Altrock (University of Kassel), who joined the last day of the winter school. Dr Eman Abdelazem Abdelrahman from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) emphasised the need for strategies, supporting urban economies, cooling systems, and land cover mapping to combat heat, highlighting biodiversity preservation amidst population growth. Nourhan Mohamed Youssif and Aya Abd Elmaksoud Maan Bdear from the Mansoura Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology appreciated the new connections and ideas for sustainable construction and risk management, with plans to incorporate these insights into teaching. Mohamed Taqi Aboubakr from the Agricultural Research Centre, valued the field survey on local climate zones in Galala, noting his intent to apply GIS knowledge on microclimate-suitable vegetation for urban sustainability. Sohaila Jaheen from Bibliotheca Alexandrina recounted initial project challenges on mapping climate impacts on the Nubian Ibex, crediting mentors for guiding her team toward a unique research direction. Malak Atef from Champs University gained GIS and research skills that reinforced her interest in future studies on biodiversity and conservation, and she expressed plans to continue and publish her project, solidifying her commitment to environmental research.

In conclusion, the Winter School on “Sustainability and Climate Resilience in the Red Sea” provided an intensive, hands-on learning experience that equipped participants with advanced GIS skills and practical insights into climate resilience. Through a combination of online preparation, immersive on-site sessions, and field activities, attendees gained valuable knowledge on climate adaptation strategies, conservation techniques, and sustainable urban planning tailored to the unique challenges of the Red Sea region. The collaborative spirit of the event, supported by the DAAD Regional Office Cairo, Galala University, and University of Kassel, fostered interdisciplinary connections and inspired innovative ideas, from habitat modeling for vulnerable species to flood resilience and water harvesting projects. The closing reflections and presentations underscored the transformative impact of the winter school, with participants expressing a renewed commitment to apply their learning in future research and professional initiatives. As participants left with certificates in hand and insights from a marine study trip, the programme left a lasting impact, encouraging continued collaboration and scientific exchange to address pressing environmental challenges.

The winter school participants and partners from Kassel and Galala agreed to develop the initial research ideas to be published in high-ranked international journals in the following months. A primary plan was set and the first group meetings to follow up on the process will start in late November and the beginning of December 2024. Furthermore, the groups will discuss potentials for further research cooperation that have been discussed during the Winter School.