IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education is the largest international graduate water education facility in the world and is based in Delft, Netherlands. The Institute confers fully accredited Master of Science degrees, and doctoral degrees in collaboration with partners in the Netherlands. Since 1957, the Institute has provided graduate water education to more than 15,000 water professionals from over 160 countries, the vast majority from the developing world. The purpose of the Institute is ‘Equipping people and organizations to solve water and development challenges worldwide, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals’.
Vision, mission and impact
UNESCO-IHE envisions a world in which people manage their water and environmental resources in a sustainable manner, and in which all sectors of society, particularly the poor, can enjoy the benefits of basic services.
The mission of UNESCO-IHE is to contribute to the education and training of water professionals, increasing knowledge through research and strengthening the capacity of organizations, knowledge centers and institutions.
The core focus is on projects, organizations and institutes within the water, environment and infrastructure sectors of both developing countries and countries in transition.
Making impact on the ground is the main focus of UNESCO-IHE. Education courses are practical and relevant to water problems in the students’ countries of origin. Research leads to innovation which will transform lives for the better. Capacity development, usually undertaken with partners in southern and transition countries, contributes to the goal of “equipping people and organizations to solve water and development challenges worldwide”.
Strategy
Developed in 2015 the strategy defines specific initiatives required to achieve the desired role of “equipping people and organizations to solve water and development challenges worldwide”.
It was compiled from feedback from many sources, including a stakeholder survey and event.
The two main objectives are
- Maintain and improve quality
- Expand global presence and achieve stronger societal impact
These will be achieved by means of three ‘strategic drives’: Education; Research and Innovation and Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening..
Implementing the strategy began early in 2016 with 11 key initiatives being identified and run by an Institute-wide co-ordinator with input from all relevant departments and individuals.
Education
UNESCO-IHE offers a wide range of flexible, high quality, specialized educational programmes to respond to the needs of diverse clients from the water sector.
- PhD Programme
- MSc programme
- Short Courses
- Online Courses
UNESCO-IHE offers four accredited Master of Science programmes, with a total of 17 specializations. Deepen your expertise, and in the meantime gain substantial insight into the global water agenda.
MSc programmes
Water Management
The scientific study of water resources with practical planning and management skills.
Urban Water & Sanitation
Water supply, sanitation and water engineering and management, particularly in urban areas.
Environmental Science
Conservation and prudent use of natural resources for the benefit of society.
Water Science & Engineering
Hydrological and hydraulic processes and modelling tools for improved water management in coastal zones, river basins and agricultural areas.
For more information visit the website.
Fellowships
For candidates seeking financial assistance to cover all or part of their studies in one of the UNESCO-IHE programmes or courses, please find the fellowship opportunities here.
Research and Innovation
With over 90 academic staff, 160 PhD fellows and post-docs active in water-related, problem-focused and solution oriented research on development issues, UNESCO-IHE has a vibrant multicultural and multidisciplinary research atmosphere.
The Institute's demand-driven research activities focus on and contribute to the knowledge base concerning water & development. The Institute addresses the major issues and challenges faced by many developing countries. One of the Institute's main assets is its ties to the developing world. These links provide an excellent opportunity to perform an almost constant reality check, since water issues that developing countries face require new and innovative solutions.
Research Themes
The Institute's demand-driven research activities focus on and contribute to the knowledge base concerning water & development.
Safe Drinking Water & Sanitation
Increasing access to safe, sufficient and affordable water for people to meet basic needs for drinking, sanitation and hygiene, to safeguard health and well-being, and to fulfill basic human rights.
Water-related Hazards & Climate Change
Water-related hazards like floods, droughts, pollution and related issues, are increasing in frequency and intensity around the globe due to population growth and effects of climate change.
Water & Ecosystems Quality
Aquatic ecosystems as service providers for environmental and human well- being, development, and water integrity.
Water Management & Governance
Research is centered on the conviction that the social, biophysical and technological processes of water systems are intrinsically linked.
Water, Food & Energy Security
Better management of water for food and energy security in a sustainable and equitable way.
Information & Knowledge Systems
Managing the information cycle of data acquisition, modelling, forecasting, optimization and knowledge management supporting decisions related to water.
Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening
Water supply, sanitation and water resources are affected not only by climate change, rising demands for water and increasing pollution of sources but also by weak human and institutional capacity. Developing countries and countries in transition are often ill-equipped to tackle problems and to play their role in international negotiations and sustainable development, which sustains a situation of dependency.
Building strong local and regional education and research environments to educate future water leaders and creating adequate institutions enabling the sound management of water resources are at UNESCO-IHE's core.
UNESCO-IHE strives to strengthen the programmes of universities and research institutes as well as the knowledge and capacity base of ministries and other water sector organizations in Africa, South-America and Asia/Pacific.
This is done by training water professionals on-the-job, creating water education networks, joint research, policy advice, distance & e-learning, participation in innovative projects and facilitating knowledge sharing.
Alumni
UNESCO-IHE alumni attain key positions in their home countries and are seen as recognized experts in their field regionally and (inter)nationally. They implement the global water agenda and improve the quality of life of their communities every day. The Institute has graduated around 15,000 water professionals from over 160 countries, together forming the largest global network of water professionals in the world.
Today, they are employed in public and private organizations in the field of water, as well as in international organizations. Many alumni reach prominent positions in which strategic, managerial, policy and decision-making components are a part of their function. Over 95% of the alumni return to their home region after graduation. More than 87% remains active in the water sector for many years. Read more here.
The UNESCO Water Family
UNESCO-IHE was created in 2003 from the previous IHE. This in turn was established from the International Course in Hydraulic Engineering (set up in 1957). This name changed to International Institute for Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering (IHE) in 1976.
Since 2003, UNESCO-IHE is part of the UNESCO Water Family, and is owned by all UNESCO member states. The Institute is established as a UNESCO 'category 1 Institute' jointly by UNESCO and the Government of the Netherlands. UNESCO-IHE cooperates with a wide range of partners in the water sector.
UNESCO-IHE operates in a variety of policy contexts. As part of the UNESCO and UN family, there is the international policy context, the RIO+20 outcomes, the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, UNESCO-IHE is based in the Netherlands and therefore also operates and works in the context of the water related European and Dutch policy.
UNESCO-IHE works particularly closely with UNESCO-IHP (International Hydrological Programme) especially in relation to its Strategy Plan 2014-21, devoted to water research, water resources management, and education and capacity building. Also the Institute collaborates on specific initiatives with the WWAP (World Water Assessment Programme), which issues an annual in-depth report on water issues, such as Water for a Sustainable World and Water for Jobs.