Wim Deetman ALUMNI | Results Tracer Survey Revealed in FOCUS | Building a Glacier in the Desert ONLINE | Sanitation and Water Management Toolbox Let’S Keep in Touch!

INTERVIEW | Wim Deetman ALUMNI | Results tracer survey revealed IN FOCUS | Building a glacier in the desert ONLINE | Sanitation and Water Management Toolbox Let’s keep in touch!

UMAGAZINE UNESCO-IHEPDATE INSTITUTE FOR WATER EDUCATION

2011MAY

2 Diversity is key

Welcome to a new issue of UPDATE Magazine in which you can read about the very diverse areas in which the Institute is active, through its efforts in the areas of education, research and capacity development programmes. Much work remains to be done to meet global water challenges. Setting up a global campus as a means to strengthen international academic collaboration and intensify existing relations with partners and institutes is the next step forward.

The future education of UNESCO-IHE is to be characterised by a consistent application of innovative, learner-centred didactical approaches to produce graduates who become the much needed water experts. Thus, the Institute aims to offer innovative, internationally appealing global water education programmes, while at the same time pursuing enhanced and effective cooperation with its partner institutions to create new international learning alliances.

ARE YOU AN This global campus will be an interdisciplinary environment in ALUMNUS? which a new generation of water professionals is able to explore insights into water problems from many different perspectives, We are living in an international and contribute to the development of creative, integrated world where email is the fastest and sustainable solutions. They will become water leaders way of keeping in touch across rather than followers. Solid knowledge and understanding of the globe. UNESCO-IHE follows one discipline as well as cognitive competencies outside that this trend and we are increasingly discipline blended with functional, personal, values/ethical and sending you information by email. meta-competencies are to be acquired. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us and send us your most UNESCO-IHE in collaboration with its partners have a key up-to-date contact details. Your task in transferring knowledge and research in achieving the details will only be used to send world’s development goals over the next decade. We must all you information about UNESCO- recognize that there is a definite and strong need to develop, IHE. We will respect your privacy strengthen and maintain local and regional capacities to conduct at all times and will not share your professional training, academic education and research in water- information with others without related subjects. your prior consent. I hope you will enjoy reading this issue of UPDATE Magazine.

Professor András Szöllösi-Nagy Rector, UNESCO-IHE

editorial board editorial design In UPDATE freedom of expression about the magazine institute for water education Erwin Ploeger contributions Peter Stroo and opinion is encouraged. Opinions UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water UNESCO-IHE is the largest Joop de Schutter Selda Akbal need to be expressed fully and clearly Education produces a biennial magazine international postgraduate water András Szöllösi-Nagy Leonardo Alfonso print in the content. It should also be clear called UPDATE. We print 15,000 free education institute in the world and Stefan Uhlenbrook Giuliano di Baldasarre Prints & Proms/ whose opinion the article represents. copies per issue, which are sent to our the only institution in the UN system Ellen Brandenburg Rotterdam The Editorial Committee reserves the counterparts across the world. UPDATE authorised to confer accredited editorial committee Wim Douven right to refrain from publishing articles, features institutional information MSc degrees and promote PhDs. Jan Willem Foppen Jan Willem Foppen published by editorial contributions and letters to the related to water education, research The mission of UNESCO-IHE is to Ann van Griensven Carol Howe UNESCO-IHE editor or to publish them in consultation and capacity development activities contribute to the education and training Jeltsje Kemerink Ewoud Kok PO Box 3015 with the author. undertaken by UNESCO-IHE, its alumni of professionals and to develop the Jan Herman Koster Laura Kwak 2601 DA Delft and partners. capacity of sector organisations, Henk Lubberding Michael McClain The Netherlands The Editorial Commitee encourages knowledge centres and other Roy Meijer (TuD) editorial contributions from readers. We try to make every issue of UPDATE institutions active in the fields of water, editor-in-chief Arthur Mynett t +31 15 215 1715 The sections known as The Column, Magazine as eco-friendly as possible. the environment and infrastructure, in Alida Pham Maria Laura Sorrentino f +31 15 212 2921 Op-Ed and Report from the Field are The paper used to make this UPDATE developing countries and countries in Micha Werner e [email protected] intended to provide a platform for such is produced by Sappi and is one of the transition. sub-editor i www.unesco-ihe.org contributions. Please note that editorial Triple Star papers delivered to us by Joy Maul-Phillips sections are subject to change. Papyrus. This paper is PEFC certified. Since 1957, the Institute has provided PEFC stands for the Programme for the postgraduate education to over coordination UPDATE Magazine is interested in Endorsement of Forest Certification, 14,500 water professionals from 162 Manuela Porceddu hearing more from the Institute’s an independent, nonprofit, non- countries, the vast majority of whom alumni, especially about projects governmental organization that works come from the developing world. they are currently undertaking and with forest managers, paper and timber Currently the Institute counts 130 the organisations to which they are companies and their external certifiers registered PhD fellows, and numerous affiliated. Please send your updates to assure that the world’s forests are research and capacity development to the editor by sending an email to managed sustainably for the benefit of projects are carried out throughout [email protected]. future generations. the world. 3 [email protected] 4 | Interview with Wim Deetman, 4 IHE Delft Foundation Board Member

12 | Interview with Maria Kennedy, newly appointed Professor

12 10 10 | Alumni Tracer Survey The Results

14 | SWITCH 2006 - 2011 A Global Partnership 14 18 18 | Artist Ap Verheggen Cultural Ambassador presents SunGlacier

INTERVIEW | Wim Deetman ALUMNI | Results tracer survey revealed IN FOCUS | Building a glacier in the desert ONLINE | Sanitation and Water Management Toolbox ABOUT THE COVER 2 | Short news Let’s keep in touch! This cover photo was shot at the ATH Resources UMAGAZINE UNESCO-IHEPDATE INSTITUTE FOR WATER EDUCATION 7 | Column Climate Change coal mine located in the north of Edinburgh in Scotland. The specialists are checking the 8 | Colombia mission

MAY growth of the reeds in the waste water purifica- 2011 11 | Mara flows tion beds. The water has been pumped out of the coalmines and is being purified by the reeds. 11 | Opinion Damming Eastern Africa’s Rivers ATH Resources operates surface coal mines and 2 16 | Updates Flood Resilience Group is one of the largest producers of coal in the UK, providing coal principally to the electricity sup- 17 | KULTURisk ply industry and also the industrial and house | coal markets. Throughout the development and 20 Mobile phone data collection field report operation of its projects, the company focuses 21 | Publications on the restoration and rehabilitation of the sites | and land is returned to a number of uses includ- 22 Project progress report Scusa ing agriculture, forestry, nature conservation 23 | Joint programmes and other forms of development. 24 | Past events Photo © Monty Rakusen/cultura/Corbis 26 | Staff news 28 | Online water resources 1 SHORT NEWS

NEW GROUNDWATER NEW LIBRARY WASTEWATER RESOURCES CATALOGUE TREATMENT LAB ASSESSMENT The UNESCO-IHE online library A new wastewater treatment lab was CENTRE IS catalogue has recently been fully recently established at UNESCO-IHE. RELOCATING updated and can be accessed through The lab was built in the framework the UNESCO-IHE website at www. of the SALINE research project and The International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre unesco-ihe.org/about/facilities/ financed by UNESCO-IHE and Prof. (IGRAC) had been hosted at the Deltares offices in Utrecht, the library. The online repository contains Ekama from the University of Cape Netherlands. In line with the recent decision by the Dutch govern- all the bibliographical data on the collec- Town. The new lab provides ten ment, IGRAC, a UNESCO Category 2 Institute will be relocated to tion, abstracts and PDF documents, as research stations with state-of-the-art the UNESCO-IHE premises in Delft in the summer of 2011. The well as an instruction manual for using experimental bio‐chemical wastewater Centre will operate under the auspices of UNESCO and will have a the new catalogue and PiCarta. The full- treatment equipment for MSc, PhD and partnership structure which includes international bodies such as text PDF files can only be accessed on post‐doc sanitary engineering students. the World Meteorological Organization. Established in 1999 at the UNESCO-IHE premises or through login 5th International Conference on Hydrology, IGRAC aims to facilitate authentication via the UNESCO-IHE [email protected] and promote worldwide exchange of groundwater knowledge to portal. The new catalogue also contains improve assessment, development and management of groundwater a direct link to PiCarta, the Dutch Union resources. Catalogue. PiCarta (www.picarta.nl) www.igrac.net is the gateway to library collections of nearly all Dutch University Libraries and the Royal Library of the Netherlands. DELFT URBAN WATER ADDS UNESCO-IHE alumni are eligible for the TO DUTCH EXPERTISE alumni services, including free access to the library catalogue and to PDFs of all Researchers from Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands), MSc theses. UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the Deltares research [email protected] institute and the KWR Water Cycle Research Institute have set up the Delft Urban Water research platform. By combining expertise in the field of urban water management, they aim to tackle future problems of increasing urbanization, flooding and a worldwide shortage of 26-30 September 2011 high-quality water. More than twenty professors and over 100 PhD WEEK PhD students will be carrying out research related to urban water management. The establishment of the platform will make it possible True to tradition, the annual UNESCO- to efficiently and dynamically integrate a range of technologies at the IHE PhD week will take place from 26- scale of buildings, neighbourhoods and cities. Working in concert ADAPTING TO 30 September at the Institute in Delft. with industry partners, advisory agencies and other institutions CLIMATE CHANGE During the event, PhD fellows will around the world, researchers at the Delft Urban Water platform present their research and meet with the are developing innovative concepts and technologies on the cutting IN CUBA management and staff of the institute edge of their disciplines, as well as integrated solutions for the city of UNESCO-IHE was granted EC funds to discuss various research topics. today and tomorrow. though EuropeAid to carry out two pro- UNESCO-IHE currently has more than jects in Cuba. One project is on adapting www.delfturbanwater.nl 130 PhD fellows in various research ar- to climate change and mitigating water eas. During the PhD week, a course will scarcity by innovative urban water be given by the SENSE research school, management. The other is on strength- entitled ‘Environmental Research in ening the Cuban food production and Context’. The aim is to support PhD can- aquaculture sector through resource didates in their research and develop- optimization and recovery. These pro- ment by offering practical planning tips, jects started this year and are intended providing information on the discipli- to help reduce water shortages in Cuba, nary and multidisciplinary research of as well as to increase food security the SENSE Research School, explaining through the recovery and optimization the social context of environmental of resources (water, energy, nutrients) research, and strengthening interactions in the food processing chain. They will with other PhD students. The course is strengthen the expertise of Cuban water designed for starting PhD students from professionals and experts from the food within the SENSE Research School. sector by transferring the knowledge A programme will be made available on generated through the project to local www.unesco-ihe.org/research. graduate and post-graduate schools. [email protected] [email protected] Contact: Roy Meijer, TU Delft Science Information Officer, [email protected]

2 APRIL-JUNE 2012 THE BIG CHALLENGE

The Big Challenge is calling on 100 talented young researchers from all over the world to develop solutions for the world’s most critical issue: WATER. The challenge will be launched at the 6th World Water Forum, in March 2012, and will then continue in Delft, the Netherlands. Twenty groups of five Top Talents will have three months, April to June 2012, to develop innovative and intelligent solutions to real challenges related to water. The Big Challenge is organised by IBM, UNESCO-IHE and H2O Job. The themes used in the challenge are based on real water problems confronting businesses, governments or NGOs. During their time in Delft, the research groups will have access to an international network of experts. They will travel throughout the country to develop their solution: meeting up with stakeholders, investigating sites of interest, and presenting their findings at a grand closing event. This hands-on, real-life experience will shape the future leaders of the world. 29 October - 4 November, 2011 For more information on eligibility criteria, ways to apply, sponsorship packages, the challenges and collaborat- INTERNATIONAL WATER WEEK ing companies see the website www.thebigchallenge.nl. [email protected] Amsterdam RAI will be organizing the first The event includes the internationally International Water Week in November in renowned Aquatech Amsterdam trade Amsterdam with the International Water exhibition and Aquaterra, the world forum Association (IWA), the Netherlands Water on delta and coastal development. In addi- SPATE IRRIGATION Partnership (NWP) and Waternet. The tion, Integrated Aqua Solutions (a unique PROJECT STARTS theme week offers a range of events and showcase of innovative water projects) meetings for professionals in water tech- will premiere during the week. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has nology and water management, providing Much of the week’s programmes will also recently granted USD 1.2 Million USD for the Spate Irrigation a small-scale but real-time showcase of the focus on students and young profession- for Rural Growth and Poverty Alleviation project. The project accomplishments that are possible when als under the age of 35. The IWW 2011 will develop spate irrigation policies and capacity building pro- good water technology meets good water Amsterdam will be a platform for high- grammes in Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen and Pakistan. The project is management. During the International lighting the challenges the water sector expected to run from January 2011 to December 2014. Water Week, technical tours and excur- faces, the opportunities at hand, and how In the past few years, UNESCO-IHE and MetaMeta, a sions will be organized to visit some of the water professionals can be involved. Netherlands based private company, have jointly documented marvels of Dutch engineering. good practices and training material, all of which were used to www.internationalwaterweek.com share experiences within and between countries. This has led to a compendium of improved practices on water diversion and engineering, organization and governance, improving agronomy, WATER CHALLENGES OF URBANISATION moisture management and non-agricultural activities. The project intends to promote spate irrigation at a national policy level YOUNG SCIENTISTS WORKSHOP as well as at an operational level.

[email protected] During the International Water Week (IWW) at the Amsterdam RAI congress centre, a four- day young scientists workshop will be held on water challenges related to urbanization. The workshop will bring together some 35 international PhD students and young professionals from the industrial sector. They will prepare for the workshop by writing a scientific paper on the topic of ‘Water challenges of urbanization’, in which they will address global problems associated with the rapid growth of cities around the world. The workshop is scientifically supervised by three professors of water management and several senior water professionals. The workshop outcomes include a joint vision on opportunities to solve urbanization issues. The Young Water Professionals Programme is organized by Waternet, IWA and Amsterdam RAI in collaboration with UNESCO-IHE, the Netherlands Water Partnership and the Royal Dutch Water Network. [email protected]

3 “I can play an active role in strengthening the position of the Institute”

4 © Photo: ANP, Phil Nijhuis © Photo: ANP, BOARD MEMBER INTERVIEW

“ Being more creative in financially challenging times”

Wim Deetman, Dutch politician and statesman, At this moment, the Dutch government is by far former minister of education and mayor of The the most important sponsor of UNESCO-IHE. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science provides a Hague in the Netherlands, was appointed Chair base subsidy to support mainly the regular education of the IHE Delft Foundation Board in September programme, whereas the Ministry of Foreign 2010. Deetman who is currently a member of Affairs funds fellowships and project-based capacity development and partnership building activities. ‘Water’ the Dutch Council of State, talked to UPDATE will however remain one of the four priority themes of Magazine about how he sees the position of Dutch development cooperation in the coming years. So, UNESCO-IHE in the Netherlands, important despite the anticipated budget cuts in fellowship (NFP) and capacity building (NICHE) schemes, there will be an areas for the Institute to engage in and his role important role for UNESCO-IHE to help the government as chairperson of the Board. achieve its water-related ambitions.

“I recall that in the 1980s, when I was Minister of Education and Science, also many cuts were made in the “I very much believe in UNESCO-IHE and its mission budgets of the central government. It was in this period to contribute to meeting the water-related capacity that we were able to realize many more innovations, building needs of developing countries and countries particularly in the field of research and development. in transition,” he says. “During my tenure as Minister In financially challenging times one needs to be more of Education and later on as President of the Board of creative. There is a larger acceptance of creative ideas,” NUFFIC, I have always supported the programmes Deetman elaborates. and activities in the field of international higher education.” NUFFIC is the Netherlands Organization “As the Chairperson of the IHE Delft Foundation Board, for International Cooperation in Higher Education I see it as my role to support the Rector and my fellow and Research, and acts as intermediary between higher board members in stimulating and encouraging new education institutes and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign developments. I can play an active role in strengthening Affairs under the development cooperation framework. the position of UNESCO-IHE within the national political arena. I will be able to voice the Institute’s “ The Dutch can and must be very proud of this Institute concerns and interests especially within the setting of the and the accomplishments it has made over the years. Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The global impact in the field and the large alumni and if necessary the Dutch parliament.” network really show that UNESCO-IHE has earned its internationally renowned reputation. The Dutch are too The UNESCO-IHE Governing Board and the IHE Delft modest to realize this and that is a pity.” Foundation Board recently endorsed the proposal for new strategic directions and comprehensive reform of Severe cuts were announced in the Dutch development the current scope and functioning of the Institute. The cooperation budget of the recently installed Rutte Boards also supported the establishment of a global Cabinet. This is the current Dutch coalition cabinet UNESCO-IHE campus of interconnected regional formed by the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and institutes. Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). The coalition is a minority cabinet, but The global UNESCO-IHE Campus is to increase the is supported by the Party for Freedom (PVV) to have a delivery capacity of UNESCO-IHE through improved small majority in the House of Representatives of the access by a significantly higher number of participants Netherlands. to high quality water and environmental education,

5 “There will be an important role for UNESCO-IHE to help the government achieve its water-related ambitions”

training and research opportunities at a competitive cost. university status (including the right to promote PhD They will benefit from everything that a global campus students, Ius Promovendus). This is a necessary asset to network can offer: maximum exposure, shared scientific provide academic leadership and guidance to university interest, enhanced quality and the sharing of business partners and research institutions within this global opportunities in the global education, training and network. research market for water and the environment. UNESCO-IHE can help the government in The Global Campus idea fits the main elements of the the implementation of their new vision on the new policies adopted for internationalization of the internationalization of tertiary education, in which Dutch tertiary education as developed by the National under Dutch national law the promotion right will AWT (National Advisory Council for Science and likely be extended from the limited number of registered Technology). The concept is in full correspondence universities towards a wider group of institutions with the report on ways to optimize the impact of involved in high level research work. Obtaining the right development cooperation from the WRR (National to grant PhD degrees as a result of this process is the Advisory Council for Government Policies). preferred option.

“ The global expansion within the proposed reform is a “I know that it is not easy to obtain the Ius Promovendus very good idea. It will make the Institute stronger, more in this setting,” Deetman says. “But at the same time it is financially autonomous,” Deetman explains. “It is very an important condition for the further development and important for the Institute to have an increased and financial stability of the Institute. We all have to make more diversified funding base that could stimulate new clear to authorities that to have the right of promotion developments with other organizations and institutes is a win-win situation, for the Institute but also for the in the world. This is important for the Institute and the Dutch government and society at large.” Dutch government, but also for society at large. Deetman continues: “Research and knowledge institutes The members of the board at its last meeting also in the Netherlands have a lot of expertise with respect recognized the need for the Institute to obtain the to dealing with a variety of water issues. So far we have

6 COLUMN

PERSONALIA

2008 Member of the Dutch Council of State 2002 Climate change is Thanks to the efforts of Deetman, The Hague was chosen as the seat of The International Criminal Court here to stay – for 1996-2008 Mayor of The Hague 1989-1996 quite some time… President of the Dutch House of Representatives 1982-1989 Climate change and its impact have been receiving considerable Minister of Education and Science attention in our world of water, and continue to be an important 1978-1981 driver for education, research and capacity building at State Secretary of Education and UNESCO-IHE. Can our present water resources be managed Science more effectively? Can we develop sustainable technologies 1972 that will allow future generations to enjoy access to fresh water? Deetman graduates from the Free Is there a way to avert damage resulting from the impact of University Amsterdam where he climate change? studied political science While we contemplate these pressing questions, ice caps on Greenland are melting away, Alaskan glaciers are disappearing, and permafrost is vanishing in Siberia. Is there anything we can do to influence these processes? Should we educate the world to be more aware of environmental issues? Further develop technologies to conserve water and energy? Organize another World Water Forum? Steps need to be taken; that much is clear. But will even our best efforts be effective? Will they stop global warming or lead us back to a stable status quo that will allow everyone to live happily ever after? Unlikely. Even if measures were to be implemented right now, it would not stop the Siberian tundra from emitting enormous quantities of methane, a gas that is many times more harmful than CO2. All signs indicate that the climate ball has just started been able to maintain and further develop this rolling and is still going downhill - and is likely to continue for expertise, but it would be highly beneficial quite some time … if we were to have an increased number Is there nothing we can do to prevent this? Could we stop of activities outside of the Netherlands. driving cars? Ban all industries? Extinguish all forest fires? Building and maintaining an intense network Hold our breath till we turn blue so we consume less oxygen? throughout the world in which we can actively Organize even more World Water Forums? participate is really the way forward.” Clearly, all measures need to be explored and every relevant technology should be developed. However, the idea that our He adds: “Another area that I believe the efforts will make it possible for us to control Mother Earth may Netherlands should focus on is to see this be an illusion. Climate change has all the features of a strongly expertise as an important economic factor that nonlinear system with feedback mechanisms and response times can generate a sustainable source of revenue if that are not yet fully understood. Have anthropogenic effects we are to make this expertise available abroad. caused all the problems? Has our influence on climate change Against this background it is of importance become dominant in recent years? According to geologists, that we have a good network, activities and atmospheric CO2 has already reached levels more than 100-fold programmes overseas from which we can draw. higher than present values several times in the distant past – long before cars or industries were around to contribute. At the same time we contribute to sustainable So where are we headed? And how soon is this going to development in those areas where it is most happen? The answer depends on your time horizon. Is global needed. International postgraduate water warming a fact? All indications are that it is, if we look 50 years education should foremost be done on the into the future. Can we expect another ice age? Most likely, basis of regional and networked educational according to climatologists, but not yet; we would have to look institutions located in areas where water- at a scale of several thousand years. So is there no end in sight? related problems take place. The common Sure there is! Climate change will eventually come to an denominator that connects the global network end: when the sun enters its red giant stage, Earth is likely to is UNESCO-IHE, the alma mater of trained be consumed by the expanding star. Even before that, all water water professionals.” will have evaporated due to increased solar activity; our planet is unlikely to support life by that time. The dramatic demise “Finally I would like to say that it is a great of planet Earth is still several billion years away, however. honour for me to succeed Henk Vonhoff in the Meanwhile, at the time scale of human life, there is still plenty role of chairperson of the Board. He did such of education, research and capacity building to a wonderful job,” Deetman says. “My task is do – and there will be for quite some time … to continue the work he did for the Institute.” Henk Vonhoff who was Chair of the IHE Delft Foundation Board since 2003 passed away on 25 July 2010. Arthur Mynett is Professor of Hydraulic Engineering 7 MISSION REPORT Colombia calls in expert advice after flooding

Months of heavy rains during the extreme wet season of 2010-2011 triggered landslides and floods at an unprecedented scale across Colombia, leaving over 350 people dead, displacing some 2 million people and causing over $6 billion in damage. Scores of dike breaches, including a major failure of the dikes along a navigation link canal, inundated thousands of square kilometers of land not normally flooded during the wet season, leaving many communities uninhabitable for months.

The Colombian government declared Colombia, President Santos requested the Environment, the National Hydro- a state of emergency in 28 of its 32 his Ministry of Transport to ask the Meteorological Agency, the office of provinces. Immediate attention was given Netherlands Embassy in Bogotá to provide the Governor of Cauca, and the National to rescue and response operations, but advice. His request was based on an Planning Agency. Two days were also the scale of the event has led the govern- awareness of the extensive experience spent flying over the affected areas in small ment to start looking for more sustainable in water and flood management in the planes and helicopters to take stock of the solutions. At the request of President Juan Netherlands, as well as the long-standing extent of inundation and flood damage. Manuel Santos Calderón, a delegation of Dutch-Colombian cooperation in the experts from the Netherlands (including water sector dating back to the mid- UNESCO-IHE representatives) visited 1970s. There are also strong ties between Recommendations Colombia at the end of January. The aim UNESCO-IHE and various universities and Based on the information they gathered of their visit was to help identify short, research institutes in Colombia, and many and the discussions they conducted with medium and long-term measures and to UNESCO-IHE alumni hail from Colombia. various authorities, the team developed contribute international experience in inte- In response to the President’s request, recommendations for the Colombian grated flood risk management. the Netherlands Embassy in Bogotá and government on a more sustainable ap- the Netherlands Water Partnership formed proach to flood management. A number a team of experts from the Dutch water of Colombian universities, agencies and Request for input sector which travelled to Colombia at the institutions have substantial expertise in from experts end of January. The aim was to provide the field of water and flood management; This flood event has been high on the an analysis of the situation and propose a some of these experts were UNESCO-IHE Colombian political agenda; the govern- more sustainable approach to flood man- alumni, who have worked in close coop- ment has recognized that the magnitude agement in Colombia. The team consisted eration with Colombian universities for of the floods and the extent of the damage of flood experts from UNESCO-IHE, some 30 years, in particular Universidad caused may require a new approach to Deltares, Royal Haskoning, Royal Boskalis del Valle in Cali. Despite this expertise, flood management. A more comprehen- Westminster and Antea Group (formerly one of the issues identified by the team sive approach to flood management is Oranjewoud), among others. was the lack of an integrated approach needed to avoid a repeat of such wide- To understand the extent and impact of to water management in general, and flood spread damage in future rainy seasons, and the floods and to see how the management management in particular. The institutional to adapt to the expected increase in floods of flood events is organised in Colombia, set-up is fragmented and generally does due to climate change. the team met with various ministries not follow river basin boundaries, which To gain a better understanding of and government agencies, including the often leads to an ad-hoc approach how to improve flood management in Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of to flood management. This typically

8 Scour hole left after the major dike failure along the Canal del Dique. The breach had recently been closed, but the damage to the community and the agricultural area behind the dike can be seen clearly

focuses on small-scale levees that may ing a partnership between the Netherlands provide protection to local communities, and Colombia in the area of water manage- but may equally exacerbate flood issues at ment. Such a partnership would build on “A more the basin scale. strong ties between the two countries in The main overall recommendation water management, which were estab- integrated given to the government was therefore lished as early as the 1970s. to develop a more integrated approach to The President immediately tasked sev- approach to managing flood risks. Institutional reform eral government ministers present at the will also be needed so issues can be ad- meeting with following up on the recom- managing dressed at the basin level. A shift in focus mendations made by the team; several ac- from flood protection to risk reduction tivities have been initiated since then. One flood risks is has brought about a more sustainable such effort is the pilot projects for the new approach to flood management in Europe; policy on water management, extended needed” this same paradigm shift would also ben- to include aspects of integrated flood risk efit Colombia. management, which are currently taking A good start was made in 2010 with the place in various basins across Colombia. introduction of a new policy on Integrated This effort is coordinated by the Ministry Water Resources Management. While the of the Environment, with the support of policy is still in the pilot phase of imple- the Netherlands Embassy in Bogotá. mentation, the recent flood events did UNESCO-IHE will continue to be highlight that integrated flood risk man- involved in these pilot projects, offering agement is very much a part of that policy. guidance and facilitating capacity building. Although all those concerned are aware that the recommendations offered for the Feedback to the President medium and long term may not reduce and follow-up flood risks in the coming rainy season, it is Following briefings with the various min- hoped that a more integrated approach to istries, the team wrapped up the mission flood risk management will minimize the by discussing the recommendations with disruption and damage caused by future President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón. events in Colombia. He took a keen interest in the recommen- Meeting with President Santos dations and welcomed the idea of renew- at the presidential palace.

9 [email protected] Top four of training topics followed after studies Competences and skills acquired at Competences and Skills UNESCO-IHE and required on the job Respondents indicated that they have primarily acquired technical competences and skills at UNESCO-IHE, as well as competence in lifelong learning. The tacit knowledge inherent in that competence includes a broader worldview, critical thinking, reflective thinking and intercultural understanding. To a significant extent, the competences that the respondents need in their daily jobs consist of technical and management skills. The demand for governance competences is indicated to be higher than was acquired at UNESCO-IHE. Management competences were defined as the knowledge and skills that are needed to for day to day management of the organization. Governance competences included understanding of procedures and institutional structures, political consensus building and the ability and willingness to involve stakeholders in decision making processes. It must be noted that alumni of all age groups are included in this sample. In the past, the curriculum included more To which extent did you professionally benefit from technical subjects than nowadays, which may lead to the the contacts (participants, staff, etc.) you made at In most cases, the working environment was conducive for UNESCO-IHE? impression that many alumni acquired mostly technical using the knowledge and skills acquired at UNESCO-IHE, knowledge and skills at UNESCO-IHE. For the younger with 69% indicating that this was true ‘to a high or very high generation of alumni, a more varied picture would emerge extent’. The graph shows the changes in job level comparing from the data. the level before and after the study at UNESCO-IHE. When In terms of additional non-degree training, the most looking at changes in employment over the longer term, the popular training mentioned by the respondents covered career paths of the respondents show marked advancements. project management skills, planning, coordinating, organizing and leadership skills. Network

Two-thirds of the respondents said that they had benefited Impact on career professionally from contacts made at UNESCO-IHE. 75% After studying at UNESCO-IHE, the majority of the have professional contact with one or more of the people respondents (76%) continued to work for the same employer they met during their studies, and 19% of this group stated (NB: this is a requirement of many fellowship programs). that they had maintained contact with 15 people or more. Half of them were immediately promoted to a better position. When asked about involvement with a United Nations or Dutch organisation after their studies, 25% indicated that Distribution of job levels before study at UNESCO-IHE up they have been working for or with the UN (in the role of To which extent do you consider your overall professional to four jobs after study commissioner, consultant, sub-contractor or partner), while activities to contribute to the development of your 21% reported to have worked for or with a Dutch public/ country/region? private organization.

Impact of study Over 70% of the respondents reported that their professional activities are very much related to the development of their country or region. This number is illustrated by the high percentages of respondents that have contributed to development studies (60%), development reforms (45%) and especially to development projects (86%).

* The survey was sent to alumni of IHE and alumni of UNESCO- IHE. For the purposes of the survey, UNESCO-IHE is used to refer to the institute throughout its history. alumni tracer survey

In an effort to better understand 20.7% (239) of the respondents are female and 79.3% taught me to work in a group, communicate with different the relevance and impact of the (914) are male. Ranked by country of origin, the largest cultures and accept different ideas, practice critical and education offered by UNESCO- group of respondents is from Indonesia, followed by lateral thinking, improving leadership qualities, manage- IHE, an alumni tracer survey was Ethiopia and Tanzania. The majority of the respond- ment skills and so forth, the list is endless!”. conducted in the last quarter of ents graduated in past two decades but with over 270 2010. The results will be used respondents that graduated before1990, the group also The vast majority stays active in the field of water and en- to further improve the Institute’s includes alumni from the earlier years of the institute, vironment in the country or region of their origin, stead- services for future generations providing a complete career development picture of the ily making professional advancement by either improving of water professionals. 6500 alumni population anno 2011. their job positions or changing of employer. Most alumni alumni were asked to participate further improve their competences by following short in the survey. Questions were First results of the tracer survey reveal the relevance and specialized courses. In keeping professionally updated, about education, career develop- impact of studying at UNESCO-IHE. Alumni generally in- contacts with former classmates and professors met at ment, professional networks and dicate that through their studies they gained new knowl- UNESCO-IHE are highly valued. skills and competences they had edge and competences and increased their confidence acquired during their studies at required for tackling the challenges they face while The survey is currently undergoing comprehensive UNESCO-IHE*. A total of 1153 pursuing their career. In the words of an alumnus from analysis. A preliminary preview is given on this page. In respondents completed the sur- India: “I am very grateful to IHE, not only for enhancing my the next edition of UPDATE magazine further outcomes vey, a response rate of 18%. knowledge base, but also for shaping my personality … IHE will be published.

10 www.unesco-ihe.org/alumni OPINION PROJECT Damming Eastern Flows for People Africa’s Rivers and Ecosystems Eastern Africa is blessed with remarkable rivers, from the Blue Nile and the headwaters of Lake Victoria to coastal rivers draining the slopes of The Mara River crosses national river and the productivity of fish and Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Eastern Arc Mountains. borders, creating a situation similar papyrus in the wetland where the Mara From time immemorial, these free-flowing rivers to many other rivers in East Africa. empties into Lake Victoria. have shaped the region’s landscape, met the basic Its water resources have not been The bulk of the research is being water needs of people and wildlife, and flourished significantly developed to date, carried out by East African PhD students as biodiverse ecosystems in their own right. Today, but plans are in motion for major under the joint supervision of professors many East African rivers suffer from a deterioration development over the coming years, from UNESCO-IHE, the University of in water quality, but, with unfortunate exceptions, including two dams and multipurpose Dar es Salaam, and Egerton University. most rivers are still largely undammed and free- reservoirs to supply water for irrigation, Detailed studies of the river’s flow and flowing. The region has hydropower potential, but domestic needs and small-scale flooding regimes are underway, with a only 10% of the large options and 2% of its small hydropower. Although it is in many focus on those components of the flow options has been developed. East Africa has the ways a typical transboundary river, and flooding regimes that are most smallest water storage capacity of any region in Africa the Mara is also unusual because it ecologically relevant. Parallel studies and less than 5% of its cultivated land is irrigated. The is the only perennial river flowing are examining key ecological processes, historical explanation for the lack of river regulation though the Mara-Serengeti Ecoregion, the variability of those processes as a and development is partly political and partly where the migration of more than two function of changes in flow regime, economic, but the countries in the region are setting million wildebeest, Plains zebra, and and the related ecosystem services that ambitious goals for the coming 20 years. The grand other ungulates attracts millions of people depend upon. Scale modelling vision is laid out in the Africa Water Vision 2025 and tourists annually. Over-abstraction or of the river basin is being used to assess the ambitions of individual nations are taking shape regulation of flows in the Mara could the combined effects of land use and in initiatives like Kenya’s Vision 2030. have severe ecological consequences. climate change, enabling the simulation Although many are alarmed, and not without Modifications of river flows may also of flow regimes into an uncertain future. cause, by the prospects for unacceptable and affect hundreds of thousands of people These PhD studies are enhanced by irreversible damage to the ecology and ecosystem living beyond the reach of the proposed associated MSc theses. The project is services of Eastern Africa river systems, I am projects, people who rely on the river embedded within a larger development hopeful. If it is done properly, now may be the for water, fish, and other ecosystem- programme financed by the US Agency time to embark on such an ambitious regional dependent basic needs. To maintain for International Development, which development programme, since many key enabling the environmental services of the facilitates the transfer of knowledge conditions are in place. First, as a water community Mara River and to enable sustainable to partner agencies and community we now know a great deal about structural and development, the environmental flow associations of water users. operational approaches to dam development that needs of the river must be determined The MaraFlows project is just one of preserve environmental flows in rivers. Second, and protected. more than a dozen ongoing collaborative national policies and institutions across East Africa UNESCO-IHE joined WWF and projects supported by the UNESCO-IHE have been reformed to incorporate principles of other partners in determining an Partnership Research Fund (UPaRF), Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). initial set of environmental flow which is a unique and highly effective Countries like Kenya and Tanzania have taken this recommendations for the Mara River, funding arrangement between the commitment further by passing new water laws which have been endorsed by the Lake Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regulations, assigning the highest priority in Victoria Basin Commission. Now, in (DGIS) and UNESCO-IHE. These water allocation planning to river flows for basic cooperation with the University of Dar combined research and human needs and environmental protection. Third, es Salaam (Tanzania) and Egerton educational programmes I can attest from my own experience that water University (Kenya), UNESCO-IHE draw expertise from authorities in Kenya and Tanzania are serious about is working closely with Kenyan across the research environmental protection and open to collaboration and Tanzanian water authorities to cores of UNESCO- with a range of national and international conduct detailed exploratory studies IHE and match it with stakeholders to achieve environmental objectives. of the relationships between flow and key international UNESCO-IHE is collaborating with water key ecosystem processes, including partners to authorities across East Africa and engaging nutrient and energy regimes in the maximize impact. many university partners in applied research and capacity-building projects. Our efforts, and my optimism, are bolstered by the presence of more than 1100 UNESCO-IHE alumni in the region. The challenges in East Africa are real, but so are the needs. Now is the time for scientifically sound and environmentally sustainable river basin development, and UNESCO-IHE and its partners should remain a positive facilitating force.

Michael McClain is the Head of the Water Engineering Department 11 INTERVIEW Nurturing an environment of academic curiosity

Maria Kennedy was recently appointed Professor of Water Treatment Technology in UNESCO-IHE’s Urban Water and Sanitation Department. In her new post, she also heads the Water Supply Engineering core. UPDATE Magazine interviewed Professor Kennedy about what inspired her throughout her academic career and what priority research areas she will embark on.

Professor Maria Kennedy has 19 years of research The Water Supply Engineering core that Maria Kennedy experience in the field of desalination and membrane heads is involved in the generation and transfer of related technology for potable and industrial water knowledge related to both appropriate low-cost and treatment and reuse. Maria was also involved in several advanced water treatment technologies, and water international training projects in the field of desalinating transport and distribution. The group addresses a brackish water/seawater in the Palestinian National wide range of water treatment issues, including the Authority (West Bank), Jordan, St. Maarten, Israel, further development and wider use of desalination Bahrain, Iran, Oman, and Yemen. and membrane related technology, removal of arsenic, fluoride, iron and manganese from groundwater, low- “I firmly believe that education can play a key role in cost treatment technologies such as natural coagulants eliminating some of inequalities in the world. When I and biofiltration, natural treatment systems such as soil first started working at UNESCO-IHE, I was inspired aquifer treatment, bank filtration and artificial recharge by the idea that I could contribute in some way to and recovery, and water transport and distribution. In the developing the capacities of people in developing future, Professor Kennedy hopes to expand the research countries and countries in transition, and enabling to include advanced disinfection/oxidation processes for people to effectively solve their water issues,” Professor water and wastewater treatment and reuse. NATIONALITY Kennedy explains. “ What is so interesting about this area Irish of work is that it really touches upon everyone’s lives, “One of our key assets is the large number of highly because clean drinking water is something everyone motivated Masters participants and PhD fellows,” she EDUCATION needs. It is a prerequisite for a healthy and sustainable adds. “ The MSc participants come to UNESCO-IHE PhD degree, College of economy and growth thereof. Water is available in holding a Bachelor’s degree and with a few years of Industrial Chemistry & abundance in the developed world, but many of us take it work experience, and most of them have a fixed goal to Material Science, University of for granted. Some of the major issues and bottlenecks in achieve when they return to their home countries. The Limerick, Ireland developing countries concern the treatment of this scarce students are very aware of the real problems in water resource.” treatment and water transport and distribution in the AFFILIATIONS developing world. The work we do here to try and come Member of the Board of Asked about becoming the first full-time female up with solutions for these issues is often conducted in Directors of the European professor at the Institute, she elaborates: “I consider the context of a very diverse group of people in terms Desalination Society (EDS) it a real privilege to have been appointed Professor of of experience, expertise, varying backgrounds and Member of the International Water Treatment Technology in UNESCO-IHE, and to cultures. “In the Masters programme in Water Supply Desalination Association (IDA) follow in the footsteps of Prof. Jan Schippers and Prof. Engineering, we try to create water professionals with Member of the International Gary Amy, both of whom have been a huge source of a broad knowledge of water treatment issues and at Water Association (IWA) inspiration to me during the past 19 years. Becoming a the same time sufficient depth to be able to solve real professor was never one of my main objectives – I simply problems once they return home”. PROJECTS IN THE FIELD really enjoyed all of the educational, research and capacity Professor Maria Kennedy building and training activities that I participated in She continues: “a key priority in the core is to ensure that was involved in numerous over the past 19 years. The fact that this led to over 100 our research results are applied to solve real problems in research and capacity-building Masters theses, 6 PhD theses and over 120 peer-reviewed the developing world. In addition, it is vital to maintain a and training projects in the journal and conference publications was an added bonus. high academic level in our Masters and PhD programmes. Palestinian National Authority (West Bank), Bahrain, The The ultimate goal was always to contribute in some I believe the higher the level of education, the higher the Netherlands, Iran, Jordan, small way to solving real water related problems in the level of success and impact that can be achieved by the Israel, USA, St. Maarten, developing world. MSc participants and PhD fellows after they return to Oman and Yemen. their home countries. ”

12 [email protected] “A key priority is to ensure that our research results are applied to solve real problems”

13 unesco-ihe global partnership SWITCH LODZ – Blue-Green BIRMINGHAM – Green network 2006-2011 & Brown roofs Managing Water for HAMBURG

the City of the Future ZARAGOZA – Stopping leaks

About SWITCH The UNESCO-IHE led SWITCH project has set out to achieve more sustainable urban water management in the “City of the Future”. With support from the EC through its 6th Framework Programme, a consortium of 33 partners from 15 countries have worked together for five years to create innovative sci- BOGOTA – Cleaner pro- entific, technological and socio-economic so- duction for tanneries lutions that can be replicated around the world. ACCRA – Capturing Action research, demonstrations, training and nutrients wide dissemination have created a ‘SWITCH’ CALI in thinking about urban water management.

Why Focus on Cities? By 2030 over 60% of the world’s population will live in cities. This rapid escalation in population combined with climate change, escalating costs and other risks inherent to LIMA – Greening the slums conventional urban water management are causing cities to face ever increasing difficulties in efficiently managing scarcer and less reliable water resources. BELO HORIZONTE – Learning Alliances Rainwater collection and City level “Learning Alliances” are at the heart creek restoration of the SWITCH transition process. These multi-stakeholder platforms have helped break down barriers to information sharing, speeding up the process of uptake and innovation.

2006 > 2007 > 2008 > • SWITCH Kick-off Meeting • Accra, Hamburg, Birmingham and Alexandria create visions • Strategic planning underway in 7 cities • Learning Alliances established in 9 cities for their cities. • SWITCH Scientific Meeting held in Belo Horizonte • Demonstrations begin in Tel Aviv, Lodz and Zaragoza • UNESCO announces SWITCH-in-Asia Pacific • Film documentaries on Accra, Beijing, Lodz and Alexandria • Cali and Lima become SWITCH cities launched at EXPO 08 and World Water Forum • SWITCH Scientific Meeting held in Tel Aviv • Spin off demonstrations in Lodz • International Urban Water Research School established

14 water SECURITY Climate change is increasing the risk of water shortages for many cities. To combat this Alexandria and Zaragoza are finding ways to reduce leakage from the water system. Beij- SWITCH ing and Belo Horizonte are capturing rainwater locally. Other cities are TOOLKIT treating and recycling their water.

Biodiversity/ SWITCH has produced EMSCHER – Restoring Environment river connectivity a wide range of Healthy waterways are fundamental products for cities to to sustainable water management. use as they take the In Bogota cleaner production practices have allowed the tanners to halve journey to sustainability: heavy metal discharges. Brown roofs SWITCH in the City shares the BEIJING – Rainwater and in Birmingham are increasing native mushrooms experiences of twelve global cities TEL AVIV – Natural species habitat and biodiversity with demand-led research, multi- systems for reuse while reducing runoff. stakeholder engagement and scaling up of research projects.

Reduced flooding SWITCH Training Kit includes methods ALEXANDRIA – Sanita- CHONGQING – Landsca- Extreme events are becoming the and tools on Learning Alliances, tion in settlements ping with greywater norm with flooding. In concert with scenario building, water management the community Emscher, Lodz, and options and development of long-term Belo Horizonte are using retention strategies. ponds and natural systems to slow the water down. Birmingham is Climate Adaptation Manual helps cities experimenting with green roofs to to assess their risk and implement plans achieve the same effect. to adapt to climate change using case study examples from around the world.

CityWater decision-making tools allow Food Security cities to explore social, economic, environmental and technical options As cities grow traditional farming for water management. City Water areas are being displaced to make Balance covers aspects of water way for housing, often in the form quality, quantity and lifecycle energy of slums and informal settlements. consumption, City Water Economics Many cities depend on these areas tackles cost recovery options and City for food security. Accra, Tel Aviv and Water Drain assesses stormwater Beijing are exploring ways to retain management and flooding risks. these peri-urban areas by treating and recycling nutrients and waste water. SWITCH Transitioning Manual For research results, provides the framework and the examples to make key step changes products and tools Livability to facilitate a SWITCH towards A city’s livability can be measured by sustainable urban water management visit the SWITCH websites: its citizen’s access to green space and practices. water features. Emscher, Belo Hori- SWITCH Water Sensitive Urban zonte and Lodz are restoring their ri- Design and Sustainable Urban www.switchurbanwater.eu vers to more natural states. Recycled Drainage Manuals provide creative and water is being used in Chongqing for artful ways to incorporate stormwater www.switchtraining.eu landscape enhancement and in the into urban planning along with best Lima slums, landscape plant produc- practice guidelines for stormwater tion is greening the city. management under extreme conditions

2009 > 2010 > 2011 > • 25 cities participate WorldWater Summit in Delft • SWITCH Scientific Meeting in Lodz • SWITCH co-chairs session at WWD and research underpins • SWITCH Scientific Meeting held in Delft • Tel Aviv adopts water sustainability indicators into city UN urban water activities • Lodz City Council adopts Blue-Green network strategic plan • UFMG leads 16 Brazilian Unis. in further research • Cali LA contributes to national policy for upper Cauca river • Peru adopts National guidelines on reuse • UNESCO-IHP hosts final SWITCH conference and adopts SWITCH principles for new developments • Upscaling of SWITCH demonstrations in Lodz, Belo • Beijing patents rainwater system - upscales to ±500 sites Horizonte and Bogota • SWITCH Toolkit available • Zaragoza, UN and SWITCH conference for WWD 15 MISSION REPORT The Australian CWSC has developed a global reputation for managing water systems in times of water stress in reaction to the decade-long droughts across large parts of Australia. Their multi-million dollar flagship project Flooding calls is looking at how the city itself can act as a water supply catchment. This work is supported by a number of fundamental projects on understanding the best way to treat storm water using green infrastructure systems. The aim is UNESCO-IHE to identify the best way to change the current institutional and governance regimes to arrive at a ‘water-sensitive city’ where water, environmental and socio-economic systems are as sustainable as possible. to Australia With the recent catastrophic flooding in the Australian states of Victoria and Queensland, there was a stronger need for collaboration to further develop competencies and understand how to best prepare for, manage and the USA and recover from floods in Australia. The FRG was asked to demonstrate how this is being dealt with in the Netherlands and in other FRG areas of work. Several FRG members were invited to visit Brisbane UNESCO-IHE’s Flood Resilience Group (FRG) (Queensland) to see how the clean-up from this year’s travelled to Australia in mid-February to work with floods has progressed and to share Dutch experience and world-leading competence in this area. The trip the Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CWSC) in was hosted by the International Water Centre (IWC) in Melbourne to find ways of collaborating on water Brisbane. During that visit, Professor Chris Zevenbergen systems and flood resilience. FRG also took part (UNESCO-IHE) gave an explanation on the history of contemporary flood risk management in the Netherlands. in the Resilient Tampa Bay 2011 conference last With officials from the State of Queensland, Brisbane City February in the USA, contributing vital expertise to Council and others, the possibility of joint studies looking improve flood resilience. into clean-up efforts and social networks following the Queensland flooding was discussed. Professor Richard

16 PROJECT REPORT developing a culture of risk prevention

The EU-funded pact. Developing a culture of risk project KULTURisk prevention will require improved awareness of past disasters, com- was recently launched prehension and communication at UNESCO-IHE. of current and future hazards, and The €4.4 million preparedness for future events. To facilitate this process, collaborative project KULTURisk evaluates the ben- coordinated by efits of different risk prevention UNESCO-IHE aims initiatives. After reviewing state- of the-art risk prevention strate- to develop a culture gies, the project will conduct a of risk prevention cost-benefit analysis, comparing through a knowledge- the methodical and structured use of current risk prevention based approach that options to traditional post- assesses the socio- disaster recovery methods. The economic benefits ultimate aim is to use the results of this research to improve public of risk prevention awareness and train professionals techniques. in risk prevention. Water-related hazards are Ashley (FRG) will also contribute to the scientific inquiry The recent catastrophic natural the first focus of the project, in and review by the Chief Scientist of Queensland that is disasters - droughts and heat view of how frequently flood- paralleling the formal legal commission inquiry. waves, devastating flooding, ing takes place. Changes in land Several more formal initiatives have started in addition earthquakes, landslides, volcanic use and climate may increase the to the Dutch-supported assessment of the social aspects eruptions and tsunamis - have had likelihood and adverse impacts of of the clean-up in Brisbane. In addition, a number of joint extreme consequences. Floods water-related catastrophes in the projects combine flood resilience with water-sensitive occur frequently, accounting near future. To identify risks and approaches, identify optimal ways to manage the entire for more than 40% of all natural effective approaches, KULTURisk water cycle and ensure resilience in times of floods and hazards worldwide and half will conduct case studies char- droughts; the lessons learned here will be valuable all over of all deaths caused by natural acterized by different types of the world. catastrophes. In the last dec- water-related hazards (floods, Representatives from UNESCO-IHE’s Flood Resilience ade of the 20th century, floods debris flows and landslides, storm Group also travelled to Florida, USA last February for the were responsible for the loss of surges) and different temporal Resilient Tampa Bay 2011 conference. This three-day about 100,000 human lives and and spatial scales. It is essential to meeting at the University of South Florida brought togeth- affected over 1.4 billion people. research and promote awareness er over 100 local participants with leading Dutch experts The recent catastrophic floods in of prevention measures in con- to develop ideas to prepare Tampa Bay area communities Pakistan, Australia and Japan are trast to the relatively high costs for emergencies such as urban flooding, storm surge and examples of increasing flood risk and severe impact of traditional the long-term threat of rising sea levels. worldwide. The number of flood post-disaster recovery strategies. Recommendations were made for local governments fatalities in Africa has dramati- and planning agencies to consider a number of measures cally increased by more than an to improve flood resilience. These included protecting vi- order of magnitude in the last tal infrastructure and transportation, improving economic 60 years. These dramatic figures development conditions through adequate storm water indicate a need for urgent actions. mitigation, reducing flooding, preserving natural habi- Clearly, risk prevention still tats, planning for accidents and minimizing the impact of needs to be improved to reduce hurricanes and other natural disasters. The State of Florida human losses and economic dam- has more repetitive loss structures - homes or businesses ages. In the KULTURisk project, which have sustained flood losses more than 4 times in the the aim is to prevent disasters last 10 years - than any other state in the USA. There are from happening (if possible) and over 600 repetitive loss structures in the Tampa Bay region. to take steps to reduce their im-

17 www.floodresiliencegroup.org www.kulturisk.eu/home| [email protected] ART PROJECT exploring the boundaries of science and technology building a glacier in the desert

18 Ap Verheggen is a creative artist using a myriad of channels. He makes sculptures, designs objects, writes and produces documentaries. People across the globe are confronted with his sculpture work. For instance, Verheggen’s Terra Incognita, one of On World Water Day, on the the world’s largest bronze art works (52 meters in 22nd of March, Dutch artist and length) is exhibited at the Shell offices in Rijswijk, the Netherlands. He is fascinated by nature and tries filmmaker Ap Verheggen was to incorporate such elements into his sculptures. nominated Cultural Ambassador His work is sometimes referred to as surreal as it connects reality with something unexpected. to UNESCO-IHE. Verheggen’s best-known work to date is ‘cool(E)motion’, an internationally acclaimed art project in which he placed two sculptures on melting icebergs in the Arctic. The artist has now embarked on a new project in which he is exploring options for creating a glacier in the desert.

Through his artworks, Ap Verheggen intends to raise awareness on climate change issues from a different perspective. “SunGlacier is part of a chain of projects that will represent a new mindset on climate change,” the artist said. Verheggen said he was initially inspired by the world of the Arctic and its ancient art, the Inukshuk. As he discovered the harsh environment in which the local communities lived, he found that the speed, flexibility and creativity with which they were able to adapt to changing conditions lent a positive twist to climate change. In Uummannaq, a small town in northwestern Greenland, the temperature rose rapidly from 40°C below zero to 20°C above zero, melting the ice and making it almost impossible for the inhabitants to travel by dog sled, their main means of transportation. The long journeys across the ice to other, smaller villages were no longer possible. Moreover, the way houses were constructed also had to change, since they were built not on bedrock but on permafrost. Permafrost is soil at or below the freezing point of water that has remained frozen for two or more years. Rising temperatures had fundamentally changed the very ground beneath their feet. These and many more events encouraged Verheggen to contemplate the cultural adaptations that climate change brings. He wants to challenge people by introducing a sense of discovery, adventure and curiosity through connecting unrelated and thus unexpected elements of nature. The artist uses this example as a metaphor for the resilience and capacity of human beings to adapt to changes in climate. SunGlacier will show that creating ice in the desert is possible. Although it may seem contradictory or counter-intuitive, the sculpture is going to freeze when it is placed in the sun. The more sunlight it collects, the more ice it will produce. “SunGlacier will demonstrate that a great deal can be achieved with current technology in response to emerging and urgent threats. I would like to jumpstart a creative approach to adapting to climate change, exploring the boundaries of science CULTURAL AMBASSADORSHIP PROGRAMME and technology and realizing the seemingly impossi- The UNESCO-IHE Cultural Ambassadorship programme builds a pact between culture and ble,” the artist said. science. The Institute appoints individuals who possess widely recognized talent in the arts, See the artist’s website for more information on the sciences, literature, entertainment, sport or other fields of public life, bestowing the title SunGlacier, the cool(E)motion project and exhibitions. of Cultural Ambassador on these talented people. These individuals demonstrate a strong desire to help mobilize public interest in and support fo the purposes and principles of UNESCO-IHE, and the United Nations at large. The Cultural Ambassadors demonstrate the commitment and proven potential to raise awareness of the aims, objectives and priorities as outlined in the vision and mission of the organization, thus extending its public outreach. 19 www.apverheggen.nl/exhibitions FIELD REPORT

Recent research by Leonardo Alfonso, UNESCO- IHE post-doc researcher in hydroinformatics, indicates that mobile phones may be used as Local monitoring devices in gathering data. “According to the International Telecommunication Union, there currently are 5.3 billion mobile phones in the world. The potential to utilize this technology communities to collect information is tremendous, provided that we can convince the community to actively participate.” send SMS to MOMOX A Mobile Monitoring Experiment (MOMOX) was thus carried out in 2010 in the Dutch town of Pijnacker where local people were asked to go to help manage the closest water level gauge, read it and use their mobile phones to sms their reading. This data was made available immediately on a website, where participants were able to see their contribution water and decision-makers were able to determine the current state of the water system. For this purpose, a platform was developed to receive, Measuring processes in the hydrological cycle process and display the data. is a vital part of modern water management. In The experiment was carried out in three stages. First, testing was done to check the tech- developing countries the lack of water related data nical platform and correct possible programming for decision-making is a common concern, where errors. Second, a one-day field study with 15 monitoring networks are generally insufficient. participants was carried out in order to analyze possible human errors in the readings. These included observational errors due to the various measuring scales in the existing gauges, but also unexpected errors such as the inability to include the negative symbol when typing some of the SMSes. Some of these technical issues were suc- cessfully solved by comparing the data received with the actual range of the gauges.

RESULTS The experiment showed that in order to involve a sufficient number of participants and keep them motivated, effective communication with the community is imperative. Involving social scientists in future research is therefore a must. Also, finding ways to reduce costs for participants to send their SMS is worth exploring. Finally, privacy issues with regard to obtaining participants’ mobile phone numbers and accessing their location must be considered in larger experiments. To this end, local regulations need to be followed. The technical platform and the successful results of this initial experiment are currently used within the framework of the EU-funded KULTURisk project. This €4.4 million collaborative project coordinated by UNESCO-IHE aims to develop a culture of risk prevention of natural disasters. This requires communication and understanding of current and future hazards. Raising awareness about risks involved using social outreach activities within the local community is under development in the MOMOX 2 experiment. Alfonso elaborates: “The outcomes of this research could serve to reduce the impacts of natural disasters by involving the local community, thus complementing the traditional engineering-only approach. This is currently the case in my country Colombia for instance, which is currently facing catastrophic floodings and landslides, claiming many lives.”

20 www.momox.nl | [email protected] PUBLICATIONS

Urban Hydroinformatics Data, Models and Decision Support for Integrated Urban Water Management This introduction to hydroinformatics as applied to urban water management shows optimal ways to use ICT in processing information for water management in the urban environment. The book covers the acquisition and analysis of data from urban water systems to instantiate mathematical Authors models or calculations that describe identified physical Roland Price and processes. The models are operated within prescribed Zoran Vojinovic management procedures to inform decision makers, who ISBN: 9781843392743 are accountable to designated stakeholders. The models www.iwapublishing.com can be used in managing the major components of the urban water environment, namely water supply, treatment and distribution, wastewater and storm water collection, treatment and impact on receiving waters, and groundwater and urban flooding. Urban Hydroinformatics pays particular attention to modelling, decision support through procedures, economics and management, and implementation in developing countries. Water in Central Asia Past, Present, Future

Les voyageurs de l’eau Authors Victor A. Dukhovny, Interstate Commission Lionel Goujon and Gweael Prie are two French engineers for Water Coordination, Tashkent, who left their work and home for a year to travel around the Uzbekistan; Joop de Schutter, UNESCO-IHE world in search of water issues. This publication is a result Institute for Water Education, Netherlands of their travels, presenting 51 local issues related to water ISBN: 9780415459624 | WWW.CRCPRESS.COM management in various contexts and in various countries. The stories range from cleaning water using UVlight in Central Asia is the cluster of countries located Cambodia, the fight against eutrophication of Lake Titicaca in the basin of the Great Aral Sea. This area, Authors in Peru to the Three Gorges Dam in China. Far from known as Ariana, was once home to the Lionel Goujon theoretical discourse, the situations are real and varied, ancient civilizations of 4000-3000 BC and is & Gwenael Prie richly illustrated and documented. The publication is an important geopolitical centre today, where Ean: 9782100550746 currently only available in French. the USA, Russia, China, EU, Iran and India www.dunod.com participate in the regional water game. The Aral Sea Basin has always been a subject of interest to outside powers as a target of travel or political blame. At the same time, it was a

ROLE OF SEDIMENT source of prosperity and a place of work, Biological Wastewater TRANSPORT IN OPERATION DISSERTATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND BASED Treatment: Principles, IRRIGATION CANALS love, history and strong cultural traditions for Modelling and Design application to machai maira branch canals Full text versions of most of the almost 100 million people. Selling over 1000 copies, UNESCO-IHE PhD dissertations At present, the Aral Sea Basin is shared by this textbook became one of are available through NARCIS. independent states with differing interests that NARCIS provides access to 163, are compelled to collaborate closely in order IWA Publishing’s bestsellers. SARFRAZ MUNIR Biological Wastewater 228 full-text publications and to survive. Much has been written about this

Treatment is used in curricula MINIMIZING THE research output from all Dutch region, but few writers have touched on the USE OF CHEMICALS TO CONTROL at UNESCO-IHE as well as SCALING IN SWRO universities, KNAW, NWO and deeper roots of the historical transformations IMPROVED PREDICTION OF THE SCALING POTENTIAL a number of scientific institutes. that led to the present-day environmental elsewhere. OF CALCIUM CARBONATE degradation. The extremely arid climate in Visit the website at: the region leads to highly sensitive natural and 2010 UNESCO-IHE www.narcis.info/repositories/ social conditions; it is a very fragile balance that Annual Report tarek kamal abdalla waly repository/unesco is easily disturbed by any significant external

The UNESCO-IHE Annual EFFECT OF ALGAL BIOFILM impact or internal innovation. Thorough analysis AND OPERATIONAL CONDITIONs ON NITROGEN REMOvAL IN wAsTEwATER Report for 2010 can be read sTABILIzATION PONDs Alternatively you can also of both the positive ambitions of the region and downloaded from the purchase the dissertations from and negative consequences they may have website at http://www. CRC Press/Balkema, will provide vital insight into why important unesco-ihe.org/About/ Taylor & Francis Group development initiatives of the recent past have Annual-Report. www.crcpress.com always produced such negative consequences. mohammed babu

21 PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT Addressing the Sanitation Crisis in African Slums

Unsewered slums in African mega- cities face huge sanitation problems. Affordable and effective solutions are urgently needed. The Sanitation Crisis in Unsewered Slum Areas (SCUSA) project, supported by the UNESCO-IHE Partnership Research Fund in partnership with Makerere University and the Kampala City Council in Uganda, aims to identify and implement low- cost sanitation solutions. Map of the Bwaise-III Parish, Fetching water from the spring the demonstration site of the SCUSA Project

The SCUSA project has been addressing sanitation issues maintain them. However, only about 25% of the popula- in the poorest parts of African mega-cities for three years tion living in Bwaise III pays for their sanitation when visit- now, with one more year to go. The aim is to identify and ing those raised superstructures. The fee is either paid per implement potential solutions, monitor their progress visit, on a flat monthly basis, as part of the house rent, or as and evaluate how useful they have been. The project has a contribution in emptying the pit latrine. The rest of the a demonstration site in the Bwaise III slum in Kampala, population (75%) does not pay anything, although they Uganda, located about 4 km from the city centre. At this also visit those raised superstructures. In addition, open stage in the project, it is possible to present some of the defecation and the use of ‘flying toilets’ (plastic bags) are important findings so far. common. Most of the research work is carried out by four Emptying the pit latrines is still a difficult task. The UNESCO-IHE PhD students, who focus on hydrology, lack of easy road access means that trucks cannot enter sanitary engineering, and socio-economics in relation the area, so the latrines are usually emptied manually. to sanitation in slums. The PhD students are assisted in Common practice is to simply hammer a hole in the wall their work by numerous MSc students from Makerere of the pit latrine, allowing the contents to flow freely into University, UNESCO-IHE, VU University Amsterdam, one of the neighbouring drains. This approach leads to Utrecht University and EFPL in Lausanne, Switzerland. various kinds of adverse effects related to both nutrients The research has revealed that the majority of sanita- and health. tion facilities available in the slum are raised pit latrines. In the coming year, the researchers working on the The largest part of the pit is above the ground surface SCUSA project will examine the entire nutrient pollution in order to avoid contact with the groundwater only chain. In addition, more pathogen work will be done, as 10-50 cm below the surface. As a result, extremely high some of the first research results indicated that various levels of nitrogen and phosphorus were found in most pathogenic viruses (rotavirs, adenovirus, hepatitis-A) of the surface water in Bwaise, sufficient to cause severe were present in surface waters in fairly high concentra- eutrophication. This surface water consists mostly of grey tions. Finally, efforts will be made to reduce nutrient water originating from household use, which is sometimes concentrations through sanitation interventions. These diluted with rain water. The nutrient concentration and include installing a number of grey water filters in Bwaise, the volumes of total nutrient mass leaving the area are assessing filter performance in the field and requesting also very high. Improved sanitary facilities could solve the user feedback, as well as researching the socio-economics problem, but there is no money in Bwaise to build and of fecal sludge.

22 www.unesco-ihe.org/scusa | [email protected] MSc PROGRAMMES Joint Masters are booming

Joint MSc programmes offer exciting opportunities to work with international academic partners, each contributing its own specific complementary expertise. Decentralized delivery of existing specializations offered in Delft is the primary focus here. In line with this development, UNESCO-IHE’s proposal for a new Master’s programme on flood risk management has been approved for funding by the Erasmus Mundus grant committee.

The new MSc will be offered in a consortium of four European universities, supported by a number of research institutes and key national organizations responsible for flood management. During the two- year programme, students will do three semesters of coursework, rotating through the four participating universities: Dresden University of Technology (Germany), UNESCO-IHE (The Netherlands), the Technical University of Catalonia (Spain), and the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). The courses in the programme cover a wide range of topics relevant to flood risk management, including hydro-meteorological processes, modelling for planning, forecasting, control and decision support, hazard mapping, urban flood disasters, climate change, and socio-economic and institutional aspects of flood risk management. Each semester provides electives, and there are international field trips. In the final semester of the programme, the students conduct research and write a thesis, either at one of the participating universities or at an industrial partner. Associated members that offer these Master-level research positions include the European hydrau- lics laboratories of DHI (Denmark), Deltares (The Netherlands) and HR Wallingford (UK), as well as national authorities responsible for flood management in the Netherlands, Japan and elsewhere. The flood risk professionals graduating from the programme will have a broad vision of the processes occurring in river basins and in coastal zones at different spatial and temporal scales. They will be able to master the links between systems, processes and natural and socio-economic constraints that affect all the aspects of the water cycle. Various other joint programmes have already started on such topics as hydroinformatics, water supply engineering and sanitary engineering, and land and water development, in partnership with universities in Colombia, Ghana and Thailand. The first batch of students in the Erasmus Mundus programme on ecohydrology started in 2010 in a consortium of four universities. In addition, in 2011 the Erasmus Mundus programme on environmental technology and engineering will be offered in a consortium with Ghent University (Belgium) and the Institute of Chemical Technology Prague (Czech Republic). Initial steps have been taken with several other partner institutes to explore options for additional joint programmes in future. Joint programmes currently being considered include agricultural water management for arid and semi-arid climates in conjunction with Haramaya University (Ethiopia), and hydrology and water resources in conjunction with HoHai Taking a fresh sample of a stormwater drain by PhD student Alex Katukiza and University (China). MSc student Hayelom Temanu, both from UNESCO-IHE 23 www.unesco-ihe.org/education/joint-programmes PAST EVENTS

10 FEBRUARY 24 FEBRUARY BUILDING WATER AND 100th PhD DEGREE CAPACITIES PEACE AWARDED TO IN SARFRAZ MUNIR MONGOLIA On 24 February, Sarfraz Munir success- In the World Bank-sponsored fully defended his doctoral dissertation project ‘Strengthening and was awarded a PhD degree for his Integrated Water Resources research on the role of sediment transport Management in Mongolia’, in the operation and maintenance of UNESCO-IHE is responsible supply- and demand-based irrigation for the capacity development canals, as applied to the Machai Maira component. The first training Branch canals. This study investigated the courses were conducted in hydrodynamic relationships that can pre- 100th PhD graduate since the first 2010, and a Mongolian vent sediment deposition in downstream, degree was awarded in 1994. Since the university team visited the controlled, demand-based irrigation Institute started its PhD programme in the Institute for a curriculum UNESCO-IHE and the UN- canals, while catering to the crop water early 1990s, over 200 researchers have training event. These train- Mandated University for Peace requirements of the area. It has been been registered. Currently, over 130 ing courses will aid three (UPEACE, based in Costa Rica) have found that the maintenance needs can be PhD fellows are working at the Institute Mongolian universities in decided to combine their exper- minimized by managing sediment trans- on a number of research projects. setting up a joint Master’s tise and knowledge on water and port through better canal operation and programme in Integrated www.unesco-ihe.org/research conflict resolution by establishing management. Munir is UNESCO-IHE’s Water Resource Management a joint initiative on the topic of See a video interview with Sarfraz Munir: www.unesco-ihe.org/About/UPDATE-Magazine (IWRM) with the purpose of water and peace. To this end, a enabling Mongolia to train its Memorandum of Understanding 10 FEBRUARY own water professionals in between the two institutions was the longer term. The country signed by the two Rectors on 10 JOINT DOUBLE DEGREES has a largely arid climate and February in Delft. The Institutes will AWARDED TO INDONESIANS suffers from depletion of develop a complementary research groundwater resources, which agenda on water and peace, the ex- Ten Indonesian students are currently the main water change of teachers in relevant post- graduated from the joint sources for drinking water and graduate programmes and joint double degree MSc pro- animal husbandry. Increasing supervision of research students on gramme on Integrated Lowland urbanization combined with projects of mutual interest. A joint Development and Management a vulnerable climate make it lecture series will allow for further Planning. The programme is extremely urgent to organize integration of the specializations of jointly given with Sriwijaya Mongolia’s water resources UNESCO-IHE (water) and UPEACE University in Palembang, South more effectively. Consortium (conflict resolution), from which Sumatra, Indonesia. The first partners include Deltares and students of both institutions would batch of students graduated Royal Haskoning. benefit. This is an outcome of the earlier in February 2010, also [email protected] colloquium on the right to water and in a group of ten students. The water rights in a changing world, programme is especially suited organized on 22 September 2010 for Indonesian government staff at ministry, provincial, district and municipal levels in Delft by the Netherlands IHP who are involved in lowland development and management planning, both rural and Committee, UNESCO-IHE, CPWC urban. The programme will be conducted for several years to come and is supported and other partners. by the Indonesian National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) and NUFFIC NESO Indonesia. www.unesco-ihe.org/research

See video interviews with Rector Badia Perizade and Professor Robiyanto Hendro Susanto on the website: www.unesco-ihe.org/About/UPDATE-Magazine.

22 MARCh 2011 WATER AND GOVERNANCE CULTURAL WORLD WATER DAY UNESCO-IHE co-organized a UNESCO workshop on AMBASSADOR International World Water Day is held annually on 22 water and governance with the Netherlands National The day also marked the nomination March as a means of focusing attention on the importance Commission for UNESCO, the Netherlands National of Dutch artist and filmmaker Ap of freshwater and advocating the sustainable manage- Committee IHP-HWRP and the Co-operative Programme Verheggen as Cultural Ambassador ment of freshwater resources. Responding to the urban on Water and Climate (CPWC). The event took place at to the Institute (see pages 18-19). challenge, ‘Water for Cities’ was this year’s theme. The the Delfland Water Board in Delft. The workshop focused African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) joined on concepts and implementation of water governance at View his lunch seminar presentation UN-HABITAT and UN-Water in co-organizing the official various levels. The day concluded with a roundtable dis- online at www.unesco-ihe.org/ World Water Day 2011 event in Cape Town, South Africa. cussion and the opening of the Water Governance Centre. About/UPDATE-Magazine.

24 27 april MSc GRADUATION

155 Masters of Science participants from 40 countries received their degree during the annual UNESCO-IHE graduation ceremony on 27 April. The Old Church in Delft served as a picturesque location for the official academic gathering. Rector, Professor András Szöllösi-Nagy, welcomed the graduating water professionals to the large alumni family, followed by the graduation speech of Mr. Engida Getachew, Deputy Director General of UNESCO, an address by Mr. Theo van de Gazelle, Deputy Director General Rijkswaterstaat (the executive arm of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment) and a short speech by student representatives Ms. Sikhukulekile Ncube (Zimbabwe) and Mr. Satish Kamboj (India). At the occasion of the graduation, the Institute also recognized Professor Philip O’ Kane who is a renowned and outstanding hydrologist, Honorary Fellow of UNESCO-IHE. The ceremony was attended by participants’ family and friends, members of parliament, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rijkswaterstaat. High-level guests also included ambassadors (and representatives) from Cameroon, Honduras, Hungary, Iraq, Luxembourg, Palestine, Romania, Serbia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam.

See the website for video captures of the day: www.unesco-ihe.org/About/UPDATE-Magazine

1-4 MAY 2011 27 april 11 april WATER FOR FOOD CONTINUED COLLABORATION INDONESIAN WITH DUTCH MINISTRY WINS The third annual Global Water for Food Conference was hosted by the Robert B. A new agreement between the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and GOLDMAN Daugherty Water for Food Institute at Environment and UNESCO-IHE was signed on 27 April. The deal further PRIZE the University of Nebraska and the Bill & strengthens the longstanding cooperation between the two organiza- The Goldman Environmental Prize Melinda Gates Foundation. tions and will focus on priority areas. These priority areas are the Delta was awarded to Prigi Arisandi for his International experts explored countries in which UNESCO-IHE is very active as well as in China and the river restoration work in Indonesia potential solutions for growing USA. These countries are of strategic importance in building Government on 11 April. Arisandi is a former more food with limited water to Government relations and in the transfer and exchange of knowledge. UNESCO-IHE online course partici- to feed the world’s rapidly growing popula- Water management is a priority for these countries. Main activities under pant (class of 2007) and was one tion. The conference fostered international the MoU will cover projects related to Coastal Zone Management, River of six people in continental regions dialogue on key issues related to the use of Basin Management, Water Quality and Quantity, Floods and Safety, worldwide to earn the annual prize. water for agriculture. Earlier in February of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Wetlands Management, River and Coastal The Goldman Environmental Prize is this year, a high-level delegation from the Engineering, as well as Water Governance and Adaptation to Climate the world’s largest annual prize hon- University of Nebraska visited the Institute Change as cross-cutting and emerging issues. The signing marks the third oring grassroots environmentalists. to explore potential collaboration between phase of the formal cooperation between the two entities that started in Winners receive $150,000 and the University of Nebraska’s Global Water 2003 and is expected to run until 2014. a national platform that promotes [email protected] for Food Institute and UNESCO-IHE. This worldwide awareness of their is- led to the signing of an MoU during the sues. Arisandi plans to use the prize Conference. The two Institutes agreed money to establish a school focused to look more closely at developing a joint on teaching about the conservation Master’s specialization, student exchange of natural springs, bringing profes- opportunities and joint research activities. sionals from all over Indonesia to show them how the forest works, to See video interviews with Ronnie Green, Vice help them see the importance of re- Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture specting the water. See the October and Natural Resources and Vice President at the issue of UPDATE Magazine for an University of Nebraska, and Prem Paul, Vice interview with Arisandi. Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of Nebraska. P. Arisandi, [email protected] www.unesco-ihe.org/About/UPDATE-Magazine

FLASHMOB DUTCH YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UN A surprise late-afternoon flashmob Go online to see a video interview with Dirk Janssen, Dutch youth rep- on the Delft market square by resentative to the United Nations. Since his election at the end of 2010 MSc students, PhD fellows and at the 65th anniversary of the UN, Janssen has expressed a preference staff members from UNESCO-IHE to address water-related issues during his two-year term as UN Youth attracted around 60 to 70 people Representative. Janssen attended the World Water Day celebrations in who were dancing the African Cape Town, South Africa and was interviewed by IRC’s Dick de Jong. Vul’indlela dance. Interested passers-by joined in and made the See an interview with Dirk Janssen: http://watercube.blip.tv/file/4917536 day even more memorable. Follow Dirk’s efforts on Twitter: @dirknaardevn

25 STAFF NEWS

INTERVIEW STEFAN UHLENBROOK Stefan Uhlenbrook, Professor of Hydrology at UNESCO-IHE, was recently appointed as the part-time Interim Director of Development for Academic Affairs, a position he will hold until the new Vice Rector for Academic Affairs takes office. The appointment of an interim director and the establishment of an Education Bureau at the beginning of the year are in line with key recommendations in the MSc programme accreditation process. In this interview, Professor Uhlenbrook elaborates on his vision and ideas for the Institute.

“I am convinced that we have entered an exciting phase; I envision capitalizing on opportunities to set up a global campus as a means to strengthen international academic collaboration and intensify existing relations with partners and institutes,” Uhlenbrook said. “ We don’t need to wait another five years; we can start by sharing the impact of our academic work by adopting the OpenCourseWare concept, making lectures, data sets and other work available online.”

Global Water Research School “I am strongly committed to the idea of local partners. The ultimate goal is the joint components, while maintaining academic developing a global water research school, in development of innovative and sustainable depth. “It is difficult to find the right balance, which the PhD programme is strengthened solutions to water problems.” but we need to produce graduate students, and intensified with our partners,” future alumni, who are employable and go on Uhlenbrook continues. “Continuing this Lifelong and T-shaped to have maximum impact in their work, inside trend at UNESCO-IHE is vital. People want Developing coherent programmes to support the water sector and beyond.” to develop joint, fully fledged MSc, PhD and continuous professional development UNESCO-IHE covers all the key water issues post-graduate programmes and see us as their and lifelong learning is key. “Maintaining from different perspectives and disciplines. research partner. Building strong research up-to-date knowledge and skills is a “ We have strong components in engineering programmes with partners in the South is prerequisite for staying employable. We and natural sciences, and are increasingly important; there is a tremendous need for need to address capacity development focusing on social and political sciences as trained local people who can adapt existing needs for (water) professionals more well,” Uhlenbrook elaborates. “Since all water knowledge to the very specific, integrated and systematically.” Uhlenbrook emphasizes the issues are complex, the solutions originating local solutions needed. We may be involved stronger focus on delivering T-shaped water from only one discipline are usually not as trainers or lecturers, act as a sounding professionals by diversifying education and sustainable, so an integrated and coordinated board for ideas or become co-researchers with including management and entrepreneurial approach is needed.”

STAFF CHANGES

appointed personnel Ilyas Masih Changed positions Departing staff NEW DEPARTMENT Leonardo Alfonso Segura Lecturer in Water Resources Planning Guiliano di Baldassarre Eddy Akinyemi Newly established Education Post-doc in Hydroinformatics for Paolo Paron Senior Lecturer in Hydroinformatics Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Urban Bureau Flood Modelling Senior Lecturer in Hydraulic System Infrastructure Systems Arthur Mynett Engineering & River Basin Karin Hijma Petru Boeriu CHANGED DEPARTMENTS Professor of Hydraulic Engineering Development Senior Human Resource Advisor Associate Professor of River Personnel & Organisation to Maria Rusca Stephanie Petitjean Arthur Mynett Engineering Human Resources Management Senior Lecturer in Management & Fellowship and Admission Officer Professor of Hydraulic Engineering Jay O’Keefe Organisation of Sanitation Nora Cauwenbergh Micha Werner Professor of Freshwater Ecosystems CS - ICT to IT Department Sergio Salinas Rodríguez Lecturer in Water Resource Planning Associate Professor of Roel Meulepas Lecturer in Water Treatment Solomon Seyoum Hydraulic Engineering Post-doc Research Fellow Technology Lecturer in Urban Drainage and Nigel Wright Ewout Heeringa Sewerage Professor of Hydraulic Engineering & Social & Cultural Officer Hector Garcia Hernandez River Basin Development Lecturer in Sanitary Engineering Elena Ostrovskaya Lecturer in Environmental Policy 26 Prof. Mynett, who previously held the position Professor of part-time professor of environmental hydroinformatics with the HIKM Department and Delft University of Technology, has over 30 years of Arthur Mynett experience in R&D on civil and maritime engineering. He has done extensive R&D on applications is new Professor of information and communication technologies in IN MEMORIAM environmental hydroscience and engineering. His of Hydraulic career in consultancy extends over 25 years; he has PAUL POST worked worldwide in the fields of hydrodynamics, Engineering coastal engineering, maritime structures, water Paul Post, who worked resources management, environmental modelling for more than 30 years UNESCO-IHE is pleased to announce the ap- and software systems development. During the as a Senior Lecturer in pointment of Professor Arthur Mynett as the new last 15 years, Prof. Mynett has also gained exten- Sanitary Engineering at Professor of Hydraulic Engineering and head of the sive experience in strategic and corporate research UNESCO-IHE, Delft, Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development management, including strategic planning as well The Netherlands, passed away on 1 Core in the Water Engineering Department. Prof. as human resources and financial management of January 2011. He had retired from the Mynett started in his new position per 1 January organizations. Institute in 2004. He had a passion for 2011. The Institute is looking forward to his contri- teaching and was described by many as a butions to the core and the Institute as a whole. See page 7: Column Arthur Mynett, [email protected] man who was outgoing, sociable, funny and extremely dedicated to the profession of teaching. His former colleagues characterized him as a typical civil engineer, practical and down to earth, focusing on practical and applicable science and engineering in a development context - a mission he fully dedicated himself to. As a mentor to the many (graduating) participants, he had an open-door policy: always approachable and ready to assist. Having travelled and lived in many countries, including Barbados, Palestine and Yemen, he was able to use much of his experience as case studies in the classroom.

IN MEMORIAM PETER LEEUWANGH

Peter Leeuwangh, Professor guest lecturer in toxi- cology, passed away Philip O’Kane on 2 January 2011. Leeuwangh started teaching at the Institute in 1974 and re- awarded tired last year. He was highly motivated by the enthusiasm brought in by the UNESCO-IHE students. In an earlier interview with Dr. Leeuwangh for the last issue of UPDATE Honorary Magazine, he said: “I am happy to see that the world has gradually become Fellowship a different place and there is a better understanding of an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges. Knowing that many UNESCO-IHE Professor Philip O’Kane was awarded the over 30 years. He has contributed significantly alumni form part of this global network UNESCO-IHE Honorary Fellowship in April during to the establishment of a strong identity for hy- of change gives me great comfort. It was the Institute’s Master of Science academic gradua- drology within the family of geophysical sciences. such a great pleasure to have taught at tion ceremony. Professor O’Kane has contributed He served as the president for Hydrological the Institute.” significantly to enhancing the quality of education Sciences of the European Geophysical Society and research in Hydrology and Hydroinformatics and restructured the Hydrological Science section and has supported the activities of UNESCO-IHE to highlight Hydrology as a Geoscience and to Appointment of the UNESCO-IHE Honorary for several decades. For this reason UNESCO-IHE differentiate it clearly from Applied Hydrology. Fellowship in a learned or professional society awards him Honorary Fellow of the Institute. O’Kane spent most of his professional life as can be either to honour exceptional achievement and/or service within the professional domain Professor O’Kane is an Irish civil engineer and a an academic at the universities of Dublin and of the awarding body or to honour contributions distinguished member of the international hydro- later Cork, where he is currently a Professor of related to the domain from someone who is logical community who lectured at the Institute for Civil Engineering. professionally outside it. 27 ONLINE WATER RESOURCES At your fingertips

online learning tool zotero Zotero is seamlessly meshed with Sustainable Sanitation and Water Sharing research online resources. Because Zotero Management Toolbox results has never is integrated into your browser, it can detect when users are view- been easier ing a book, article, or other object Zotero is an easy-to-use research online. On many major research tool that helps you gather, organize, sites and online library catalogues, it and analyze your sources, includ- can automatically save full refer- ing citations, full texts, web pages, ence details on what you’re looking images, and other objects, offering at, storing title, author, publication a range of options for you to share date and much more in the correct the results of your research. Zotero fields. Designed for optimal online includes the best features of older use, it can easily send and receive reference manager software like information from other web services EndNote, such as the ability to store and applications. Zotero also has author, title, and publication fields plug-ins for OpenOffice and MS and to export that information as Word, so you can keep track of your formatted references. However, as references in the journal-specific a Firefox browser extension, Zotero style of your choice. And it can The Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management also incorporates the best features of be used offline as well, handy for (SSWM) Toolbox is a free and integrative online learning web applications, allowing users to frequent flyers. tool, particularly useful for water practitioners at the local interact, tag, and search for sources level. It can also be used as an excellent and comprehensive in advanced ways. Will Zotero be the next-generation information pool for students and as a ready-made training tool for citing and managing your tool for all those working in the water sector. sources? Find out whether this tool The Toolbox recognizes that sectoral approaches are not will improve your work efficiency, going to solve the global water and sanitation crisis. It high- and share your experiences with us! lights that we need holistic approaches and must consider the entire water cycle from source to sea, and back again, www.zotero.org putting human influence on the water and nutrient cycle at the centre. The SSWM Toolbox allows users to find relevant information and plan their own approaches from a holistic perspective. It combines process and planning tools, software and technological approaches and links them with publications, articles and websites, case studies, training material and presentations. The Toolbox was developed by Seecon in cooperation with a number of partners, including CapNet, Global Water Partnership, International Water Association, UNDP, Water TheWaterChannel.tv revamped Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and preferences. There is a lot of new many others. TheWaterChannel.tv launched the content, including news, cartoons www.sswm.info redesign of its website on World and the Video Features archive. Water Day, 22 March. The site is TheWaterChannel is now a fully now more user-friendly, making it fledged portal, showcasing recent even easier to find videos that are and upcoming activities, includ- interesting and relevant to your ing webinars and online contests. A range of interactive tools will be introduced soon, including an ‘Opinions’ section to support discus- sion among the community of water enthusiasts.

Please visit TheWaterChannel web- In every issue of UPDATE Magazine, we would like to share relevant online site and offer your feedback. resources with you for use by water professionals and others interested in water-related teaching and reference materials and scientific research findings, www.thewaterchannel.tv sharing the best (and worst) practices from the field. Send an email to update@ unesco-ihe.org if you wish to share websites, blogs, twitter feeds, networks or communities with our readers.

28 COURSE INFORMATION | 2011| 2012 Innovative learning at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education equips professionals with the research, managerial and technical skills needed to deal with challenges in the fields of water, the environment and infrastructure in their countries. For the latest information on the above courses, including content, dates, duration and tuition fees, please see our website: www.unesco-ihe.org/education.

MSc PROGRAMMES SHORT COURSES 2011|2012

MSc PROGRAMME IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Applied Groundwater Modelling 14.06 - 01.07.11 Environmental Planning and Management Db Aquatic Ecosystems: Processes and Applications 14.06 - 01.07.11 Environmental Science and Technology Db Environmental Systems Modelling 14.06 - 01.07.11 Environmental Technology and Engineering Jem Flood Risk Management 14.06 - 01.07.11 Environmental Technology for Sustainable Development Jdd Industrial Effluents Treatment and Residuals Management 14.06 - 01.07.11 Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems J Managing Water Organisations 14.06 - 01.07.11 Water Quality Management Db Urban Water Systems Modelling 14.06 - 01.07.11 Water Treatment Processes and Plants 14.06 - 01.07.11 MSc PROGRAMME IN MUNICIPAL WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE Decentralised Water Supply and Sanitation 04.07 - 22.07.11 Sanitary Engineering Db | Jdd Public-Private Partnerships in the Water Sector 04.07 - 22.07.11 Urban Water Engineering and Management Jdd Solid Waste Management 04.07 - 22.07.11 Water Supply Engineering Db | Jdd Watershed and River Basin Management 04.07 - 22.07.11 Water Transport and Distribution II 04.07 - 22.07.11 MSc PROGRAMME IN WATER MANAGEMENT Climate Change in Integrated Water Management 04.07 - 22.07.11 Water Conflict Management Db Modelling Urban Drainage and Sewerage 04.07 - 22.07.11 Water Resources Management Db Remediation and Handling of Contaminated Sediments * 29.08 - 02.09.11 Water Services Management Db Spate Irrigation and Water Management under Drought and Water Scarcity 05.09 - 16.09.11 Water Quality Management Db Morphological Modeling Using Delft3D * 12.09 - 16.09.11 World History of Water Management * 12.09 - 16.09.11 MSc PROGRAMME IN WATER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Soil and Water Assessment Tool * 19.09 - 23.09.11 Agricultural Water Management for Enhanced Land and Water Productivity Jdd Membranes in Drinking & Industrial Water Treatment * 03.10 - 07.10.11 Ecohydrology Jem GIS and Remote Sensing 31.10 - 11.11.11 Flood Risk Management Jem GIS Modelling SWAT 31.10 - 11.11.11 Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development Db Coastal Systems 16.01 - 03.02.12 Hydraulic Engineering - Coastal Engineering and Port Development Db | J Coastal and Port Structures I 13.02 - 02.03.12 Hydraulic Engineering - Land and Water Development Db Conventional Surface Water Treatment 13.02 - 02.03.12 Hydroinformatics - Modelling and Information Systems for Water Management Db | J | Jdd Water Quality Assessment 13.02 - 02.03.12 Hydrology and Water Resources Db | J Negotiation and Mediation for Water Conflict Management I 13.02 - 02.03.12 Integrated Lowland Development and Management Planning J Lake Ecology ** 20.02 - 09.03.12 Db Delft-based MSc specialisation Coastal and Port Structures II 05.03 - 23.03.12 J Joint programme Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment 05.03 - 23.03.12 Jdd Joint double degree programme Environmental Engineering 05.03 - 23.03.12 Jem Joint Erasmus Mundus programme Environmental Policy Making 05.03 - 23.03.12 Groundwater Resources and Treatment 05.03 - 23.03.12 Negotiation and Mediation for Water Conflict Management II 05.03 - 23.03.12 ONLINE COURSES 2011|2012 Stream and River Ecology ** 12.03 - 30.03.12 Nanotechnology for Water Technology 28.03 - 08.04.12 Cleaner Production and the Water Cycle 01.09 - 31.12.11 Advanced Water Treatment Technology 02.04 - 20.04.12 Public Private Partnerships 01.09 - 31.12.11 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling 02.04 - 20.04.12 Solid Waste Management 01.09 - 31.12.11 Environmental Planning and Implementation 02.04 - 20.04.12 IWRM as a Tool for Adaptation to Climate Change 01.09 - 31.12.11 Financial Management of Water Organisations 02.04 - 20.04.12 Water Transport and Distribution 01.09 - 31.12.11 Groundwater Exploration and Monitoring 02.04 - 20.04.12 Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment 01.09 - 31.12.11 Hydrological Data Collection and Processing 02.04 - 20.04.12 Participatory Approaches to Sanitation * 01.09 - 31.12.11 Integrated Asset Management Systems 02.04 - 20.04.12 Sanitation, Hygiene and Public Health * 01.09 - 31.12.11 River Basin Modelling 02.04 - 20.04.12 Greywater Management, Treatment and Use * 01.09 - 31.12.11 Service Oriented Management of Irrigation Systems 02.04 - 20.04.12 Finances and Economic Instruments in Sanitation * 01.09 - 31.12.11 Resource Oriented Sanitation 02.04 - 20.04.12 Decision Support Systems in River Basin Management 15.09 - 30.11.11 Water Resources Planning 02.04 - 20.04.12 Modelling Sanitation Systems 01.11 - 29.02.11 East-African Wetlands for Water Quality ** 04.04 - 22.04.12 Service Oriented Management of Irrigation Systems 15.01 - 15.05.12 Fisheries and Aquaculture ** 30.04 - 18.05.12 Flood Modelling for Management 01.03 - 15.05.12 Integrated Coastal Zone Management 23.04 - 04.05.12 Ecological Sanitation 01.03 - 30.06.12 International Port Seminar 23.04 - 11.05.12 Integrated Coastal Zone Management 01.03 - 30.06.12 Cleaner Production and the Water Cycle 23.04 - 11.05.12 Integrated River Basin Management 01.03 - 30.06.12 Tracer Hydrology and Flow System Analysis 23.04 - 11.05.12 Sanitation-related Urban Groundwater Pollution 01.03 - 30.06.12 Urban Flood Modelling and Disaster Management 26.04 - 13.05.12 Water Quality Assessment 01.03 - 30.06.12 Water and Environmental Law and Institutions 23.04 - 11.05.12 Wetland Management 01.03 - 30.06.12 Water Transport and Distribution I 23.04 - 11.05.12 Policy and Management in Developing Countries 01.03 - 30.06.12 Modelling Wastewater Treatment Processes and Plants 23.04 - 11.05.12 Biological WastewaterTreatment: Principles, Modeling and Design 01.03 - 30.06.12 Introduction to River Flood Modelling 23.04 - 11.05.12 Water and Environmental Law and Policy 01.04 - 15.07.12 Environment and Global Change: Uncertainty & Risk Assessment 01.05 - 11.05.12 * These online courses are NOT eligible for NFP fellowships. * These short courses are NOT eligible for NFP fellowships. ** These short courses are held at Egerton University in Kenya. 29 www.unesco-ihe.org/education Let’s keep in touch!

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The official UNESCO-IHE Alumni group on LinkedIn was launched recently. As a sub-group of the UNESCO-IHE LinkedIn group, it is only open to UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education/ IHE Delft alumni. This group aims to strengthen the alumni network and facilitate contact between alumni and the Institute. All alumni are invited to actively participate in discussions and share water & environment-related events, vacancies, best practices, research and projects.

Enjoy being LinkedIn to your fellow alumni and UNESCO-IHE!

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