Fellowship Trust Fund

Build the future with us and donate if:

• You believe people have a basic right to receive clean water and sanitation;
• You think people should be protected from floods and droughts;
• You are concerned about environmental degradation;

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a commitment of the international community, and state to halve the number of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. Capable professionals are needed to reach these objectives, and to maintain the investments made in the water sector.

Training water professionals

This daunting challenge is one that UNESCO-IHE is willing to address, by training water professionals who can improve the quality, services and management of water resources in the areas where it is most needed.

Master's of Science

One of the primary ways that UNESCO-IHE helps to achieve this is through the Master of Science programmes. Every year, some 1,400 mid-career professionals – most of them from developing countries and countries in transition – apply for these accredited programmes.

They see it as their gateway to gaining the knowledge they require to improve water and environmental conditions in their home country.

Most of the professionals who want to join one of UNESCO-IHE’s Programmes do not have the necessary resources to cover the costs of their studies. The Fellowship Trust Fund collects funds to support their educational ambitions.

Meet UNESCO-IHE Alumni

Nabiul Islam (40) is a Civil Engineer, and worked as a Roads and Drainage Engineer in Bangladesh before joining the Institute.

After his studies, he joined the Urban Development Unit in the local Government of Dhaka, and intends to set up an NGO to improve the infrastructure in Dhaka slums.

“At UNESCO-IHE I learned what an integrated approach to urban development is, how to design projects, make a financial planning, and develop scenarios for optimisation. I have been exposed to experiences from many developing countries. This knowledge equips me to do better things for my country.”

Sherwan Qurtas, a 29 year-old Iraqi engineer, describes the Institute as “a great opportunity to gain experience, to get expertise in water from an international perspective and to build a professional network of people from around the world”.

He left his parents and eight brothers and sisters behind in the Kurdistan region in order to pursue an 18-month MSc programme.

Upon returning to his family, he put into practice what he has learnt. “We have incredible water resources, but still people lack basic services.

Many projects are going to be implemented and many more qualified specialists are needed to address these water challenges. I will be one of them and will make sure that the investments deliver tangible results."

Sherwan and Nabiul, and others alike, depend on the generosity of donors who contribute to the Fellowship Trust Fund. Contributions will directly help finance the expertise needed to meet the vitally important MDGs. The Fund is independently administered and annually accounts for its operations.

Every contribution is directed towards its equivalent value in terms of output.

Bank transfer

I hereby authorise the IHE Foundation to receive a one-off amount of € ____ for the Fellowship Trust Fund (account number 51.68.20.923).

• Name
• Organisation
• Postal Address
• Postcode/ city
• E-mail address
• Account number ____ (Dutch bank accounts only)
• Date Signature

Please send this bank transfer in a sealed envelope to:

UNESCO-IHE
Antwoordnummer 11025
2600 VC Delft

Thank you for your donation!