2010 celebration of 132 Masters of Science graduates

The lengthy procession, a colourful array of academic and traditional attire worn by the academic staff members, the students, their family and friends, attracted much attention from the passersby on the streets. As the Cortège continued to lead the parade on foot, a short five-minute walk from the Institute to the Old Church, traffic stopped, tourists halted their march and citizens of Delft collectively gazed upon the group with much joy and excitement.

Procession Closing Ceremony 2010
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"Water connects and does not divide"

Professor András Szöllösi-Nagy, Rector of UNESCO-IHE, opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone. Many, including family members who travelled far, honorary guests, members of the diplomatic community, IHE Foundation Board members, UNESCO-IHE Governing Board members, representatives of the Dutch government and UNESCO National Commission for the Netherlands, found themselves listening to the Rector as he continued to address the 2008-2010 alumni batch.

“Nothing on earth is as weak and yielding as water” contemplated the Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tzu. "Yet, water has a dual nature. It builds and destroys, is a source of joy and sadness and at times could be plenty and at other times just too little. It changes in time and space. But most importantly, water connects and does not divide."

Largest network of water professionals

The Rector continued to stress that UNESCO-IHE alumni will have access to and remain part of one of the largest network of water professionals, together providing a vast source of expertise to draw upon.

"I am confident that as you return home and become nationally, and even internationally recognised experts in your fields, you continue to play a vital role in promoting the Institute as a great place for water professionals to do graduate and post-graduate work, in order for UNESCO-IHE to acquire only the best of students."

Wisdom is the essence of sustainable development

Professor Szöllösi-Nagy continued: "Your contribution is essential, as wisdom in managing this common vital resource of humanity, is a matter of survival. Wisdom, that is at the end of the chain of data collection, knowledge generation and dissemination, education and learning, capacity development and awareness raising, governance and institution building, biological and cultural diversity, respectively, is the essence of managing our water systems in a sustainable way for future generations."

Honorary Fellow

At the occasion of the graduation, the Institute also recognised Professor Pete Loucks, a renowned and outstanding scientist in the field of water resources management, as Honorary Fellow of UNESCO-IHE.

"We are thankful that he transferred his invaluable knowledge in the field of water resources systems and integrated water resources management to many young minds by serving as guest lecturer at the Institute for several decades," the Rector added.

"You cannot work in isolation"

Professor Jude Mathooko
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Professor Jude Mathooko, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Egerton University in Kenya, and member of the UNESCO Executive Board, then appeared on stage to address the newly graduated Masters of Science as this year's graduation speaker.

Professor Mathooko emphasised the importance of a holistic approach and integration of various systems in facing and solving water problems and called for a joint approach to education, research and capacity development. "You cannot work in isolation, you need to work with others, in mutual understanding where we all work as equals."

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