Starts: Annually in August
Duration: 20 months
Locations: AIT, Bangkok, Thailand and UNESCO-IHE, Delft, the Netherlands

Context

Over the last decade many developing countries have witnessed rapid economic growth rates of near double digits and the average population grew at the rate of 1.8% every year in the Asian region.

Due to the rapid population growth, industrialisation and urbanisation, many environmental issues such as wastewater treatment and management, solid waste, air pollution and industrial and hazardous waste treatment and management have been brought to the forefront.

As a result, finding sustainable solutions for environmental issues without compromising economic development has become a vital issue for the developing nations, as addressed in Target 9 of the MDGs.

To address these issues, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and UNESCO-IHE agreed to establish the Joint Double Degree Programme in Environmental Technology for Sustainable Development (ETSuD) to provide students the opportunity to learn, share knowledge, and gain hands-on experiences in both developed and developing nations.

Prospective Students

The target group for the ETSuD programme are professionals from ministries, departments, and authorities in for example the fields of nature and environment, pollution prevention and control, public works, and sustainable development; environmental organisations and associations; universities and research institutes that have programmes in the sector; civil society organisations; and consultants.

Candidates with Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields that may contribute to environmental technology and management e.g. civil, chemical or environmental engineering, biotechnology, microbiology or related fields are eligible to apply. The students should have preferably at least three years of practical experience. As the programme will run in both Asia and Europe, and because of the fact that the instruction and examinations are given in English, it is essential that participants have a good command of the English language. If there is any doubt about a candidate’s proficiency in English, he or she will be required to take one of the internationally recognised language tests before confirmation of admittance.

Degree

Subject to approval from the relevant authorities, and from the 2013-15 programme onwards, successful students will receive the Master of Science degree in Environmental Science for Sustainable Development, awarded jointly by AIT and UNESCO-IHE. If that approval is not granted, succesful students will be awarded two Master's degrees: one from UNESCO-IHE and one from AIT.

Admission procedure

Please click here for the admission procedure for the Joint Double Degree programmes we have with AIT.

Information about AIT

Please click here for information about AIT, our partner in this programme.

Programme structure and contents

The ETSuD programme offers students the possibility to study at two renowned institutes for international postgraduate education: AIT and UNESCO-IHE. The coursework part of the programme starts at AIT in Bangkok in August, where students follow a number of courses until the second half of December. In early January, they move to Delft where they join students in UNESCO-IHE’s Environmental Science programme for six modules and group work. Students then move back to Bangkok for their individual thesis research work with involvement of UNESCO-IHE counterparts.

Subjects at AIT (August – December)

• Environmental Chemistry and Laboratory (required)
• Air Pollution Engineering and Management (elective)
• Solid Waste Management (elective)
• Environmental Impact Assessment (elective)
• Wastewater treatment (elective)
• Drinking Water Treatment (elective)
• Environmental Health and Sanitation (elective)
• Design of Water Supply and Wastewater Systems (elective)
• Air Pollution Modelling and Applications (elective)
• Hazardous Waste Technology and Management (elective)
• Design of Air Pollution Control Systems (elective)
• Membrane Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment (elective)
• Waste Reduction and Recycling (elective)
• Applied Microbiology and Laboratory (elective)
• Advanced Processes for Wastewater Treatment, Reuse and Recycle (elective)

Subjects at UNESCO-IHE (January – August)

• Analytical tools in Environmental Science
• Environmental Systems Analysis
• Wetlands for wastewater treatment
• Cleaner Production
• Foreign Fieldtrip + Fieldwork
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Group Work

At AIT (August onwards)

• Thesis Proposal & Work
• Environmental Quality management