50 years delivering qualified professionals worldwide

In 2007, UNESCO-IHE celebrates its 50th anniversary; 50 years contributing from Delft (the Netherlands) to the delivery of qualified professionals to deal with the increasing water challenges. Since 1957, UNESCO-IHE has delivered 13,400 mid-level professionals from 162 countries who do their utmost to improve the water resources in their countries (99% of the professionals return to their home countries to work in the water sector and 87% of them are still active in the water sector ten years after graduation). A number of Ministers and deputy Ministers of Water Resources in the world are UNESCO-IHE alumni.

Water is an issue of strategic importance, with strong environmental, social and economic implications: good management of water resources is therefore essential. The increase complexity of water management calls for professionals with a high degree of specialization.

UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education is the largest postgraduate water education facility in the world and the only institution in the UN system authorized to confer accredited MSc and PhD degrees. Professionals who graduated at the Institute work with central governments (21.3%), universities (18.2%), consulting engineers (14.3%), research centres (9.2%), and policy making institutions (9.2%), among others. Most water agencies in developing countries include alumni from the Institute. For instance, there are 30 UNESCO-IHE graduates in relevant positions, among the employees of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Jordan.

UNESCO-IHE’s research embodies excellence and pragmatism, aimed at solving problems relevant to developing communities. Among other countries, the Institute has implemented/is implementing projects in Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, India, Irak, Iran, Middle East (Israel/ Palestine), the 10 Nile Basin countries, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala and Eastern Europe. The major event of 2007 will be a three day symposium from 13-15 June entitled: 'Water in a changing world: Enhancing local knowledge and capacity.' The symposium aims to explore the future agenda for knowledge and capacity enhancement.