Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems

Start next run: October 2008 (open for registration)
Duration: 18 Months
Locations: Delft, the Netherlands; Mondsee, Austria; Trebon, Czech Republic; Njoro, Kenya

Unsustainable management of natural resources hampers the development of mankind and contributes to the unequal distribution of economic welfare. Pollution, depletion of resources and disintegration of ecological functions are of global, regional and local concern.

Considering the anticipated economic development and increase in standards of living in developing regions, these issues will become even more urgent in the future. Thus it is not surprising that wise management of our precious (water) resources, environmental conservation, alleviation of poverty and sustainable development are high on the agenda of global concerns.

It is now widely acknowledged that, to prevent continued environmental degradation and the decline of human society, interactions between man and the environment must be sustainable. Sustainability depends on the delicate balance between the use and the conservation of our environmental resources.

The resulting challenge to sustainable development is to stimulate further expansion of living standards worldwide while minimising and counteracting the negative impacts on the environment.

Aim of the programme

The aim of the Environmental Science Programme is to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute, directly or indirectly, to the conservation and wise-use of natural resources for the benefit of society. Successful participants will:

• develop the capacity to carry out independent scientific and technical research and assessments on environmental issues,
• learn to analyse and assess environmental systems and problems,
• be able to propose sustainable solutions to environmental problems and
• contribute to the development of policies and strategies for environmental planning.

Participant's Profile

The Specialisation is intended for mid-career professionals with a background in biological or environmental sciences and with special interest in one of the following topics: aquatic ecology, limnology, wetland ecosystems or aquatic resources management.

Participants should have a BSc Degree or an equivalent degree in natural science, chemistry, environmental science, agriculture, environmental economics or in engineering combined with preferably at least three years of working experience at e.g. a university, a multi-lateral agency, a governmental environmental agency (national or local), an NGO, a consultants office, or an industry. Knowledge in mathematics, physics and chemistry is a prerequisite.

Computer literacy is a valuable asset. Good conversational, reading and writing capabilities in the English language are essential in order to successfully complete this specialisation.

Since the start of the postgraduate programme in Environmental Science (and Technology) at the UNESCO-IHE institute in 1971, more than 1000 participants from 90 different countries have graduated. Since the start of the International Post-Graduate Training Course in Limnology in Austria in 1975, more than 300 participants have attended.

Alumni from both programmes now function as senior professionals in the environmental field, either in science, engineering or management. The international cooperation between UNESCO-IHE and the Austrian Academy of Sciences started in 1997, which resulted in the joint specialisation in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems. Since then about 40 people have graduated from this joint programme.

New set up

The specialisation in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems is jointly given by UNESCO-IHE and the Austrian Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with Egerton University in Kenya, The University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Makerere University in Uganda and the Czech Academy of Sciences, Trebon, Czech Republic.

The specialisation in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems (LWE) is the result of a new approach towards training of professionals in environmental research and education. An international network was created, and several European and East African partners have agreed to pursue streamlining of selected post-graduate course activities.

The LWE specialisation offers the chance to study in different countries and to share knowledge with scientists from all over the world. The specific and unique expertise of different countries and institutes are combined within one specialisation and the result is an excellent internationally oriented study programme. Studying within this unique network amplifies the benefits and values of working together.

Course Contents

The basic programme

Environmental Science is a broad field; any Masters Programme in this field is necessarily limited. The UNESCO-IHE Masters Programme in Environmental Science provides an overview of the field with emphasis on water related issues such as the functioning and use of aquatic and wetland ecosystems, water quality management, water scarcity, nutrient cycles, water pollution control, and natural systems for wastewater treatment. The basic programme consists of four three-week modules:

• Introduction into Environmental Science,
• Natural Processes in the Environment,
• Human Dimensions in Environmental Change and
• Analytical Tools in Environmental Science.

After the basic programme, participants flow into one of the four specialisations: Environmental Science and Technology, Environmental Planning and Management, Water Quality Management, or Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems.

The specialisation in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems

The specialisation in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems provides an integrated course for scientists, technologists and engineers who have an interest in research and development, with the knowledge and skills to address environmental problems and interact with stakeholders, managers and policy makers for appropriate remedial actions.

Fifteen three-week modules form the basis of this specialisation. The first six months are given at UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft; the Limnological Institute in Mondsee organizes the subsequent six months in Austria, under the auspices of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Two modules are given in the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Sciences and one in Kenya in cooperation with Egerton University.

Upon successful completion of this specialisation participants will be able to:

• design, organise and conduct scientific environmental research and contribute to the development of innovative technologies for solving environmental problems;
• analyse dynamic interactions in complex human-environment systems;
• formulate data requirements and data collection strategies and design and apply conceptual and computational models for a better understanding of these systems;
• provide scientific advice for policy development and decision-making.

Master of Science (MSc)

The study is completed with an MSc thesis and a public presentation of the results, which are judged by an examination committee. The study deals with a practical or theoretical environmental problem. Field data collection, laboratory research and/or modelling work will in many cases form part of the study. For data analysis (statistical) computer packages will be used. Proposal writing and the actual research will be guided by an academic supervisor.

Status of Degrees

UNESCO-IHE degrees are awarded to holders of recognised BSc degrees with a minimum of three years professional experience, and having successfully completed one of the MSc programmes; the degrees are recognised as postgraduate degrees by all universities in the Netherlands.

The academic level and duration of the MSc programmes awarded by the Institute are comparable with those of Masters programmes given at universities in the UK, the USA and Australia. The Institute complies fully with the quality control procedures of the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Admission Requirements

In view of the level of instruction, the principal requirement for admission to any of UNESCO-IHE's programmes is a BSc degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject from a recognised university.

Candidates should also have had practical or research work experience since their graduation, although all applications are considered on their individual merits. Since all instruction and examinations are given in English, it is essential that participants have a sound working knowledge (i.e. adequate verbal, written, oral and comprehension skills) of the English language.

Application procedure

Step 1: Academic admission to the programme

Candidates seeking admission to the programme are requested to complete the enclosed application form and mail it before August 1 to the IPGL-OFFICE, Institute for Limnology, Austrian Academy of Sciences,Mondseestrasse 9, A-5310 Mondsee, Austria.
A certificate of academic admission is sent to the candidate who satisfies the admission requirements.

Step 2: Application of fellowships

For this programme there are several possibilities to obtain a fellowship.

1. The Netherlands Government has an attractive fellowship programme called the Netherlands Fellowships Programme (NFP). This programme is open to all candidates from developing countries. Candidates who are interested in this fellowship should contact the Netherlands Embassy in their country for an application form. The deadline for submission of the NFP application is March 1 st .

2. The Austrian Government is also offering fellowships to applicants seeking to specialise in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems. Fellowships are given with priority to applicants from the following countries: Nicaragua, Cape Verde, Uganda, Rwanda, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Bhutan; El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan. Fellowships may also be granted to applicants from other countries, particularly countries from which IPGL repeatedly had participants in former courses, such as Bangladesh, PR. China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Zambia. The Austrian fellowship programme does not provide for family members.

Application forms for Austrian fellowships can be obtained via the IPGL-OFFCE, Institute for Limnology, Mondsee ( ipgl.mondsee@oeaw.ac.at ). The deadline for submission of the Austrian fellowship application forms is also March 1 st .

The application forms MUST BE SEND to the IPGL-Office at the following address:

IPGL-Office, Institute for Limnology, Mondseestrasse 9, 5310 Mondsee, Austria.

Candidates are also advised to check with their employer or with their own government to determine if financing for their studies could be provided from local or other sources, including part of a training component in a project in which they are already involved. Information about other fellowships can also be found on the website of this programme.

Read more about the programme on www.unesco-ihe.org/lwe