Innovative learning at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education equips professionals with the research, managerial and technical skills needed to deal with challenges in the fields of water, the environment and infrastructure in their countries.
With the help of thousands of alumni active in the water and environment sectors, UNESCO-IHE is able to design and effectively apply educational materials and processes in the delivery of training.
Advances in distance and electronic learning are changing the manner, efficiency and effectiveness by which participants can create, share and apply knowledge with alumni, the Institute’s partners and development communities.
The educational methods used at UNESCO-IHE include lectures, individual or group exercises in the classroom, at the computer, or in the laboratory. Fieldwork, excursions and field visits to relevant institutions are also often used, allowing the participants to come into contact with practical examples of the theory. Though case studies, role-plays and workshops, the content is made more interactive, and the participants are able to share their experiences.
The quality of the Institute’s educational products and processes is controlled at three levels. First, at the institutional level, the Academic Board is responsible for the development of UNESCO-IHE’s education, policies, guidelines, structures and regulations. At the programme level, the Quality Control Committees have overall responsibility for scientific rigour and administrative efficiency, and they report annually to the Academic Board.
Finally, at the course level, Programme Coordinators are responsible for the day-to-day organisation of courses and for supervising the contributions of all lecturers. Each (guest) lecturer is responsible for the content and implementation of his or her own course.
During the academic year the participants are asked to complete a questionnaire asking for their opinions about the quality of the programme they are following. Based on this feedback, and taking into consideration recent developments in scientific fields, the Programme Coordinators may adapt courses to ensure that they continue to meet programme objectives as well as the needs of participants.
UNESCO-IHE degrees are awarded to participants who have successfully completed an MSc programme. These are recognised as postgraduate degrees by all universities in the Netherlands.
The academic level and duration of the MSc programmes offered 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.
All levels of the Netherlands education system are geared to achieving a creative, independent and internationally focused workforce. The higher education system offers a variety of courses in academic, applied and professional disciplines, and has an excellent international reputation.
Foreign nationals who obtain part of their higher education in the Netherlands are well equipped to perform their functions anywhere in the world.