Presentation given by Michael McClain (UNESCO-IHE) on Monday 7 May at the 2012 Rotary International Convention in Bangkok. Session: New Opportunities - An Introduction to Rotary's Strategic Partnerships.

1. EDUCATING THE WORLD’S
FUTURE WATER LEADERS
Rotary Convention Michael McClain
6-9 May 2012 Professor of Ecohydrology
Bangkok, Thailand m.mcclain@unesco-ihe.org

2. PRESENTATIO
N
OUTLINE
• UNESCO & Water
• About UNESCO-IHE
• Core Activities
• Partnership with
Rotary

3. UNESCO & WATER
UNESCO is the largest body within the United Nations
system dealing with the most comprehensive range of
water activities.
UNESCO’s water activities:
1. International Hydrological Programme
(research)
2. Secretariat of the World Water Assessment
Programme (data)
4. UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education
(capacity development)

4. WHO WE ARE
& WHAT WE DO

5. ABOUT US
UNESCO-IHE is the largest international
postgraduate water education facility in
the world.
The Institute confers fully accredited MSc
degrees and PhDs.
The Institute carries out numerous
research and capacity development
projects throughout the world.
Since 1957 the Institute has provided
postgraduate education to more than
14,500 water professionals from
over 160 countries, the vast majority
from the developing world.

6. EDUCATION
UNESCO-IHE offers a wide range
of accredited educational
programmes.
These are designed for engineers,
social and natural scientists
and managers.
Approximately 98% of our
graduates return to their home
countries upon graduation.

7. MASTERS
PROGRAMME
UNESCO-IHE offers 4 accredited
International Master of Science
programmes, with a total of 22
specializations.
The 18-month long MSc
programmes are designed for
professionals who want to deepen
their expertise, and in the meantime
wish to gain substantial insight into
the global water agenda.

8. PhD
Currently over 130 PhD fellows
PROGRAMME from around the world are enrolled
at the Institute in water-related
research.
PhD fellows do scientific research,
often with conclusions that directly
influence their region.
They participate in problem-focused
and solution-oriented research
on development issues.
This results in an inspiring research
environment.

9. RESEARCH
Research is a vital component
of UNESCO-IHE’s mission.
Research is conducted under 5 major
themes:
•Water Security
•Environmental Integrity
•Urbanization
•Water Management and Governance
•Information and Communication
Systems

10. CAPACITY
DEVELOPMENT
UNESCO-IHE provides capacity development
services to knowledge institutes and water sector
organizations.
Through these activities, the Institute increases its
global impact and helps to build sustainable
organizations.
These organizations will be equipped to properly
manage water resources and deliver water and
sanitation services to all communities.
Services include institutional development
projects, tailor-made training and policy advice.

11. STRENGTHENING
KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTES
SOME EXAMPLES
o Curriculum development & improvement
o Modernization of knowledge
o Staff development Improvement of laboratory
facilities for training and R&D
o Improvement of access to information
(Libraries, Networks)

12. PARTNERSHIP
Rotary and UNESCO-IHE have teamed up to tackle the world’s water
and sanitation crisis by
increasing the number of trained professionals needed
to develop, plan, and implement solutions in countries that bear the
brunt of the problem.
A strategic partnership between TRF and UNESCO-IHE will directly
support the goals of the Water and Sanitation Area of
Focus.

13. PACKAGED GLOBAL GRANTS
Through the partnership, the Foundation will offer packaged
global grants that Rotary clubs may use to select and
sponsor scholarships for professionals in the water sector.
Up to eight students a year may be chosen for any of the three
selected Masters of Science programmes at the Institute in Delft,
the Netherlands.
•MSc in Municipal Water and Infrastructure
•MSc in Water Management
•MSc in Water Science and Engineering

14. APPLICATION
PROCESS
1. Students provisionally admitted to
one of the three eligible UNESCO-
IHE academic programs
3. Students seek the sponsorship of
their local Rotary club or district.
5. Completed applications received
by TRF from sponsor Rotarians no
later than 15 July of the year in
which studies begin.
7. Scholarship awards will be made
on a first-come, first-served basis.

15. PARTNERSHIPS
AND NETWORKS
MoU & Joint MSc Programme Partners
Bilateral partnership agreements with over 50 public and private organizations. They
work in support of shared interests in education, research and capacity development.

16. ALUMNI NETWORK
Since 1957 the Institute has provided postgraduate education
to around 14,500 water professionals from over 160 countries,
the vast majority from the developing world.

17. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education
www.unesco-ihe.org