Alumni News
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Enhancing sanitation in Dutch asylum seeker centres: A collaborative initiative
A report by IHE Delft alumnus Kyaw Htoon, presented to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), highlights challenges in sanitation within Dutch asylum seeker centres (AZCs).
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Alumni impact: a park for water security, biodiversity and more in Colombia
When urban sprawl in the city of Cali threatened precious land that is key to important aquifers that supplies the city and the region with water, IHE Delft alumnus Daniel Ascúntar Rios knew he had to act. In 2020, as an official in the local administration, he led a team that acquired the land and created a giant park packed with nature-based solutions that protect not only the aquifer, but also biodiversity, culture and heritage.
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Mario Castro Gama earns PhD for research on energy savings for water utilities
Mario Castro Gama from Colombia has successfully defended his PhD thesis on “Multi-Objective Optimization of Energy Efficiency and Pressure Management in Large Water Distribution Networks.” The results demonstrated up to 16% energy savings and enhanced operational cost efficiency. Dr. Mario Castro Gama was awarded with a doctoral degree at IHE Delft on 19 November 2024. His promotor is Professor Dimitri Solomatine and his co-promotor Dr. Andreja Jonoski. He would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Ioana Popescu and Dr. Andreja Jonoski for their guidance. He reflects on his research and its significance.
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World Toilet Day: Searching for a safe place to go part of daily life for many
Across the world, millions of city residents lack access to adequate toilets. In rapidly growing cities, the lack of safe sanitation systems not only contributes to the spread of infectious diseases but also lowers the overall quality of life, especially for marginalized communities. A documentary by IHE Delft alumna Cecilia Alda-Vidal shows what it means to live with unreliable sanitation infrastructure.
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Dams at times of war: looming collapse of the Jebel Aulia Dam in Sudan
Water infrastructure is often targeted within tactics of warfare, either to control certain areas or populations or weaponized to deprive, poison or flush away the enemy. Due to its intensive maintenance and diligent operation requirements, large dams in particular can form – wilfully of negligently – a liability in times of war causing huge threat to the already vulnerable population, as is currently the case with the Jebel Aulia Dam in Sudan.
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Opening of Academic Year celebrates new IHE Delft students’ potential
Speakers at the IHE Delft Opening of the Academic Year ceremony encouraged the new students to learn not only from the academics, but also from each other. The ceremony marked the start of intense studies that will prepare them for impactful roles as water leaders.
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Nazanin Moradi earns PhD for research on sustainable waste treatment using ozone-based processes
Nazanin Moradi from Iran has successfully defended her PhD thesis on “Ozone-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes for Removing Contaminants of Emerging Concern from Digestate Supernatant: Application and Modelling.” Her research explores innovative ways to treat organic waste by-products to make them safer for the environment. Moradi’s promotors is Professor Mark van Loosdrecht and Professor Damir Brdjanovic. Dr. Nazanin Moradi was awarded with a doctoral degree at IHE Delft on 28 October 2024. Now a new PhD graduate, she reflects on her research and its significance.
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Muhammad Dikman Maheng earns PhD for research on how urbanization affects temperature, rainfall and flooding in Jakarta
Muhammad Dikman Maheng from Indonesia successfully defended his PhD thesis, “Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Urban Temperature, Rainfall, and Flooding: A Case Study of Jakarta” on 28 October 2024. His research examines the complex interactions between urbanization, green spaces, and climate in rapidly growing cities like Jakarta. Working under the guidance of Professor Chris Zevenbergen, with co-promotors Dr. Biswa Bhattacharya and Dr. Assela Pathirana, Dr. Maheng’s thesis is a significant contribution to understanding urban climate impacts.
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The future awaits: IHE Delft class of 2024
Vibrant colours, joyful smiles and a deep sense of accomplishment filled the air as 120 students from 47 countries gathered at the Oude Kerk in Delft on 9 October to celebrate a major milestone—their graduation from IHE Delft’s 12-month master’s programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
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Alumna interview with Iara Giacomini: We need more women in the water arena
As a child, she was inspired by oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau. Today, IHE Delft alumna Iara Giacomini makes an impact for water in Brazil in her role as Director of River Basin Rehabilitation, Access to Water and Multiple Use of Water Resources in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. In an interview at the World Water Week in Stockholm, she describes her motivation, the impact of IHE Delft on her career and why it is important for women to enter the water sector.