Faazla Iqbal: an engineer studying water to serve humanity
Faazla Iqbal from Pakistan studies water to deepen her connection with the field and contribute meaningfully to humanity. With a background in electrical engineering, Faazla came to the Netherlands to pursue a Master's in Water and Sustainable Development, specialising in the Water-Food-Energy track and the Hydroinformatics profile.
I never realized the depth of my strength until I looked back and saw how far I have come.
Studying at IHE Delft
I never realized the depth of my strength until I looked back and saw how far I have come. IHE Delft has been a transformative discovery, guiding me to a place where technology and humanity intersect seamlessly. As an empathetic engineer, I have always aimed to merge technical expertise with real-world impact, and IHE Delft embodies this balance. Its human-centric approach in the water sector, paired with rigorous technical training, gave me the perfect platform to understand water as a fundamental right and responsibility that requires both knowledge and empathy.
Education at IHE Delft goes beyond the classroom. The curriculum is designed to tackle real-world challenges, equipping us with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills. This hands-on approach has enabled me to focus on innovative solutions, such as using satellite data for real-world water management applications. As President of the IHE Delft Student Association Board, I have also learned about the power of collaboration and am now dedicated to apply hydroinformatics to enhance decision-making in water management.
Rotary scholarship
I was truly inspired by how IHE Delft integrates different engineering perspectives with a humanitarian approach, which was what drew me to apply. After receiving my admission letter, I began searching for scholarship opportunities. When I came across the IHE Delft webpage, I was surprised to learn that the Rotary Scholarship offers fully funded support to individuals from around the world. Realising that I met the eligibility criteria, I knew this scholarship would be the perfect opportunity.
From engineering to humanitarian impact
My journey began with choosing engineering, specifically electrical engineering. For my bachelor’s thesis, I focused on modelling a solar-powered auto-irrigation system using programming languages, demonstrating how different electrical technologies can be applied in the water sector to improve irrigation processes. From there, I realised that my technical skills were not limited to robotics or other technical fields but could also be integrated into humanitarian efforts. This realisation sparked my interest in the water sector, as I saw that I could use my logical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and technical expertise not just in robotics but also to serve humanity, giving me a greater sense of purpose and motivation.
At IHE Delft, I have learned that the reason people are struggling is that resource distribution is unequal throughout the world.
Water inequality in Pakistan
The current situation in Pakistan is that groundwater is depleting, and glaciers are melting at a greater rate due to global warming and climate change. Besides that, there is a significant disparity in how water is distributed. For example, rural areas struggle to access clean and sanitized water, while in some parts of Pakistan, people have much greater access to quality water. This disparity is severe and needs to be addressed.
At IHE Delft, I have learned that the reason people are struggling is that resource distribution is unequal throughout the world. Some have easy access to resources, while others have very little, highlighting the need for more balanced distribution.
For women aspiring to lead in engineering and water sustainability, my message is clear: resilience always pays off. Don’t give up, the journey may be long, but the impact is lasting.
After graduation
After graduation, I intend to work towards empowering women in developing and emerging countries by ensuring they have equal access to resources, just as women and people in other parts of the world do.
Looking ahead, I am also committed to addressing leadership gaps in developing and emerging countries. IHE Delft has equipped me with the tools to contribute not only to water sustainability but also to the energy and agricultural sectors. As a Rotary scholar at IHE Delft and a UN Women 30 for 2030 youth leader, I have strengthened my ability to drive policy change.
For women aspiring to lead in engineering and water sustainability, my message is clear: resilience always pays off. Don’t give up, the journey may be long, but the impact is lasting.
Interested?
IHE Delft offers two Master of Science programmes: the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development and the Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. In addition, IHE Delft is part of several joint MSc Programmes offered with partner institutes.
