Research with impact: goal for MSc student Feranmi Folahan from Nigeria
Feranmi Folahan from Nigeria studies at IHE Delft to gain skills to make the world a better place. A microbiologist with experience in analysing faecal-oral pathogens and an interest in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) field, he is pursuing the Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development to get ready for an impactful research career.
I chose IHE Delft because of the focus on water research: it is one of the leading institutes in this field. The richness of professionals at IHE Delft and the extent of the research is unique! I wanted to be part of this community and make my impact known.
Finding the how
IHE Delft does not tell you how to do it but it tells you what to do, and you need to figure out the how! It is in the process of finding the how that I have enhanced my knowledge. Deadlines and assignments are very overwhelming in the beginning, but once you get used to it, it ends up becoming easier and your brain starts working in a different way to figure out how to do it!
"It is in the process of finding the how that I have enhanced my knowledge."
Studying at IHE Delft
It has been adventurous, intriguing and wonderful. In Nigeria, we have a different understanding of academic environments and settings. You have to revere your professors. At IHE Delft, it is so relieving to be able to talk to your professors: they are very close to you - they allow you to speak and ask many questions. Being able to relate to the professors makes it easier to learn, to absorb the knowledge. At the fieldtrip to France in May, professors were sitting with us until 1:00 a.m., giving us clues and ways to think about things. This is not common where I come from! The teaching is very well structured. The use of multimedia, lecturer notes and more makes the learning so much easier!
I love the diverse community of students and staff, from different cultures and countries. It helps shape the understanding with different perspectives and apply others’ experiences into your own understanding. I love that IHE Delft provides a setting where this can happen.
About the research master
I knew straight away that I want to follow the Research MSc: I know that good research takes time. I picked it to dig deeper, get more findings, explore the area of my research and improve my knowledge. I wanted to do more than scratch the surface. We spend the first half together with the one-year master. The second part is tailored to prepare us for a research career and future. For example, we have modules that gives us insights into advanced academic skills, writing and reading skills, academic reviews, which I think is great for a future research career. This is the beginning of being a researcher. We had amazing lectures on decolonizing science and other topics that I would not have time to learn in a normal class.
We have also learned how to translate our research into societal impact - how to bridge academic and social impact, which I think is a very good skill to have. This master is designed in a way that does not only makes you get the diploma: it truly shapes you to become an impactful researcher.
Pathways for faecal pathogens
I have a background in microbiology: I have done research on infections and water-related diseases, particularly the transmission of diseases through water, which unfortunately is common in Nigeria. I came to IHE Delft to learn about other factors related to water, such as the social and engineering components: everything that makes water important - not only the transmission component.
My thesis is focusing on the exposure pathways for faecal pathogens as a result of unavailable, inadequate or improper WASH facilities – which causes pathogens contamination, putting at risk children, women, elderly and others who are vulnerable to infections. It’s very interesting, especially in humanitarian settings. I focused on the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh with residents who are vulnerable and live in a densely populated environment with poor sanitary conditions. Diseases thrive in such contexts, and the environment is contaminated. My research provides information for policymakers on intervention areas, WASH implementation and collaboration with stakeholders such as the World Health Organization and others. It provides a better understanding of prevention measures.
Poor WASH facilities in Nigeria
In Nigeria, cholera outbreaks are common - this all relates to poor WASH facilities - and all is related to water. There are parts of Nigeria with settings similar to the refugee camps in Bangladesh, including poor faecal sludge management. If there is a lack of proper human waste management, there will be water contamination, which leads to outbreak of waterborne diseases, including cholera. People, especially children, are dying from this disease. My research can also be applied in Nigeria: we can identify loopholes in sanitation systems that could help us improve and make our health better.
How do you hope to apply what you have learned?
This programme is preparing me for a PhD. I want to make the world a better place! I have always wanted to be a researcher, to resolve unknown things.
Feranmi’s studies are financed by scholarships from the Dutch Orange Knowledge Programme and a scholarship from the IHE Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme.
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.
