Erasmus Mundus Master students receive diplomas in graduation ceremony at IHE Delft
Following intense studies across several European countries, 80 students from 39 countries graduated with Master of Science degrees in water-related topics in a festive ceremony held at IHE Delft.
The 17 September ceremony celebrated the achievements of students in four joint MSc programmes: Environmental Technology and Engineering (IMETE); Coastal Hazards, Risks, Climate Change and Adaptation (COASTHazar); Flood Risk Management, and Groundwater and Global Change – Impact and Adaptation (GroundWatCh).
These MScs, supported by the European Union’s Erasmus Mundus programme, included studies at IHE Delft and, for IMETE students, at Ghent University in Belgium and the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, in the Czech Republic. COASTHazar students also studied at Universidad de Cantabria in Spain and University of Algarve in Portugal, while Flood Risk Management students also studied at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany, UPC Barcelona in Spain and University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. GroundWatCh students also studied at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany and Instituto Superior Técnico in Portugal.
Tackle challenges
IHE Delft Rector Eddy Moors urged the new graduates to take on the global water challenges that are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized the connection between their MScs and real-world challenges, highlighting SDG6, which calls for universal access to water and sanitation, among other related goals.
“Of course, SDG6 is a very clear one: it is about water. But all SDGs are related – including the ones on poverty and food security - and they all also linked to climate action,” he said. Noting that the water sector is facing high turnover due to upcoming retirements, he called on the new alumni to step up: “We need a new generation — and that is you — to replace us and help solve these problems,” he said.
Representatives from all partner institutions joined Moors in congratulating the graduates.
Keep applying
New Flood Risk Management MSc alumna Namrata Karki of Nepal encouraged others to persist in applying for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, regardless of how competitive they may seem.
"You should go for it no matter what. Even if you face rejection, remember there might be another opportunity. Many of my friends received a second chance, so keep trying. You will not only just meet amazing professionals; you will meet amazing friends which will be for life. And of course, you get to enjoy the culture, the diverse food, the environment – everything,” she said.
By graduating, the students join the IHE Delft alumni community, which is the largest network of water professionals in the world.
Interested in joining the Erasmus Mundus or other joint programmes?
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