The Agricultural Water Management for Enhanced Land and Water Productivity programme is jointly offered by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education (UNESCO-IHE). The programme is a double degree programme.
Start next run: August 2011
Duration: 20 Months
Locations: AIT, Bangkok, Thailand and UNESCO-IHE, Delft, the Netherlands
Degree: Students who successfully complete this programme will be awarded two Master degrees: one from UNESCO-IHE and one from AIT. The degree students receive from UNESCO-IHE is the MSc degree in Water Science and Engineering, with a specialisation in Hydraulic Engineering - Agricultural Water Management for Enhanced Land and Water Productivity. AIT will award a degree in Water Engineering and Management.
Context
The population growth - particularly high in emerging and developing countries - means that these countries have an additional challenge to meet the Millennium Development Goal of food security by increasing production in their own territory, where possible combined with increased import of food.
Researches estimate that in the coming decades about 80-90% of the required increase will need to be realised on existing cultivated land, and about 10-20% on newly reclaimed land. For sustainable rural development, socio-economic and environmental aspects play crucial roles. It is also imperative that the modernisation of existing water management systems, including management transfers, remains a continued process.
Increased vulnerability of agriculture is due to flooding caused partly by the impacts of climate change, land subsidence and the escalating value of land because of the requirement of higher yields per hectare. This necessitates the agricultural water management in such areas to be integrated with flood management and flood protection provisions. This Double Degree Master programme focuses on these issues.
Target group
The target group for this programme are young professionals working at ministries, authorities, river basin and water users associations, universities, research institutes, civil society organisations, and consultants dealing with or interested in the fields of planning, water resources, agriculture, environment, public works, or related fields.
Participant's profile
Candidates with a bachelor's degree preferably in Civil, Agricultural, or Environmental Engineering or related fields are eligible to apply. In principle, candidates should have a minimum of three years of practical or research experience in water management (irrigation, drainage) or on integrated rural development/management since graduation.
All applications are, however, considered on their individual merits. Since instruction and examinations are given in English, it is essential that participants have a good working knowledge of the English language. If there is any doubt about a candidate's proficiency in English, he or she will be required to take one of the internationally recognised language tests before confirmation of admittance.
Programme structure
The Agricultural Water Management for Enhanced Land and Water Productivity programme offers students the possibility to study in Bangkok, Thailand, and in Delft, the Netherlands, at two renowned institutes for international postgraduate education: AIT and UNESCO-IHE.
