- Research project
- – Western Pacific
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Author
Brett Richards | 03/09/19
The International WaterCentre’s (IWC) scholarship period for entry to study in 2020 is in full swing, with applicants from across Australia, New Zealand and the world vying for one of these prestigious awards. Scholarships for the Master of Integrated Water Management (MIWM), the new Master of Catchment Science (MCS), the Water Leadership Program and Graduate Certificate in Water Leadership are all up for grabs.
“We invest in providing multiple scholarships each year for entry into our postgraduate, professional development water programs to high-calibre candidates who we think best demonstrate potential as future water leaders,” says Dr Brian S. McIntosh, IWC Education Director.
“For our MIWM, recipients come from across the world – from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Kenya, Laos, Pakistan, the United States, Ireland, Poland, Peru, to name a few. And from across the spectrum of disciplines found working in the water sector – engineers, scientists, lawyers, economists, community development practitioners, data specialists, planners and architects, the list goes on.”
Dr McIntosh says that the aim of the MIWM is to help develop water leaders who are able to play a significant role in shaping the water sector.
“Our graduates transform the way that we plan and deliver WASH services, how we think about and manage water in urban environments and in water resources, and develop effective and innovative water financing solutions to enable private sector involvement in water and sustainable development.”
Next year, the IWC will welcome the first cohort of students into the new Master of Catchment Science degree, the only postgraduate, catchment-dedicated degree in the world, which has been developed in collaboration with Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), School of Engineering and Built Environment and School of Environment and Sciences.
“For our new MCS, we are looking to attract participants from across Australia, New Zealand and around the world. In particular, we are looking for scientists and engineers who are keen to develop leading edge skills and knowledge that enable them to practice effectively across the boundaries of the natural sciences, engineering, computing, data analysis and economics. With the new MCS we are looking to develop the next generation of catchment science and engineering leaders able to critically develop and assess technical plans, projects, programs and infrastructures to restore and protect catchment functions for ecological, economic and social benefit.”
“This means that both of our Masters programs are diverse – each have a blend of people with different professional backgrounds, from different cultures and with different life experiences. We structure our learning processes to ensure that each cohort gets to know each other really well and is able to learn from each other. In the end, they form a life-long network.”
Recent MIWM scholarship recipient José Fernández spent the past three years working with Aquafondo, managing conservation projects with local communities on the Peruvian-side of the Andes, before joining the IWC as a student in 2019. He says studying in Australia with the IWC will help his career.
“In order to develop a successful professional career, especially if it is related to natural resources, it is vital to be exposed to different environments, cultures, issues and solutions that occur on both a national and global level…the IWC’s Master of Integrated Water Management, incorporates all these aspects.”
Australian environmental engineer, Caitlin Pilkington, a past scholarship recipient and IWC graduate said the opportunity to learn and work with different people from diverse backgrounds was what drew her to the IWC.
“The opportunity to collaborate and build networks with such a diverse mixture of participants and [with] the IWC was a really important part of the program for everyone involved.”
Dr McIntosh says anyone who is interested in studying a professional Masters program with the IWC should apply for a scholarship.
“We’re looking for high-calibre candidates, absolutely, but don’t discount what you’re currently doing, or where your experience lies, and talk yourself out of applying. What you’re doing in your organisation, or for your community, may be exactly what the scholarship selection committee is looking for.”
About the author: Brett Richards is the Marketing and Communications Director at the International WaterCentre.
