You will learn to deal with the scientific and engineering knowledge needed for the sustainable management of water for agriculture, learning about irrigation and drainage, IWRM, agronomy, hydrology and hydrodynamics.

AIT

Starts: Annually in August
Duration: 20 months
Locations: AIT, Bangkok, Thailand and UNESCO-IHE, Delft, the Netherlands

Context

Population growth is particularly high in emerging and developing countries. This means that these countries have an additional challenge in meeting the Millennium Development Goal of food security. They can overcome this challenge by increasing production in their own region, combined with increased import of food, where possible. Research estimates 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 Joint Double Degree programme focuses on these issues.

Prospective Students

The target group for the Agricultural Water Management for Enhanced Land and Water Productivity (AWM) 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.

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.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Joint Double Degree programme, the graduates will:

  • Have in-depth understanding and specific knowledge of the latest concepts and theories of irrigation, drainage, flood protection, land reclamation and consolidation technologies for sustainable development, and the cross-sectoral linkages comprehending wider aspects of society, economy and the environment;
  • Use the latest hydraulic engineering and hydrological methods to apply in planning, design and implementation of irrigation, drainage and flood protection schemes, independently or in a multidisciplinary team;
  • Be able to identify and cross-evaluate alternative land and water development options for areas under different land uses and assess their feasibility; technologically, economically, and environmentally;
  • Be able to engage in or advise the developers, system managers and water users on the participatory development and management, including operation and maintenance of the irrigation, drainage and flood protection schemes;
  • Have acquired knowledge and understanding of contemporary research issues in the field of land and water development.
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.

Admission procedure

Please click here for the admission procedure for the Joint Double Degree programmes we have with AIT.

Information about AIT

Please click here for information about AIT, our partner in this programme.

Programme structure and contents

The AWM programme offers students the possibility to study at two renowned institutes for international postgraduate education: AIT and UNESCO-IHE. The coursework part of the programme starts at AIT in Bangkok in August, where students follow a number of courses until the second half of December. In early January, they move to Delft where they join students in UNESCO-IHE’s Water Science and Engineering programme for nine modules including the international field trip. Students then move back to Bangkok for their individual thesis research work.

Subjects at AIT (August – December)

  • AIT-IHE-AIT

    Hydrodynamics
  • Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
  • Watershed Hydrology
  • Integrated Water Resources Management

Subjects at UNESCO-IHE (January – August)

  • Water Management Systems and Agronomy I
  • Water Management Systems and Agronomy II
  • Aspects of Irrigation and Drainage
  • Service Oriented Management of Irrigation Systems
  • Conveyance Systems
  • Fieldwork
  • Irrigation and Drainage Structures
  • Advanced Methods and Equipment
  • Group work

At AIT (September onwards)

  • Thesis Proposal & Work
More information
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