China - Hydrology and Water Resources 1992/93

I am Xie Yuebo, Professor of Hydrometry at Hohai University, Nanjing, China. My age, 50, is the same as IHE. In early 1992 I was lucky to have the opportunity to study the course at IHE Delft on Surface Water Hydrology.

It was for me the first time to study abroad and to come into contact with international teachers. I also met Mr. Luijendijk, at that time Vice-Rector of the institute.

During the introductory days in Epe he presented the history of IHE.

I was deeply impressed by his presentation and in particular the question: Who or what is most important at IHE? He wanted us to think about this and he made some suggestions: the rector, the professors? Or is it the conditions at IHE or the relation with society?

He went on for some time. Although I am myself a lecturer at the university, I never thought about this question, and the answer came to me as a surprise: the student is the most important person at IHE and the teacher is the servant. Is it not so that without students, there cannot be directors, professors, lecturers, secretaries, etc.?

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