Land and Water Development for Food Security

Structure & contents

This specialization consists of 14 modules covering a total of 12 months, this is followed by a 6-month research and thesis phase. Graduates of the programme will be awarded 106 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits.

• October - April

  UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands
  • Introduction to Water Science and Engineering Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. 1 Discuss and explain the relevant issues of the global agenda for water and sustainable development; understand the field of water science and engineering, identify its different specialisations and understand the structure of the programme at UNESCO-IHE;
    2. 2 Reviewing, understanding, and applying: a) Mathematical concepts and techniques relevant to water science and engineering; b) Statistical and frequency analysis concepts and techniques that are relevant to water science and engineering;
    3. 3 Understand processes at the surface of the Earth that form and sculpt landscapes. Geologic processes comprise sedimentation compaction, tectonic uplifts and subsidence, and act on a long time scale. Geomorphologic processes comprise the action of water, wind, ice, fire, and living things on the surface of the Earth, along with chemical reactions that form soils and alter material properties. Geomorpological processes act on an intermediate time scale. Furthermore, in the very recent past during the anthropocene, humans have profoundly altered the landscape. Human induced processes are relatively short term, and occur rapidly. Many of these factors are strongly mediated by climate. What is the role of water as an agent of change, and how do water systems respond to these various driving forces?
  • Hydrology and Hydraulics Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Describe the main concepts of steady/unsteady and uniform/non-uniform flow.
    2. Understand and describe the principles and basic equations of water flow and to apply them to various practical situations.
    3. Carry out basic measurements in the wave and current flumes at the hydraulic laboratory.
    4. Understand, describe and apply the concepts of hydrology needed for their specialisation.
    5. Understand the concepts of Geographical Information Systems and apply them in practical examples relevant to their specialization.
    6. Understand the main techniques of remote sensing and know when their use is appropriate or inappropriate.
  • Principles and Practices of Land and Water Development Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Refresh knowledge about engineering properties of soil, its classification, stresses, strength and deformation.
    2. Understand the importance of irrigation and drainage for global food production and economics.
    3. Understand the relevance, concept, elements and needs of irrigation and drainage.
    4. Be able of making a preliminary layout and design of gravity irrigation and drainage networks.
  • Design Aspects of Irrigation and Drainage Systems Required
    Learning Objectives

    1. Analyse and evaluate the various types of flow and to apply the hydraulic principles for uniform and non-uniform open channel, and flow in specific hydraulic structures in irrigation and drainage engineering issues
    2. Analyse soil-water-crop yield relationships, management options under land or water scarcity and water saving techniques, and be able to determine crop water requirements
    3. Discuss crop water requirements, drainage requirements and understand their mutual relationship
    4. Determine the boundary conditions required for water delivery and distribution systems at field level
    5. Select appropriate irrigation and drainage methods under different physical and agricultural circumstances
    6. Make a preliminary layout and design of a gravity irrigation and drainage network at tertiary level.
  • Tertiary Unit Design and Hydraulics Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Analyse and evaluate and to apply the hydraulic principles for pipe flow in irrigation and drainage engineering.
    2. Present, process and interpret results of hydraulic laboratory measurements in a technical report
    3. Explain the principles of the hydrological cycle, the basic characteristics of precipitation and evaporation, the principles of reservoir operation.
    4. Apply some statistical tools used in hydrology, rainfall-runoff relations and design floods
    5. Have an understanding of water-crop yield relationships, management options under land or water scarcity and water saving techniques and be able to determine crop water requirements.
  • Socio-economic and Environmental Aspects of Land and Water Development Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Select a suitable flow control system, the appurtenant flow control structures and to specify the operation rules of the structures and social implications of applied irrigation techniques for different users
    2. Assess the sediment transport in irrigation canals and to evaluate the effect of various operation scenarios on the sedimentation; make a design of the horizontal and vertical alignment of irrigation canals considering various sediment conditions and modes of operation and maintenance;
    3. Discuss the importance of all environmental and social aspects that complete the determination of the feasibility of any land development project
    4. Describe the economic feasibility of land development projects and have a first understanding of financial reporting
  • Conveyance and Irrigation Structures Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Make simple unsteady flow computations for open channels and closed conduits;
    2. Apply DUFLOW for non-steady flow phenomena in open irrigation and drainage networks; to evaluate the results and to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the model for solving surface flow problems;
    3. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of various numerical schemes for solving sets of equations in surface flow modelling and to select the appropriate models for stationary and non-stationary flow in open channels and in pipes and to evaluate the results
    4. Understand the factors that influence the functioning of a surface drainage system and design a surface drainage system;
    5. Select the appropriate type of structure for irrigation and drainage networks, to establish the boundary conditions and to prepare a preliminary hydraulic design;
    6. Select a suitable flow control system, the appurtenant flow control structures and to specify the operation rules of the structures and social implications of applied irrigation techniques for different users.
  • Management of Irrigation and Drainage Systems Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Formulate objectives for irrigation development, modernisation and management and understand the consequences for irrigation management and users
    2. Comprehend various forms and levels of irrigation management organisations and different levels of water delivery service and associated costs
    3. Have gained insights into the laws, legislations, and traditions pertaining to the development and use of water resources for agriculture
    4. Identify the relation between water rights arrangements and water delivery, allocation and decision-making
    5. Design water management plans including justifiable decisions on agreements between stakeholders, water delivery and distribution between different users, division of tasks and responsibilities including payments among stakeholders, and monitoring and evaluation for assessing system performance
  • Fieldtrip and Fieldwork WSE Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Demonstrate a multidisciplinary overview of actual technical, research and organizational activities in the field of water management, hydraulic engineering and hydrology.
    2. Report detailed technical information received.
    3. Select and apply different, appropriate field instrumentation and measurement methods in practice and organise the measurement.
    4. Critically analyse field results, and identify/recognise possible areas of error or uncertainty.
    5. Integrate quantitative measurements with qualitative terrain observations and prior information to evaluate and analyse the relevant predominant processes in a study area.
    6. Apply this assimilation of data to engineering cases.
  • Innovative Water Systems for Agriculture Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Design sprinkler and drip irrigation systems
    2. Critically reflect on the different aspects of the use of groundwater in irrigation and discuss the theoretical background related to the groundwater flow
    3. Identify the suitability of various types of pumps in specific situations, to define the boundary conditions for the application of pumps and lifting devices, to assess the requirements for operation and maintenance.
    4. Discuss the merits and the limitations of the use of solar energy as a renewable resource to support energy demand in irrigation systems
    5. Explain the pitfalls of applying conventional design, sediment management, water governance and operation and maintenance models for the development of Flood-based farming systems
    6. At a watershed level, analyses different interventions for optimizing the use of floods for food and water security and enhancement of ecosystem services
  • Remote sensing, GIS and Modelling for Agricultural Water Use Required

    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    • Explain the use of modern tools as RS and GIS in combination with the use of computer models
    • Explain and use the principles of Surefce Energy Balance in estimating Evapotranspiration
    • Reflect on the advanced applications of RS in irrigation management
    • Identify problems, constraints and potentials of lowland and flood prone areas for sustainable development
    • Discuss the design principles of the lowland, flood prone areas and polder water management systems
    • Reflect on the importance of environmental and socio-economic consideration in the low land and flood prone araes and prepare the operation and maintenance and management plans and options
  • Summer Courses - Research Methodology for WSE Elective
  • Groupwork WSE Elective
  • MSc Preparatory Course and Thesis Research Proposal Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. concisely define the intended research topic, state precise aims and objectives, describe the research methodology, argue expected relevance and justification, and identify boundary conditions and self- or externally imposed limitations
    2. list available literature and replicate main arguments expounded in the literature on the specified research topic
    3. demonstrate analytical problem-analysis skills and the ability to distil the strategic issues to be addressed in the research phase
    4. plan, using the project management approach, the research process in weekly time-steps and indicate essential milestones, targets and indicators, required human, financial and other resources, deliverables and perceived threats and constraints at each stage of the research project
    5. develop and formulate the research proposal in a clearly written, well argued and convincing report, submitted within a set deadline
    6. successfully present and defend individual work, cross-reference it to and critically evaluate it in light of contemporary thinking in a specific field of study
  • MSc Research Work Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Explore the background of the research problem by critically reviewing scientific literature; Evaluate relevant theories and applying these theories to a relevant scientific problem; Assure adequate delineation and definition of the research topic; Formulate research questions and hypotheses.
    2. Conduct research, independently or in a multidisciplinary team by selecting and applying appropriate research methodologies and techniques, collecting and analysing data.
    3. Formulate well-founded conclusions and recommendations based on a comprehensive discussion of the results
    4. Demonstrate academic attitude and learning skills (including thinking in multidisciplinary dimensions and distinguishing main issues from minor ones), to enhance and keep up-to-date the acquired knowledge and application skills in a largely independent manner.
    5. Communicate, debate and defend, clearly and systematically, findings and generated insights, and provide rational underpinning of these in oral and written presentations to a variety of audiences.

Tuition & fellowships

Information about tuition fees can be found here.

The following fellowships are recommended for prospective students who wish to study Land and Water Development for Food Security

• Joint Japan Worldbank Graduate Scholarship Programme (JJ/WBGSP)

  Participants from World Bank member countries can apply for a fellowship from the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme (JJ/WBGSP). Please note that the deadline for JJ/WBGSP scholarship applications for the academic year 2016-17 has passed.

  more info: www.worldbank.org

• Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)

  The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) promote capacity building within organisations in 51 countries by providing training and education through fellowships for professionals.

  The overall aim of the NFP is to help increase both the number and the competencies of skilled staff at a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organisations. You have to be nominated by your employer to be eligible for the fellowship. There also has to be a clear need for training within the context of your organisation. 

  Fellowship application procedure per modality: 

  • For more info about how to apply for a NFP fellowship for a MSc Specialization at UNESCO-IHE click here -  Please note however that the UNESCO-IHE NFP application deadline for MSc programmes starting in 2016 passed.
  • For more info about how to apply for a NFP fellowship for a Short Course at UNESCO-IHE visit the Short Course webpage.

  more info: www.studyinholland.nl

  Tip

  Use the Nuffic Grantfinder to find a suitable fellowship
   

• Rotary Scholarship for Water and Sanitation Professionals

  Rotary and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education are working together to tackle the world’s water and sanitation crisis by increasing the number of trained professionals to devise, plan, and implement solutions in developing and emerging countries. Through this partnership, The Rotary Foundation will award 10 scholarships annually for graduate students working or living near a Rotary club and provisionally admitted to one of the following MSc programmes (joint programmes are not eligible):

  • MSc in Urban Water and Sanitation
  • MSc in Water Management
  • MSc in Water Science and Engineering

  more info: http://www.unesco-ihe.org/Rotary-Scholarships-for-Water-and-Sanitation-Professionals

• Stuned Scholarship Programme

  The stuned Scholarship Programme is open for professionals from all over Indonesia who have completed a Bachelor study, in particular educators, government officials, ngo officials and journalists. Stuned aims at a balanced gender representation (minimum 50% women) and gives preference to candidates from less developed areas in Indonesia.

  more info: www.nesoindonesia.or.id

  Tip

  The deadline for applications for a Stuned Scholarship is March 1 for Short Courses and April 1 for Masters Programmes.

• WMO Fellowships

  WMO is partnering with UNESCO-IHE to jointly support two to three fellowships a year from developing and least developed countries to undertake an MSc in one of the agreed UNESCO-IHE programmes.
  
  To be considered for a fellowshipfor the academic year 2016-2018 under WMO / UNESCO-IHE joint funding applicants must:
  a) have unconditional admission to one of the following UNESCO-IHE programmes: Hydrology and Water Resources; Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development; Hydraulic Engineering - Land and Water Development; Water Resources Management; Hydroinformatics - Modelling and Information Systems for Water Management; Water Quality Management; or, Hydraulic Engineering - Coastal and Port Development. Unconditional admission implies UNESCO-IHE have agreed to both your academic and language suitability.
  b) complete and submit a WMO Fellowship Nomination Form (FNF) to WMO by 1 March 2016. The FNF MUST be submitted through, and approved by, the Permanent Representative (PR) of your country with WMO, click here for the contact details of the PR of your country. Please note that the PR may give preference to personnel from the National Meteorological Service or National Hydrological Service of their country. The WMO Fellowship Nomination Forms (FNF) are available here.
  c) be medically fit (see WMO FNF for details).
  d) inform Ms Ineke Melis, UNESCO-IHE liaison officer for WMO fellowships, in case you are going to request WMO support: i.melis@unesco-ihe.org

  
  For WMO to consider the fellowship nomination all of the above conditions must be met. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified through the PR of their country by the end of July 2016. For further information email: detr@wmo.int.

  more info: www.wmo.int

Application & Admission

Admission requirements

Academic admission to the Master programmes may be granted to applicants who provide evidence of having:

• a university level Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field for the specialization, which has been awarded by a university of recognised standing.
• a good command of the English language, if this is not the first language. All non-native English-speaking applicants must satisfy the English language requirements for all UNESCO-IHE's educational programmes.

Working experience in an environment related to the specialization is an asset. At least three years experience is in general preferred.

Application procedure

For admission to the programme please complete the online application form. The link is available at the top of this page. Collect the required documents and attach them to the online application form:

• Certified copies of degrees/diplomas.
• Certified copies of academic transcripts. Authenticated or certified copies are copies with an official stamp to verify that the copies are true copies of original documents. This official stamp may be from one of the following: a solicitor/notary, the educational institution from where the student gained the diplomas or the local council/local authority/local government office.
• Two reference letters, preferably one from a person that can judge students' professional abilities and one from a person that can judge his/her academic abilities. One recommendation letter has to come from the current employer (if available) and another one from the university the student graduated from. Letters have to be printed on company (logo) paper and signed.
• Motivation letter (maximum 500 words explanation why he/she applies for admission to the choosen programme).
• Copy of passport.
• Copy of results of English language test score (if required, see English language requirements).

Please note all documents are required to be in English, or officially translated into English.

Once academically accepted this admission remains valid for three consecutive years. In principle one can not apply for more than one programme per academic year. However, if a student applies for an Erasmus Mundus programme, he/she can also apply for another programme as long as it is not also an Erasmus Mundus programme. Academic admission to the programmes will be granted on the basis of a decision taken to that effect by the Academic Registrar, upon advice of the programme coordinator.

More information

Further questions about the application procedure can be addressed to:

Ms Marlies Baburek
Admission and Fellowship Officer
Email: m.baburek@unesco-ihe.org