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Maria Luisa Salingay

I believe that the WQM programme will provide me with the additional set of skills and knowledge to become an actual water leader.

East Asia and Pacific
The Philippines East Asia and Pacific

What made you decide to study this particular programme?
While working as a chemist, I started to become more and more interested in climate change and especially water related issues. This made me decide to focus more on the water field. Since I have a technical background, the most common decision would be to choose a MSc in Environmental Science. However, I believed that the Water Quality Management programme could provide me the additional set of skills and knowledge to become an actual water leader. After completion I'll be able to combine my technical knowledge with good management skills.   

Can you say something about studying in Delft/the Netherlands? 
Studying in the Netherlands is pretty different from studying in the Philippines. The professors at UNESCO-IHE are internationally well respected. Therefore, at first it was quite strange that their approach was very informal. Although these professors have achieved very much and have way more knowledge and experience than us, they are very interested in the view and experiences of students. This interactive style is really refreshing and contributes to my development.  

What kind of professional background do you need to succeed in this programme?
In terms of professional backgrounds, the Water Quality Management programme is an interesting specialization. In class there's a wide range of specialists, both social and technical. Therefore, you can see that students with a more social background are sometimes struggling with the technical modules and vice versa. But that never became a real problem, because all the students were helping the ones that found the module difficult. We are really in this together. 

Why should new students/water professionals choose this programme? And do you have any advice for them?
Because it will create a lot of career opportunities. Especially if you already have a scientific background, this specialization will definitely help you become a good manager in the field of water. And UNESCO-IHE is the ideal place to do this programme, because the professors and lecturers are real experts in their field.  

What are you going to do once back home?
Ideally, I will work for an industrial consultancy after returning to the Philippines. Although, I used to be pollution control officer for the government, I would like to focus more on water policy in the near future. 

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More information about Water Quality Management.

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