IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Empowering Future Water Leaders from the Global South
IHE Delft envisions a world where people manage their water and environmental resources sustainably and equitably, contributing to a future free of poverty and injustice. Through high-quality education, research, and capacity development programs, IHE Delft has developed a network of over 25,000 alumni worldwide, working to solve water crises and advance the water-related Sustainable Development Goals.
The International Water Association (IWA) emphasizes that many countries in the Global South lack the technical expertise required for effective water governance, underscoring the need for greater investment in training and workforce data systems. The World Bank further emphasizes the human resource gap in the water sector, noting that men hold 79% of jobs in water utilities globally, including 78% of engineering and 76% of managerial roles. This gender imbalance reflects broader workforce challenges and limits the sector’s capacity to respond effectively to growing water and sanitation needs, particularly in underserved regions.
Sourced by Diversifying the Water Sector Workforce, World Bank, 2025
This partnership provides full MSc scholarships to three outstanding students from the Global South to study at IHE Delft. Over one year, the selected students will undertake the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development, a comprehensive programme covering water management, sanitation, climate resilience, and related fields. After completing the programme and earning their MSc degrees, the graduates will be supported in returning to their home countries.
The main activities of the programme includes:
- Scholarships for three students from the global south and/or countries with low water security.
- Support to Waterschool with a special focus on the improvement of teaching material/curriculum.
- Mentorship programme for scholarship awardees.
- Expert-led masterclasses for Swarovski corporate employees.
Images courtesy of IHE Delft
At the Swarovski Foundation, we take pride in partnering with education institutions like IHE Delft that are dedicated to addressing global water challenges.
The expected impact for the project is to build capacity in water management in the Global South by:
- Empowering emerging water professionals with advanced education and training, enabling them to become catalysts for improving water and sanitation conditions in their home countries. This directly supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enhancing alumni employability, income potential, and career advancement:
- 94% of IHE Delft MSc alumni are currently employed.
- 44% of alumni have progressed to a higher job level since graduation; 54% now hold senior roles and 16% are in executive positions.
- 72% attribute their career advancement or promotion directly to their education at IHE Delft.
- 68% report satisfaction with salary and work conditions, particularly those working in international organizations.
- 73% of alumni work in roles closely related to their MSc training, demonstrating the strong relevance of the programme to labour market needs.
- 24% have gone on to pursue a PhD, and 42% have completed additional professional certifications, showing a commitment to lifelong learning.
- 47% reported that their employers advertised water-related job openings in the past two years, indicating strong and growing sector demand.
Spurring the further development of the Swarovski Foundation Waterschool initiative, helping build water awareness and environmental stewardship from an early age while creating pathways for youth engagement and education.
