Creating leaders in water education

The Rotary Foundation and the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education have partnered to award scholarships to water and sanitation professionals. The scholarships are intended to develop solutions to the world’s water and sanitation challenges in developing countries and are awarded to young and mid-career professionals from around the world to study for a Master’s degree in Water and Sustainable Development at IHE Delft, Netherlands. Since 2012, TRF has awarded over 165 scholarships to 96 students from 31 countries with a total value of over $5 million.

It was during the pandemic that a young professional, Sajib Manash Mahanta, from Guwahati, Assam, with an MSc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, expressed his desire to join this prestigious course. An online interview was organised with RID 3240’s DG and other district officials, and he was approved as the district’s candidate nominated by our club, RC Dibrugarh. A global grant which followed with the generous support of TRF and Rotary Districts 1600 and 3240, not only allowed him to join IHE but also gave him the opportunity to be part of a larger network in the water sector.

The FINISH Mondial programme has facilitated the construction of 1.5 million toilets, providing improved sanitation to 8 million individuals across Asia, Africa and South America.

Sajib was drawn to the study of water services, firmly believing that access to water is one of the most critical issues facing the world today. It was in the picturesque city of Delft in the Netherlands that he embarked on a transformative academic journey in 2021 which he successfully completed two years later.

At the initial stage of the scholarship, the focus was on acquainting the students with the life and culture of the Netherlands as well as the Rotary family they came in touch with. Students of the course participate in fundraising events for these scholarships at IHE Delft itself, or during district events held in any of the Rotary districts in the Netherlands or nearby countries. Upon arriving at IHE Delft, Sajib met Rotary host counsellors Niek Jonkman and Titia, who became like family to him. They provided him with a home far away from his home in India. He accompanied Jonkman to many Rotary events and shared his journey from India to IHE, along with his work in water governance.

PDG Bas Hendriksen took him to many Rotary meetings in the Netherlands as that of RCs Rijswijk, Voorburg and Granvenhage Oost, as well as the clubs in Belgium. His MSc thesis focused on mutuality in water operator partnerships, exploring the collaboration between Vitens Evides International, a water operator in the Netherlands, and water boards in Malawi, South-East Africa. Through his research, he found that mutuality played a significant role in the effectiveness and success of partnerships, but it lacked a clear, linear assessment process. To gain deeper insight, Sajib conducted research in Malawi, residing there for two months, collecting data and conducting interviews. This experience enriched his thesis and provided a profound understanding of the challenges of water access in the country. It also enabled him to forge lifelong friendships with the local people in Malawi.

Since 2012, TRF has awarded over 165 scholarships to 96 students from 31 countries with a total value of over $5 million.

Sajib is grateful to the professors at IHE Delft, particularly Dr Klaas Schwartz, for their unwavering support and belief in his research endeavour. The experience at the institution has not only shaped his academic pursuits but also broadened his horizon, fostering a sense of responsibility towards addressing global water challenges.

Following his graduation, he embarked on a fulfilling journey with WASTE NL, an NGO headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. At WASTE NL, his responsibilities revolved around the monitoring and evaluation of programmes, along with leading impact assessment and other research initiatives. Presently, he is involved in the FINISH Mondial programme, an ambitious endeavour striving to create a world where every individual has access to safely managed sanitation and is financially empowered. Since its inception in 2009, this programme has been a beacon of hope with remarkable achievements. To date, it has facilitated the construction of an impressive 1.5 million toilets, extending the benefits of improved sanitation to a staggering eight million individuals across Asia, Africa and South America. Moreover, these efforts have translated into the creation of 16 million workdays, with a significant focus on the construction sector, thereby fostering economic growth and empowerment.

Drawing upon the wealth of knowledge and expertise nurtured in the Netherlands, Sajib has embarked on field studies in India, where he strives to translate the programme’s successes into tangible outcomes. These field studies serve as crucial platforms for implementing innovative solutions and strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by communities in India. Additionally, his professional journey has taken him to diverse corners of the globe, including field visits to Kenya. These experiences have provided invaluable insight, enriched his understanding of local context, and reinforced his commitment to bringing about positive change on a global scale.

The young Rotary alumnus looks forward to contributing to the water management domain and making a positive impact on those who do not have good access to this invaluable resource. The knowledge gained, friendships forged, and the guidance and care received from the Rotarians of the Netherlands will forever remain etched in his heart, inspiring him to move ahead with determination and compassion in pursuit of a better world.

As a Rotarian, I am grateful for the opportunity to make the young water professional’s dream a reality through our wonderful scholarship programme at IHE Delft Netherlands.

The writer is a past district governor of RID 3240

More information at https://www.un-ihe.org/education/master-programmes/rotary- scholarships-water-and- sanitation-professionals