Adam Mubeen
What were your expectations when you applied for a SIDS MSc fellowship at IHE Delft? And were these expectations met?
In the Sanitary Engineering specialisation, I expected to learn conventional and state-of-the-art methods of wastewater collection and treatment over a different range of economic and geographical settings, such as islands. I have learned both centralised and decentralised methods of treatment for wastewater, low and high cost methods that can be applied over a variety of local conditions. The program extensively covers conventional methods, but methods that are more novel are not detailed as much.
IHE Delft is a great place to learn, connect, and find your place in the world of water. Very few places in the world can provide you with the sheer amount of networking opportunities you will find in this institute. My experiences here will be the key to opening many doors in the future.
What can IHE Delft do to improve the impact of its programmes to support water management in SIDS?
E-learning materials that include new developments and innovative methods can be a useful tool for water managers. Some elective modules (faecal sludge management, decentralised water supply, and sanitation) have content that is extremely relevant for developing countries, such as SIDS, and can be included in the essential parts of the program. Workshops on translating learning in to the field and working environment.
How do you intend to apply your lessons learned?
As an employee in the regulatory authority for water and sanitation in my country, my work gives me the opportunity to make positive changes in the sector using what I have learned in Delft. This includes initiating changes to existing guidelines, research to identify and fill gaps in knowledge that will be useful for informing policy makers, and introducing more innovative methods of managing stormwater and wastewater in the Maldives.
How will you stay in touch with your fellow SIDS students and what could IHE Delft do to consolidate a community of practice amongst SIDS water professionals?
The various WhatsApp groups, Facebook and social media connections made during my one and a half years here will prove an invaluable asset. The information shared by the alumni officer will also be very useful in this regard. Further, IHE can facilitate the introduction of recent graduates to its many alumni within the students region and throughout the world, by organising online meetups. Encouraging alumni to share their experiences in the field through lunch seminars like meetings online can provide students with tools they can use in the future, in challenging work environments throughout the world.