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Independent expert committee assesses IHE Delft research as outstanding

Facade IHE Delft building

A committee of international experts highlighted the quality of IHE Delft research in a recent evaluation that also noted that the Institute’s strategy and aims are relevant to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The research of Dutch academic institutions is evaluated every six years. The recent evaluation, conducted by a committee comprising eight global experts, focused on IHE Delft’s societal relevance and research quality in the period from 2014 to 2020 as well as its viability in coming years.

 “The quality of the research by IHE Delft is outstanding. Already for decades it is one of the world leading institutes on water and sustainability,” the report states.

“The outcomes of the research not merely lead to scientific excellence, they have also served as input for governmental planning in various countries and led to spin-offs. Impact by the Institute is furthermore achieved by its major role in training and education of scientists, future water leaders, and civil servants.”

IHE Delft participated in the evaluation along with four other institutions that are also part of the Netherlands Research School for Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (SENSE). The evaluation followed the Strategy Evaluation Protocol of the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).

The evaluation recommends several actions for improvement, including further strengthening interdisciplinarity by working to integrate social sciences into institute research, ensuring that partnerships are sustainable and increasing the rate of open access publications. Several of the recommendations relate to areas the Institute is working to improve.

IHE Delft Rector Eddy Moors welcomed the evaluation: “The committee affirmed that we are at the forefront in our field, and its recommendations will help us ensure that we remain relevant in a changing environment. With climate change compounding water challenges around the world, there is a great need for our work and for the work of our alumni.”

To request the full Self-Assessment, please email communication@un-ihe.org.

About IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

IHE Delft is the largest international graduate water education facility in the world and is based in Delft, the Netherlands. Since 1957 the Institute has provided water education and training to professionals from over 160 countries, the vast majority from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

About the SENSE research school

SENSE is an academic network for integrated environmental and sustainability research PhD training. It is a partnership involving ten Dutch universities and research organizations. SENSE provides disciplinary and multidisciplinary PhD training, a network for high quality environmental and sustainability research, as well as a bridge for sustainable solutions at the science-practice interface.

More information: www.sense.nl