Solving global water problems requires a multidisciplinary approach of knowledge and skills. That is why the Wetsus Insitute and three Dutch universities offer a joint degree in Water Technology.
The master Water Technology is a two year programme offered jointly by Wageningen University, University Twente and University of Groningen with all education being provided at the Technological Top Institute for Water technology (TTIW Wetsus), in Leeuwarden.
In the field of water technology, breakthrough technological developments are required. Not only to enable the export ambitions of the water sector but also to solve global threats and challenges in society.
The main added value of the course lies in the multidisciplinary study of biotechnology and separation technology. Such a combined technological approach may offer a solution to global developments, within business and society, and have a worldwide impact on the demand for and use of water.
This program will qualify you as the expert who is able to participate in resolving world-wide water issues. It enables students to complement their Bachelor of Sciences diploma with scientific knowledge and capabilities that they need for a successful career in the dynamic international setting of business and research.
Why in Groningen?
- a multidisciplinary research program: cooperation with three Dutch universities and a Technological Top Insitute
- Water Technology is an area of expertise in which the Netherlands has gained an international reputation
- Commercial parties are involved in Wetsus and help to define and guide the research program
Job perspectives
The study domain is becoming more and more relevant due to the urgent need for new technologies to meet the global water problems. Water technology for public drinking water production and sewer water treatment is a very large market. Further, the largest use of fresh water is for irrigation purposes.
The industrial water supply and industrial waste water treatment also represent a significant market. There is no question that business involved in water technology will grow tremendously. Besides this human capital is a basic condition to guarantee the success and continuity of the development of sustainable technologies and a European know-how economy in water technology. In many EU countries the lack of talented technological professionals is becoming an increasingly limiting factor. The program prepares students for a professional position in the broad area of water technology. Graduates have good national and international career prospects in business and research.
Job examples
- Consultant or manager at a development project
- Designer of purification processes
- R&D department of companies, e.g. Arcadis or Philips
- PhD, starting a scientific career
Collaboration, Integration, and Top Level Research
As a student Water Technology you will be in the center of the multidisciplinary laboratory of Wetsus, in which 80% of the research will be carried out. Wetsus is situated in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. By inviting all the researchers to one location, maximal cooperation and creativity is generated. The researchers are seconded by the participating EU-universities at Wetsus, but the universities carry scientific responsibility of the projects.
In this way, an enormous intellectual and creative power will be focused on water technology and at the same time knowledge capacity will be build up by all the participating universities.
The Netherlands is Europe's leading country in water process technology. The Dutch government focuses in her innovation policy on water and has appointed Leeuwarden as the focal point for water technology development. This results in a supportive government policy in the form of enabling subsidies for water research and innovation. Around the Wetsus research and education facilities, a high-tech water campus is realised to concentrate know how, entrepreneurship, talent and venture capital. This attracts starting companies as well as research centers of large companies.
Wetsus is part of the Dutch Innovation Program on Water Technology. The innovation program aims for the development of sustainable water treatment technology with a strong focus on export. Wetsus, operating as as Technological Top Institute, takes care of the pre-competitive technology development within this program. Wetsus focuses on the research and development of entirely new concepts and on breakthrough improvements of existing technology.
In both cases, an entirely new approach has been chosen whereby the basic principle is always the integration of various knowledge disciplines. In addition to collaboration between industry and universities, there is also unique scientific collaboration within Wetsus. Many scientific chairs cooperate in the program. Leading researchers from various universities and other research institutes can physically work side-by-side in the Wetsus laboratory. This unique collaboration brings synergy and new creativity to the search for new sustainable water treatment technology.
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