ITC alumni world bank brochure

ITC

FACULTY OF GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE AND EARTH OBSERVATION

EQUIPPING STUDENTS TO TACKLE ONE OF MANKIND’S GREATEST CHALLENGES...

‘ITC IS PROUD TO CONTINUE OFFERING A PREFERRED PROGRAMME UNDER THE JOINT JAPAN/WORLD BANK SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM’

USING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE TO CREATE REAL CHANGE One of mankind’s greatest challenges is to achieve a healthy balance between harnessing natural resources and maintaining an optimal natural environment. At the University of Twente’s Faculty of GeoInformation Science and Earth Observation, ITC, our goal is to equip individuals from all over the world for tackling this challenge. Our students, though from widely differing backgrounds, have two things in common: academic excellence and a drive to create change in their world. In this brochure, we present five of these change agents, each of whom has completed a Master’s programme at ITC with a scholarship from the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWGSP).

UNIVERSITY OF GLOBAL CHANGE LEADERS. “Geo-information is a rapidly growing industry worldwide. Geographical information systems and remote sensing tools can be used for solving real-world problems and complex issues concerning healthcare, food security, climate, water, urban planning, security and land scarcity.”

TOM VELDKAMP, DEAN AT ITC

ITC IN A NUTSHELL

INNOVATING GEO-INFORMATION MANAGEMENT WORLDWIDE At the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) at the University of Twente, we are among the world’s leading pioneers in our field.

• International postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) • Recognized worldwide for our achievements in teaching, research and capacity development • Strong focus on earth observation, generating spatial information, and developing data integration methods • Experts in providing tools designed to support planning and decision-making processes • Aimed at sustainable development and poverty alleviation in developing countries and emerging economies

NAME: PROF. DR. DERRICK M. DENIS POSITION: PROFESSOR AND DEAN AT VAUGH SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COUNTRY: INDIA STUDENT AT ITC: 2011-2013

WHEN DERRICK M. DENIS OF ALLAHABAD, INDIA, FIRST SAT DOWN IN AN ITC LECTURE HALL IN THE DUTCH CITY OF ENSCHEDE, HE HAD SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE. LATER, HE BECAME AN AGENT FOR CHANGE HIMSELF.

FROM PROFESSOR TO STUDENT TO CHANGE LEADER ‘For a professor to sit in class among students was an altogether different experience’, Derrick recalls. ‘I had to switch from ‘prof. mode’ to student mode.’ This role shift was tough, but he pressed on. ‘With the help of ITC’s encouraging and highly professional staff I bounced back, scoring higher grades as I progressed. All in all, studying at ITC was wonderful. It made me feel young. And being part of a unique community of citizens from all over the world changed my perspective forever.’

A FRESH ORGANISATIONAL PERSPECTIVE While studying, the professor from Allahabad was fascinated by the operational excellence of what he calls ‘one of the best institutions in Europe’. He observed ITC’s academic and administrative performance closely and with deep interest. Thus, when he returned home, he took with him not only a Master’s degree in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, but also a fresh organisational perspective. ‘Back In India I was appointed Dean of Vaugh School of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, an institute with 2,000 registered students and around 52 faculties

‘ STUDYING AT ITC CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE FOREVER’

– and the first school in the whole of Asia to

‘ITC was the best option among many,’

nisation. His studies at ITC are a huge help in

offer a Bachelor of Technology programme

he states. He was accepted and began to

all of this. ‘Remote sensing brings everything

with specialisation in Agricultural Enginee-

search for funding. To his delight, he found

together, providing solutions in many areas

ring. The many recommendations I made for

an offer on the World Bank website. ‘The

of life. ITC’s global outlook makes its alumni

academic and administrative improvement

scholarship I was awarded, along with the

truly global problem solvers. Studying at

– based on my experiences at ITC – were

constant support given me by my wife, made

ITC certainly helped me personally to think

gladly embraced.’

it all possible.’

global. It increased my sensitivity to the

A BURNING DESIRE TO USE REMOTE SENSING

‘ITC TAUGHT ME TO THINK GLOBAL’

Derrick has always been fascinated by maps.

Today, Derrick is still Dean at Vaugh School

hunger, drought and disasters with the hope

In 2011, a ‘burning desire’ to learn how to

of Agricultural Engineering & Technology. He

of overcoming them one day. It taught me to

process and use the resources made availa-

is also involved in ‘water budgeting’ with the

work hard to give others a better life.’

ble by remote sensing led him to sign up for

Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Rese-

ITC’s Master’s course on Water Resources

arch and working on the River Ganges’ water

and Environmental Management (WREM).

quality with the Indian Space Research Orga-

challenges around us. My time at ITC also taught me that good people exist worldwide – and that together we can combat poverty,

URBAN DEVELOPER WITH A HEART FOR PEOPLE BOLATITO DAYO-BABABTUNDE MANAGES LAND USE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA’S CAPITAL CITY. STUDYING AT ITC WAS A MAJOR STEP IN MANAGING HER OWN DEVELOPMENT AS A FEMALE PROFESSIONAL. Bolatito followed a Master’s programme in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Urban Planning and Management at ITC. One of the challenges, she recalls, was coping with a heavy workload. ‘The ITC curriculum requires you to take exams almost every 3 to 4 weeks. At the same time, we

were learning to work with various kinds of new software, such as Scenario 360, Erdas and ArcGis. It was hard work.’ Bolatito still benefits from this rigorous academic programme. ‘Studying at ITC really taught me how to work efficiently and to stick to my schedules,’ she says.

NAME: BOLATITO DAYO-BABABTUNDE POSITION: DEVELOPMENT CONTROL OFFICER AT THE ABUJA DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COUNTRY: NIGERIA STUDENT AT ITC: 2013-2015

‘ I HOPE THAT SOMEDAY IN MY COUNTRY WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE OLD, ABANDONED BUILDINGS AND FACTORIES TO CREATE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY’

HELPING COMMUNITIES THROUGH LAND USE As a Development Control Officer at Nigeria’s Abuja Department of Development Control, Bolatito’s responsibilities include guiding and controlling land use in the Garki District, located in the southwest of the capital city. ‘My job is to keep tabs on illegal development and to propose policies for effective urban management based on global best practices.

Resolving land use conflicts is also part of

tories to create something beneficial to the community – something that will alleviating suffering and improve the quality of life of the people living there.’

‘BE COURAGEOUS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A GIRL’ Bolatito is grateful for the positive growth and development she has experienced in her own life. ‘The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme has had

my work.’

a huge impact on my life,’ she says. ‘I was

Bolatito daily draws on what she learned and

fortunate to have been selected from among

experienced at ITC. ‘Studying at ITC gave me access to best practices in my profession as well as an opportunity to engage with colleagues from other parts of the world facing similar challenges.’ She adds that field trips during her studies in the Netherlands were also eye-opening. ‘We visited flagship projects in Rotterdam, where brownfield land was used for the creation of iconic buildings that providing housing, generated jobs, attracted investors and improved the quality of life of people living in the area. One striking example I remember was an old factory that had been transformed into a school.’

In Abuja, where urban settlements all too often face demolition, this kind of innovative land use is much needed, says Bolatito. ‘I hope that someday in my country we will be able to use old, abandoned buildings and fac-

motivated to persevere and I feel incredibly thousands of applicants. It is a great thing that the programme emphasises the education of women and girls, especially in countries in the southern hemisphere, where girls tend to be given far fewer opportunities for education. My advice to future scholarship applicants is: be courageous and determined, especially if you’re a girl from a country in the south, where financial resources for studying are limited. My story proves dreams can come true.’

NAME: K.C. BHAWANA POSITION: FORESTRY AND CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERT AT THE MULTI STAKEHOLDER FORESTRY PROGRAMME COUNTRY: NEPAL STUDENT AT ITC: 2013-2015

WHEN IT COMES TO THE MANAGEMENT OF NEPAL’S NATURAL RESOURCES, FORESTRY AND CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERT K.C. BHAWANA IS AN INFLUENCER WITH A WIDE REACH. HER STUDIES AT ITC INTENSIFIED HER IMPACT.

INFLUENCER WITH A BROAD HORIZON K.C. Bhawana works for the government of Nepal’s Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme, which is jointly funded by several European government agencies. Her responsibilities are broad. They include Programme Planning, Management and Facilitation, Human Resource Management and Capacity Building, Knowledge Management, Documentation and Communication, and Coordination, Collaboration and Networking. She designs annual programmes and leads forestry, climate change and disaster risk reduction interventions, contributes to capacity development in technical forestry and climate change, engages in knowledge management in the field of climate change adaptation and resilience building, and works closely with other climate change experts.

‘I REALLY LIKE THE WAY ITC INTERACTS WITH STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO PRESENT THEIR OWN THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS’

BROADENED HORIZONS On entering ITC’s Master’s programme

mensions of natural resources management.

module end parties – it is all really refreshing

Geo-Information Science and Earth Observa-

As a result, I am able to design and imple-

and memorable.’

tion in 2013, Bhawana decided to specialise

ment project interventions and strategies

in Natural Resources Management. The

that address the issues of poor people,

While she learned vital lessons on time ma-

decision has had a lasting impact on her

women and discriminated or vulnerable

nagement and meeting deadlines, Bhawana

career – and on the people and resources of

communities in Nepal. The ITC programme

especially appreciated ‘the way in which

her country. ‘Studying at ITC broadened my

equipped me to make a positive contribution

University of Twente staff deal with students

horizons in terms of thinking and problem

in the area of climate change. My work helps

and how they encourage you to present your

solving. I spend a lot of time in my current

climate-vulnerable households become more

own thoughts and opinions. Interacting with

job transferring the knowledge and skills I ac-

resilient and improve their livelihoods.’

scholars from different countries, exchanging

quired in the Netherlands to others through

ideas and working on a challenging project as

challenge of natural resources management

‘ITC ENCOURAGES YOU TO PRESENT YOUR OWN OPINIONS’

and areas such as climate change, governan-

Studying at ITC was a wonderful experience,

sions we had during field visits and assign-

ce and sustainable forest management.’ The

Bhawana says. ‘I would encourage anyone

ments really strengthened my ability look at

Master’s programme boosted Bhawana’s

interested in a career in Remote Sensing

things critically and developed my understan-

analytical and documentation skills, which

and GIS to choose ITC as a starting point. In

ding and leadership qualities.’

has enabled her to contribute more effective-

addition to academic rigor and excellence,

ly to policy advocacy. ‘My improved analytical

ITC and the University of Twente organise

skills have given me a better understanding

a lot of social events, such as international

of the pro-poor and governance-related di-

evenings and food festivals, sports days and

training programmes, seminars, workshops and publications. It all centres on tackling the

a team really boosts your learning attitude, your team building capacities and your ability to listen to others. The many vigorous discus-

NAME: MOSA MOSEME POSITION: STRATEGIC INFORMATION AND EVALUATION ADVISOR AT ELIZABETH GLAZER PAEDIATRIC AIDS FOUNDATION COUNTRY: LESOTHO STUDENT AT ITC: 2010-2012

USING DATA TO RESCUE KIDS FROM HIV/AIDS MOSA MOSEME’S DECISION TO FOLLOW HER DREAM OF FURTHER EDUCATION CHANGED HER LIFE – AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES, TOO. SHE USES HER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO BATTLE HIV/AIDS AND TO HELP OTHERS REACH HIGHER.

Mosa Moseme, or Mampho Mputsoe, followed the Master’s programme in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Geoinformatics at ITC from October 2010 to March 2012. ‘I am from Lesotho, a small country inside South Africa, where I work for the Elizabeth Glazer Paediatric AIDS foundation, EGPAF, in Maseru, our capital city,’ she says.

‘My journey began when I made a decision to follow my dream and further my studies. I had the greatest support structure ever: my husband. We started searching for institutions, universities and scholarships by browsing the Internet. Having been admitted at ITC in the Netherlands, I was up and about searching for a scholarship, when a friend suggested we try the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme. I applied and within a couple of months I received the long-awaited response: I was granted a scholarship.’

‘I FEEL LIKE A GURU ON HOW TO EXTRACT AND USE INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY LOCATION-BASED, WHICH WAS THE TOPIC OF MY THESIS’

‘I COULDN’T WAIT TO BUILD MY FIRST DATABASE’ At ITC, Mosa enjoyed the classes, gaining new knowledge and skills almost daily. I couldn’t wait to develop my first database!

I also attended social events and other activities, such as summer games and cultural

among children. She provides technical

become a guru in Internet-based approaches,

support to the Ministry of Health in monito-

as I always give informal lectures on how to

ring and evaluating the HIV and tuberculosis

contribute helpful information on social me-

programmes in Lesotho. Much of her work

dia and how to extract and use information

revolves around data: she is engaged in

– especially location-based, as at ITC I wrote

strengthening data capturing mechanisms,

my thesis on that topic.’

data management, data analysis, data quality at all levels – including, of course, the use of

AN INVESTMENT THAT WILL NOT BE WASTED

GIS data. ‘I use the knowledge and skills I

Mosa is thrilled that she was able to obtain

of recognition!

acquired at ITC all the time here in Lesotho,’

a Master’s degree in a field in which she

she says. ‘Not only that, but I also regularly

can now make a real difference. ‘I’m really

‘MUCH OF MY WORK CENTRES ON DATA’

assist colleagues through knowledge sharing

thankful I was one of the few individuals to

sessions. I feel I have become very helpful to

be sponsored. The investment will not be

my peers and to our community at large. My

wasted, as I intend to change a lot of lives.’

days. One event I enjoyed was the Day of International Students in The Hague. Seeing my country flag there gave me such a sense

Back in Lesotho, Mosa is Strategic Information and Evaluation Advisor for EGPAF, whose mission is to eliminate HIV/AIDS deaths

assurance, data dissemination and reporting

studies have enabled me to guide them forward in many ways. Somehow I feel I have

NAME: SHANTI BASNET POSITION: CHIEF SURVEY OFFICER, MINISTRY OF LAND REFORM AND MANAGEMENT COUNTRY: NEPAL STUDENT AT ITC: 2010-2012

MANAGING LAND IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY SHANTI BASNET OBTAINED A MASTER’S DEGREE IN GEOINFORMATION SCIENCE AND EARTH OBSERVATION FOR LAND ADMINISTRATION AT ITC. SHE NOW HELPS NEPAL’S GOVERNMENT MANAGE LAND IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY.

Shanti Basnet studied at ITC from 2010 to 2012, having been encouraged to pursue a Master’s degree by her employer, Nepal’s Ministry of Land Reform and Management. Leaving her home and family for so long was tough – as was the curriculum at ITC. But Shanti has no regrets. ‘I was lonely so far away from home; I had a one-and-a-half year-old child back home. But it was also a very interesting time and at ITC I made many friends from all over the world – most of them are still online friends today.’

Shanti gave her studies everything she had, she says. ‘The course involved a lot of hard work. But I can honestly say that my efforts paid off: the work I do now is a lot easier because of everything I learned in the Netherlands. One thing that stands out about studying at ITC, is that it makes you a lot more self-reliant.

A CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR IN ECONOMIC GROWTH

environment, and levy land taxes. Applying

‘The knowledge and skills I gained at ITC are

relevant principles of business administration

essential for my organisation. As a surveyor,

Land administration, Shanti’s specialisation,

and information technology, the ITC course

my responsibilities are to use geo-informati-

deals with regulating access to land and the

provides theoretical and practical knowledge

on science and land management principles

management of land. It is a critical success

and expertise in building a viable land admi-

to implement the policies of our Ministry of

factor in economic growth, food security, na-

nistration organisation.

Land Reform and Management. My know-

ture conservation and poverty reduction, the

ledge has really boosted our organisation’s

Reports of international agencies such as the

LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES IN NEPAL

World Bank, the European Union, Habitat,

Nepal faces numerous land management is-

FAO and UNDP all devote considerable at-

sues. These include pressure on biodiversity

DEEPLY GRATEFUL

tention to land issues and land policies. Land

and natural resources, land degradation, poor

Before applying at ITC, Shanti studied geo-

policy and land policy instruments determine

productivity of agricultural land, uncontrolled

graphy at Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal’s

how a government can provide access to

urbanisation and numerous others. Shan-

first national institution of higher education,

land, offer tenure security, regulate the land

ti and her colleagues are front runners in

located just outside of Kathmandu. Her Mas-

market, implement land reform, protect the

tackling these challenges. Comments Shanti,

ter’s degree from ITC boosted her career, as

protection of vulnerable groups and housing.

capacity in terms of offering effective services to land-related stakeholders.’

it led to her promotion from Survey Officer to Chief Survey Officer. ‘In the future, I would like to continue studying and get a PhD in land administration,’ she says. ‘I am deeply grateful to the World Bank for providing me with this opportunity.’

‘THE KNOWLEDGE I GAINED AT ITC IS ESSENTIAL FOR MY ORGANISATION’

Our goal at ITC is to help ambitious students become leading professionals, capable of acquiring knowledge in geo-information science and earth observation and translating it into practical solutions for real-world problems in their field of work. There are many more reasons why students choose ITC for boosting their capacities, skills and careers. For example:

WHY GLOBAL STUDENTS OPT FOR ITC - As an ITC student, you get to tap into our globally acclaimed achievements in teaching GIS and remote sensing - We ensure students get stuck into fieldwork abroad in almost all of our courses - As a faculty of the University of Twente, we offer a multicultural environment with students and staff from over 30 countries - ITC offers students a means of gaining valuable European and international experience - At ITC, students can expand their academic network through our strong ties with universities in China, Indonesia, India, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and many other countries - ITC graduates move forward in the world with a thriving network of global contacts - We are ideally located in Europe, just hours away from Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, London or Berlin - We’re connected to a beautiful university campus with modern accommodation and state-of-art facilities

UNIVERSITY OF TOMORROW’S PROBLEM SOLVERS. Developing countries are often hit hardest by the global challenges we face today. In our programmes, we equip students to take a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving in the context of international development, placing a strong emphasis on remote sensing and geo-information science.

6 GOOD REASONS FOR COMING TO TWENTE ITC is a faculty of the University of Twente, a university that is different than other universities. Here are six reasons why students love Twente:

We rank among the top research universities worldwide

We are among Europe’s most entrepreneurial universities

We have a beautiful and unique campus with state-of-art facilities

We are an international community with a full range of English-taught programmes

We combine global ambition with a small scale and a very personal approach

Our High Tech, Human Touch uniquely combines technology and social sciences

UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE FACULTY OF GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE AND EARTH OBSERVATION (ITC) VISITING ADDRESS Hengelosestraat 99 7514 AE Enschede The Netherlands POSTAL ADDRESS P.O. box 217 7500 AE, Enschede The Netherlands T: +31 (0)53 4874 444 F: +31 (0)53 4874 400 E: info-itc@utwente.nl I: www.itc.nl and www.utwente.nl/en