First class of scholars sponsored by Rotary will begin studies in water and sanitation at the UNESCO-IHE program in Delft, The Netherlands

- Partnership tackles the world's water and sanitation crisis in the developing world by training professionals to address these challenges

DELFT, Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight scholars, sponsored by Rotary International, will begin an 18-month academic program at UNESCO-IHE, a United Nations Institute in Delft, The Netherlands on 18 October 2012.

The Rotary and UNESCO-IHE partnership was established in 2011 to address the world's water and sanitation crisis by increasing the ranks of trained professionals critically needed to devise, plan, and implement solutions in developing countries that bear the brunt of the problem.

Through this strategic partnership, The Rotary Foundation – the charitable arm of Rotary International – provides grants to Rotary clubs and districts to select and sponsor eight students each year for scholarships to any of three 18-month Master of Science degree programs at UNESCO-IHE, which is the world's largest postgraduate water education facility. The school's scholarship-eligible programs are Municipal Water and Infrastructure, Water Management, and Water Science and Engineering.

"By identifying high-quality, high-potential candidates for these scholarships, Rotary clubs help the countries most impacted by the water and sanitation crisis increase their capacity to identify and implement solutions. It is a strategic, long-term investment with long-term benefits," said Rotary Foundation Chair Wilfrid J. Wilkinson.

Apart from the funding by The Rotary Foundation, Rotary clubs and Rotarians are mentoring the students both in their home country as well as during their stay at UNESCO-IHE in The Netherlands. Relationships and networks are built that enable the students to effectively implement their skills upon return to their home country. "This is extremely important for the success of the partnership," said social program coordinator Henk Jaap Kloosterman. "These students are moving to a foreign country with a different culture to learn a new profession, which in itself is quite a challenge. Local Rotarians are there to support these young, dynamic people who have the drive to improve the living conditions of their countrymen, who often lack access to clean water."

"My academic program and future career will predominantly help towards addressing my community's water and sanitation issues by embarking on groundwater exploration, organizing training at the local government …making available well-designed disposal facilities, and carrying out routine water quality assessment," said Rafiu Jimoh; Lagos, Nigeria.

According to a joint report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, about 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to improved sanitation facilities. About 884 million obtain water for drinking, cooking, and washing from unprotected sources. Waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, claim nearly two million lives a year, most of them children under age five. The continuous task of fetching water keeps millions of people, especially women and girls, from going to school and holding productive jobs. Improved water and sanitation is key to reversing this trend.

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, under its new Future Vision plan, seeks to forge strategic partnerships with established organizations with expertise in Rotary's six areas of focus, one of which is water and sanitation. The other focus areas are peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. The foundation grants support major international projects with sustainable, high impact outcomes.

ABOUT ROTARY: Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. The first Rotary club was founded in Chicago in 1905. For more information, visit rotary.org, to access broadcast quality video footage and still photos go to: Media Center.

ABOUT UNESCO-IHE: UNESCO-IHE is the largest postgraduate water education facility in the world and the only institution in the UN system authorized to confer accredited Master of Science degrees and Ph.Ds. Since 1957 the Institute has provided postgraduate education to more than 14,500 water professionals from over 160 countries, the vast majority from the developing world. Research performed by over 95 Ph.D. candidates has led to numerous "innovations" and capacity building projects. For more information, visit unesco-ihe.org.

ABOUT THE STUDENTS: Eight UNESCO-IHE students have been selected for a 2012-2013 Rotary Scholarship: Temesgen Adamu (Ethiopia), Godfrey Peterson Baguma (Uganda), Kenechukwu Okoli (Nigeria), Annet Ahimbisbwe (Uganda), Rafiu Jimoh (Nigeria), Bernice Asamoah (Ghana), Juma Haineni (Kenya) and Ganzalo Duro (Argentina).

Rotary-fellowship in Lagos (Nigeria), in anticipation of the start of the program: "Dr Bolaji Ogunlari (TRF Officer in Nigeria), Henk Jaap Kloosterman (RC Voorburg-Vliet, The Netherlands) and Kenechukwu Okoli (one of the UNESCO-IHE students).