Introduction
The Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (DIGHR) at York University is launching a new Humanitarian Water Engineering Intensive Course this Fall. The course is an opportunity to gain practical knowledge of the design, construction, and operation of water supply systems in emergencies. It will cover both the theoretical fundamentals and the practical considerations of providing safe water, from source to consumer, in humanitarian contexts.
Course instructors are highly experienced humanitarian water engineering practitioners and researchers, and use curated readings, lectures, and group problem-based learning activities as teaching and learning tools. A certificate will be offered to participants upon successful completion of the intensive course.
This course will benefit individuals looking to enter or advance as WASH practitioners in humanitarian operations. We particularly encourage applications from:
- Humanitarian professionals from international NGOs, local NGOs, and UN agencies who are seeking to deepen their technical knowledge of water supply in humanitarian response.
- Professional engineers and other technical specialists seeking to gain an understanding of water engineering in the humanitarian sector.
- Graduate and upper-level undergraduate students seeking to deepen their technical knowledge and gain exposure to work in the humanitarian sector.
The course will be delivered remotely, with a combination of asynchronous and synchronous components, over 10 weeks commencing on September 20, 2021
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be equipped with the rigorous technical and contextual knowledge necessary for developing effective safe water supply projects in real-world humanitarian operations. Participants will gain theoretical and pragmatic understanding of five core technical areas essential for getting water from sources to people during humanitarian emergencies:
- water source development (groundwater and surface waters)
- water quality characterization and risk assessment
- water treatment methods, process selection, and design
- safe water supply chain (distribution and delivery)
- waterborne disease outbreak preparedness and response
Participants will also develop an understanding of the operational context of humanitarian response by engaging with a number of cross-cutting themes throughout the course:
- humanitarian principles, structures, and standards
- water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and public health
- needs assessments
- monitoring, evaluation & learning (MEL) and program modeling
- operational research and emerging questions
How to register:
Enrollment is capped at 30 participants and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified candidates. If you are interested in enrolling for the course, you can find more information and the application form on the course information page.
Course instructors will conduct periodic reviews of applications received and will invite selected candidates to register and complete the course fee payment. Please note that you must register by September 3, 2021, to be enrolled in the course.