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Joint Degree Master Programme in Limnology and Wetland Management
Collaborating Institutions
1. Egerton University; Kenya
2. Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU University); Austria
3. IHE-Delft, Institute for Water Education; The Netherlands
Structure of the programme
This exciting International Master Programme comprises of 4 months study in each of the partner institution; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna (Austria), Egerton University in Njoro (Kenya), and IHE-Delft (The Netherlands) respectively. The 18-month programme starts in October every year and is suited to well-qualified graduates and mid-career professionals with a background in biological or environmental sciences and a special interest in aquatic ecology, applied aquatic sciences, limnology, wetland ecosystems, and aquatic resources management. The programme covers fundamental principles of limnology, monitoring and assessment, and their application to tropical ecosystems. It includes field studies on a range of surface waters both in temperate and tropical systems, among them Kenyan saline lakes, Lake Naivasha and Lake Victoria. The applications of these skills are developed through courses in experimental design, modeling and management for livelihoods. The twelve months course work is followed by a 6-month research project through one of the partner institutes. The research can be done in Austria, Kenya, and The Netherlands or in any developing country.
The structure of the programme is such that, successful candidates enrolled in the masters starts their 18-month journey of exiting study and fun in the beautiful town of Vienna at BOKU University in Austria, where the students are acquainted with basics in limnology, ecology of aquatic organisms, scientific methods and aquatic ecosystem Management. At BOKU University, the students study from October of every year to January when they do their exams and prepare for the second trimester in Kenya-the heart of Africa - near the famous parks, where the big-five are closer than you think. Students are housed in Egerton Njoro campus in homely based LWM houses, which are situated at a distance of 5minutes’ walk to the laboratories and lecturing facilities. This set up gives the opportunity to the international students to meet and interact with many other Kenyan and East-African students at the beautiful garden-like university campus. At Egerton University the emphasis is on practical approach to ecology, functions and livelihood of tropical aquatic systems; Ecology of stream and river, lake ecology, wetland for water quality and fisheries and aquaculture. This gives the students a chance to transverse to different parts of Kenya- The pride of Africa. The study period in Kenya is between February of every year to May when the exams are done and then they travel to IHE-DELFT, The Netherlands, which has many World Heritage site, famous for its history, music, theatre, opera, plus various leisure opportunities and outdoor activities.
In The Netherlands, the students stay in the historic old town of Delft with its scenic canals, and history of painters like Vermeer and the inventor of the microscope, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. Participants of the program have the opportunity to study with a community of exclusively international students from all over the world. At IHE-DELFT, the students are exposed to application and management approaches of aquatic ecosystems through in depth studies on wetland management and interactions with livelihoods, processes, systems modeling and consultancy to local authorities. The duration in IHE-DELFT starts from June to September when the exams are done and research work begins. The 6 months research project is conducted through one of the partner institutes which can either be in Austria, Kenya, The Netherlands or in any developing country in Africa, Asia and S. America
After 18 months the successful participants have a colorful graduation ceremony either in April or June in any of the 3 partner institutions. The graduands are awarded the prestigious Joint Degree Masters in Limnology & Wetland Management with a Certificate and Degree supplement signed by the 3 partner institutions.
Study conditions
Throughout the study students are provided with housing, airport transfer, transport for fieldwork, good internet facilities, and professional administrative support.
Admission requirements
Applicants are professionals with a bachelor’s degree preferably in Limnology, Applied Aquatic Sciences, Environmental Science, or related fields. Two to three years of practical or research experience since graduation is desirable. Teaching is in English.
Application/admission
Hardcopy Applications should be sent to the IPGL office in BOKU, Vienna. For more information on the application procedure please consult the following website: undefined for online BOKU applications and undefined for online IHE-Delft applications. The application will be considered for academic admission if and only when the candidate has successfully send the hardcopy application to BOKU and have applied for the programme online in both the BOKU and IHE-Delft portals. If positive the applicant will receive a provisional admission letter from BOKU University with consultation with other partner institutions. Many sponsors will require this admission letter for application for a fellowship. On securing of funds for study, the students will be registered in the 3 institutions
Postal address for sending application & certified documents:
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management,
IPGL Office,
Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33/DG,
1180 Vienna,
Austria.
EUROPEAN UNION
Applying for the Joint Degree Masters in LWM
More information about application for the programme can be found in the following website: undefined
Application of fellowships
For more information on scholarships please consult:
Facebook Page: LWMProgramme
Twitter: @LWMProgramme
In case you are interested in this programme please contact
Prof. Nzula Kitaka at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mag. Gerold Winkler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or
Mr. Edwin Hes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Programme Courses Schedule
Austrian trimester at BOKU
October – January
- Basics in Limnology
- Ecology of Aquatic Organisms
- Basics in Applied Limnology
- Aquatic Ecosystem Management
- Scientific Methods
Kenyan trimester at Egerton University
February – May
- Lake Ecology
- Ecology of Streams and Rivers
- Wetlands for Water Quality
- Fisheries &Aquaculture
Netherlands trimester at IHE-DELFT
June – September
- Wetlands for Livelihoods and Conservation
- Aquatic Ecosystems: Processes and Applications
- Data Analysis and Modeling for Aquatic Ecosystems
- Research methods & Summer school
September –March either at BOKU, Egerton or IHE-DELFT
- MSc Proposal, Research Thesis writing
April - June
- Thesis Examination, defense and graduation