Overview
Equip yourself with relevant and impactful skills to address the domestic and global challenges around safe and sustainable water and sanitation services (WASH). Hear from leading experts, connect with like-minded grad students, and gain invaluable hands-on experience.
The programme requirements are fulfilled over the standard duration of your degree (i.e. Masters – 2 years, PhD – 3 years) and provides supplemental skills, networking opportunities, and hand-on learning experience beyond what can be offered by a single graduate programme.
The programme is certified by CIFAL Victoria, an accredited UN International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (known by the French acronym CIFAL). CIFAL Victoria provides certification for training courses and programmes that build the capabilities of individuals and communities towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants who successfully complete this programme are eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion co-signed by UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) and CIFAL Victoria.
Weekly Sessions
Sessions are held, virtually, once per week from 9:00-10:00 am (PST). There are three main session types:
WASHTalks: engage with professionals and leading experts as they delve into a wide range of ongoing challenges and innovative solutions in the WASH sector (Trainees are alloted exclusive question time with the speakers; however, these sessions are also open to the public. You can find more information here).
Modules: expand your scope of knowledge through a broad range of skill-specific, introductory crash courses. Previous modules have included an introduction to audio/visual research methods, meaningful research ethics, and a researchers guide to field work.
Journal Club: explore and discuss relevant and impactful publications with your peers. Gain interdisciplinary insights from reading a diverse range of journal articles.
Mobility Training
Each year programme trainees have the opportunity to travel to Colombia and participate in the #WASHFieldSchool. This training will help you understand the practical scenarios in which water and wastewater treatment systems are used, and help you gain real-world problem solving skills and hands-on experience.Â
Activities in previous field schools have included: fabrication of a point-of-use (POU) water treatment system, field water quality testing training, visits to various water and wastewater treatment systems, and trainee-led conference presentations.
The mobility training component can also be fulfilled by participating in an approved research stay, intership, or field work of your choosing.
Cost & Funding
We currently receive generous support from NSERC and UVic for most of our funding activities. As such, there are no costs to join the programme.
We expect a high demand for this programme, the quality training we provide limits the number of trainees we can take on. So, not all interest applicants can be admitted.
(Note that some activities, such as the #WASHFieldSchool, have associated costs.)
 Is this training programme right for you?
- You are a grad student (Masters or PhD)
- You are looking to gain skills beyond what can be offered by a single graduate programme
- You want to connect and network with experts and peers working and researching in the WASH sector
- You are able to commit 1 hr/week, September through April, to attend online (typically Thursday from 9:00 – 10:00 am PST)
- You are passionate about applying your knowledge to the WASH sector in low-resource contexts
Interested? Email Us To Learn More!
