The Hague, The Netherlands - Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda graced the launch of the book “The World of Water: The International Course on Water Use and Management in Cagayan Valley, The Philippines (2011-2015)” at the Leiden University during the 4th Louwes Lecture titled “Living with Water in the Dutch Delta: An International Reference Case in Water Governance” by Dr. ir. Gerhard van den Top, on 14 April 2016.
The book is among the outcomes of the partnership between the Isabela State University and Leiden University in the field of research and education, which was renewed in 2010 when the two universities, in cooperation with the Water Authority of Rijland, Mabuwaya Foundation and Louwe Fund, established the holding of a one-month international course on water and water management on a yearly basis at the ISU Cabagan campus.
Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda holds a copy of the book, which provides an overview of the five courses on water use and water management held in the Philippines. Photo by Marc de Haan
The water course, which is held every January, includes lectures and field research related on water use and water management. Around 14 Leiden University and 14 ISU students participate at each course to learn about water and environmental issues and gather practical experience in interdisciplinary, international teams. The students visit international and national organizations in Manila and Los Banos, Laguna and conduct a short field study on a theme related to water management.
To date, 160 foreign students participated in the course.
(L-R) Dr. Merlijn van Weerd, Dr. Mercedes Masipiqueña, and Prof. Dr. Gerard Persoon present the book to Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda. Photo by Marc de Haan
Two faculty members and three students from ISU attended the event, including Dr. Jovy Mendez-Servitillo and Dr. Mercedez Masipiquiena. The three students, along with a few Dutch students, gave a presentation about their experiences and the knowledge gained while undergoing the water course in Isabela.
(L-R) Mr. Raymond R. Andres, Ms. Dayan Darween Q. Delos Santos, Mr Bondee L. Peñaflor, Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Dr. Mercedes Masipiqueña and Dr. Jovy Mendez-Servitillo . Photo by Marc de Haan
Dr. van den Top is the Chairman of the Regional Public Water Authority Amstel, Gooi en Vecht and the first coordinator of the Cagayan Valley Programme on Environment and Development (CVPED) from 1989 to 1995.
Dr ir. Gerhard van den Top gives his lecture on “Living Water in the Dutch Delta: An International Reference Case in Water Governance”. Photo by Marc de Haan
The CVPED is the international cooperation between Leiden University and the Isabela State University (ISU), which aims to contribute to the growth of environmental science as an interdisciplinary field of research and education. The program ended in 2009.
The World of Water is a book of depicting colorful images and culture. Showing the challenge of the intercultural and interdisciplinary research that the ISU and Leiden University undertook, the book sets out a clear message that water is life. END