Alumnus testimonial
Alumni Tomas Hidde Hoekstra - MSc International Land and Water Management
Tomas Hidde Hoekstra, Project coordinator World Waternet Ethiopia: “I work as a project coordinator for World Waternet from the Ethiopian capital Addis Abeba. World Waternet is a non-profit organisation of Waternet, the water utility of Amsterdam. I am involved in knowledge exchange and capacity building. We support multiple water utilities regarding wastewater, surface water and drinking water. I really like the diversity of themes within the projects.”
I am the bridge between the partners in Ethiopia and the Netherlands.
“I support the project leaders and project employees from the Netherlands, for example on a working visit to a wastewater project in Ethiopia. I then visit and call with the wastewater companies we work with in advance to coordinate the programme. I am the only one from World Waternet who is stationed in Ethiopia. That makes it challenging, but also a lot of fun. I am the bridge between the partners in Ethiopia and the Netherlands.”
Broad variety of tasks
“My work is very varied. I participate in the working visits, prepare reports and follow up on tasks with our Ethiopian partners. For example, for a drinking water project we provided training on installing and using flow meters. These allow leakage to be quickly identified. With the knowledge I gain during working visits, I look for possible collaborations with other partners, and new project opportunities. I also provide input to project staff, for example on how they can best adapt to the local situation and make training sessions more interactive and effective.”
Working with people from different cultures
“I completed both the bachelor’s and master’s programmes in International Land and Water Management. In these programmes I learned the basics of many aspects of land and water management, from making calculations for water flow to knowledge about water governance. Especially the variety of courses prepared me well for my current position. Because these programmes have many international students, I have learned to work with people from different cultures. This comes in handy now. I try to ensure that the collaboration runs smoothly. Now that I understand better and better how the Ethiopian context works, I can link it to the Dutch one.”
“During the bachelor's programme I conducted research into water permits at a water board in Tanzania. That internship prepared me very well for my current position. Partly because I have experienced how the formal reality of water management at government level differs from the practical reality of the farmers who use the water.”
Improving water management
“My position is part of the Young Experts Programme (YEP) of the Dutch Water Partnership (representative of the Dutch water sector abroad). They offer people with less than five years of work experience the opportunity to work abroad for a maximum of two years. I have a coach to spar with, and received training in project management, intercultural working and presenting. I have also set personal development goals on which I reflect. Moreover, I am part of a network of YEP people with whom I can share experiences.”
“My biggest motivation is improving water management in all kinds of places around the world, especially in challenging environments such as in Ethiopia. I really enjoy how different the world looks in Ethiopia, and navigating it and managing cooperation on water management here. I find inspiration in how people with different backgrounds establish a common goal, overcome cultural differences and work towards that goal.”