We’re thrilled to organize our jubilee Wetskills event (nr. 10) in The Netherlands. This exciting event was aligned to the Amsterdam International Water Week (AIWW 2025) and the Aquatech in Amsterdam (10-14 March 2025).
For this event we welcomed 14 participants from 7 countries: Oman, South Africa, Romania, Vietnam, UK, NL and Bangladesh. Follow their blogs and pictures, and the event video!
We had an unforgettable two-week program that brought together vibrant, multidisciplinary teams of three to four participants. Our mission? To develop groundbreaking solutions for real-world challenges presented by our esteemed case owners from across the water sector—industry leaders, government agencies, NGOs, and knowledge institutes.
A unique learning experience where you will tackle real-life water challenges with your own team!
♦ You will increase your skills in: international cooperation; problem solving, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary teamwork, networking and presenting (pitch & poster);
♦ You will get the opportunity to connect with other international water students/young professionals;
♦ You will visit the Wetskills finals and awarding at the Amsterdam International Water Week and Aquatech;
♦ You will visit Amsterdam and surroundings: water-related, natural and cultural sites, and meetings with water experts;
♦ You will learn, network and experience more about international and regional water challenges, the main stakeholders and organisations, contemporary issues and current business opportunities;
♦ You will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the program.
More information
For information regarding participation and other details, please contact Johan Oost, johan.oost@wetskills.com
Case owner: City of Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
Rotterdam is often seen today as a ‘car city’ with expansive roads cutting through its busy center. Yet until the early 20th century, it was a true ‘water city’, defined by a network of canals. With the growing number of automobiles, many of these historic waterways were transformed into roads. Now, the city council is ready to turn back the clock and revive Rotterdam’s water heritage: Transforming roads into canals. You are invited to re-imagine this transformation. How can we create space for new surface water in a city where every square meter counts?
Case owner: Dept of Water & Sanitation (South Africa)
In an era of rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a transformative opportunity to enhance wastewater treatment by learning from existing knowledge and continuously improving the system over time. This project requires participants to conceptualize an AI-driven wastewater treatment system, that can self-optimize by learning from scientific literature and adapting treatment processes or microbial compositions to improve performance. The team will focus on designing a theoretical framework, identifying key principles of AI, and exploring how AI can enhance wastewater treatment.
Pitch & Poster
Pitch & Poster – winning team!
Case owner: Blue Deal Romania
This project aims to restore the Listeava wetland on the Jiet and Dunbe Rivers, with a rehabilitation of natural habitats, enhancing biodiversity, and improving water quality, while also fostering ecological resilience. By assessing water footprints, companies in the region can contribute to wetland improvement efforts. How can Apele Romane develop a collaborative model to engage companies with water usage impacts in specific regions in Romania, encouraging (co-)investment in sustainable water management initiatives to ensure equitable and efficient water resource allocation?
Case owner: Waternet (The Netherlands)
Biobased products can support the circular supply chain. This case focuses on 2 biomass-sources for biobased products. In the region managed by Waternet, alternative crops like cattail and reed grow well in wet peatlands. Besides, Waternet creates amounts of reed-residues by mowing water bank edges. The circular supply chain for these materials is not fully active yet, the next steps involve developing a business model and roadmap for sustainable biobased products. How can this business model be created and implemented, while considering that farmers need an incentive to grow specific crops?
Pitch & Poster
Pitch & Poster
