EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE
The Education Exchange is an intercultural educational exchange between HZ University of Applied Sciences (HZ/UAS) and Wavemakers United.
The initiative connects international and Dutch youth around local water-related challenges, with cross-border collaboration, intercultural learning, and academic exploration at its core.
By bringing together the strengths of each partner, the project fosters innovation and awareness, building bridges between like-minded organizations and young people who share a passion for climate and water issues.
Together with additional partners such as Wetskills Water Challenges and the Youth for Water and Climate programme, students are given the opportunity to work in international, multidisciplinary teams on real-world case studies provided by companies and governmental organizations. In doing so, they gain valuable practical experience while actively contributing to solutions for today’s pressing water challenges.
THE OBJECTIVES
The collaboration aims to create impact with new, practical ideas in water management and climate adaptation while educating and connecting the water managers of the future.
In partnership with Wetskills Water Challenges, which often takes place during our international “Future is Now” events on stages such as the UN Water Conference in New York and the World Water Forum in Bali, participants work in multidisciplinary, international teams on real-world cases from companies and government organizations.
HZ/UAS University plays an active role, sponsoring yearly three Wetskills places for students in their Water Management program, enabling its students to gain international experience and contribute to innovative water solutions.
Together, Wavemakers, Wetskills, and HZ/UAS create impact and develop the water leaders of tomorrow.
- Empowering youth to engage with water challenges through education, inspiration, and collaboration.
- Introducing students to academic opportunities at the HZ and Zeeland, both as full-time and minor students, or youngprofessionals. - Contributing to the inflow in the water sector.
- Encourage long-term engagement with water-related issues locally and globally through professional and educational development and network building
VOICES OF PAST SUCCESSES
Wetskills World Expo Japan
HZ student Altracia Michael participated in the Wetskills program.
Altracia: “Japan taught me gratefulness, humility, and mindfulness. It strengthened my academic drive and reminded me why I chose engineering to one day contribute to sustainable water solutions in my own country and beyond.”
Wetksills World Water Forum Indonesia
Wavemaker and HZ student Emma Gavrilov joined the Wetskills program during the World Water Forum in Bali.
Emma: “Getting to work with engineers and data scientists from a completely different study but also culture opened my eyes so much. The way that they work and think from an engineering and different cultural standpoint is completely different form of approaching problems.”
Wetskills Romania
HZ student Willian Weits represented HZ and Wavemakers at the Wetskills in Romania.
Willian: ” Wetskills became the ultimate practical exam. It was where textbook principles of circular hydrology and wastewater treatment met the messy reality of budget limits, intermittent flows, and local climate. I didn’t just apply my knowledge; I learned to adapt it.
YWC and Wetskills
Lithuania and Hungary
HZ Civil Engineering student and Wavemaker Joey Louws participated in both Vilnius and Budapest exchanges of WetSkills and YMC activities.
Joey: “The educational exchange brought so much value to my personal and professional ambitions. Connecting with youth who shared the same values and drive for sustainable change inspired me to continue to explore outside of what I thought was previously possible.”
European Youth Parliament
Hungary
HZ student Mateo Groot represented HZ and Wavemakers at the European Youth Parliamen.
Mateo: “I had the privilege of actively guiding collaborative discussions and co-authoring our common commitment declaration, which encapsulates our collective vision for impactful advocacy and concrete actions that advance a sustainable and equitable future for the water sector.”
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT PARTNERS
Situated in Zeeland, HZ/UAS is a leading applied sciences institution of the Netherlands which is driven by
a strong emphasis on water management, sustainability, and international collaboration.
HZ/UAS promotes and supports active student engagement in real-world challenges, making it a perfect partner for cultural, educational, and environmental exchange. Additionally, the university highly values Dutch and international collaboration between students, and is actively seeking ways to promote this
A global youth network committed to supporting young professionals in water-related careers. The
group operates under the umbrella of the European Youth Parliament for Water and supports capacity
building, awareness, and cross-border projects.
Their organizational scope falls perfectly within the
needs of Zeeland as an exemplary portrayal of water challenges requiring cross-border collaboration.
Wetskills is a global non-profit that runs intensive, two-week “pressure cooker” programs for students and young professionals passionate about water, challenging them to develop innovative solutions for real-world water issues in international, multidisciplinary teams.
These events, often held during major water conferences, focus on hands-on learning, cross-cultural teamwork and networking.