Mar 06, 2026

TU Dresden Joint Master’s Programme “Water Security and Global Change” receives IAHR–UNESCO Label for Water Training and Education

The international Joint Master’s Programme Water Security and Global Change (WSGC), jointly offered by TU Dresden, RWTH Aachen University, and IIT Madras with further cooperation by UNU-FLORES and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), has been awarded the IAHR–UNESCO Water Training and Education Label. The recognition highlights the programme’s outstanding contribution to international education and training in the field of water engineering and water security.

The label is granted by the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) as part of a flagship initiative of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP). It recognises academic programmes worldwide that demonstrate excellence in water-related education, strong scientific foundations, and relevance for addressing global water challenges.

The Joint Master’s Programme Water Security and Global Change is a two-year (120 ECTS) international Master of Science programme delivered entirely in English. It combines expertise from three leading institutions in water research and engineering: TU Dresden, RWTH Aachen University, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The programme is embedded in the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre Aachen–Bangkok–Chennai–Dresden (ABCD Centre) and represents a pioneering Indo-German educational initiative in the field of water and climate.

240813 Inaugural Ceremony ABCD group picture — Festive opening of the Master Program in August 2024 at IIT-Madras in Chennai, India

Students benefit from an integrated international mobility track across Germany and India, access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research infrastructure, and close interaction with internationally recognised researchers. The curriculum addresses key topics including hydraulic engineering, flood risk management, coastal and river processes, hydrodynamic modelling, water quality, and integrated river basin management.

Following a comprehensive evaluation by international reviewers, the programme was recognised for its strong academic coherence, interdisciplinary approach, and alignment with the needs of the global water sector. The evaluation particularly highlighted the programme’s international governance structure, high-quality teaching environment, and the strong integration of research and education.

The IAHR Executive Committee confirmed the award of the label and congratulated the programme partners on the high academic standards and global relevance of the initiative.

The recognition further strengthens the role of TU Dresden and its partner institutions in advancing international water education and preparing the next generation of experts to address the complex challenges of water security and global change.

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