THE UNIVERSITY OF GLOBAL CHANGE LEADERS
One of humanity’s most significant challenges is to achieve a healthy balance between harnessing natural resources and maintaining an optimal natural environment. At the University of Twente’s Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, ITC, we aim to equip individuals worldwide to tackle this challenge. Though from widely differing backgrounds, our students have two things in common: academic excellence and a drive to create change in their world.
Here, we present a few change agents, each of whom has completed a Master’s programme at ITC.
Bormy Chanthong first studied Computer Science and Engineering in Cambodia. This gave him many career options, but it was only after his master's degree in Twente he really felt anything was possible for him. 'It was then that I was able to combine my software skills with everything that Faculty ITC had to offer, ranging from Geographic Information System (GIS) to 3D modelling, drone mapping, and remote sensing. That gave me even more opportunities to pursue.’
How does a graduate of Geo-Information Management become a politician in his home country in the Caribbean? ‘It has been an interesting journey,’ answers Matthew, who studied at ITC in years 1999-2000. ‘People ask me why I wanted to study at this tiny institution in this tiny region of the Netherlands. I wanted to experience something totally different. I wanted to see the world and learn to live on my own. And it was a great experience. ITC was one of the highlights of my life.’
The Environment & Agroforestry Foundation (EAF) is a non-profit organisation that has been working to conserve biodiversity in Ghana and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations since 2017. 'Our vision is to manage Ghana's natural resources, environment and agriculture to produce long-term socio-economic and ecological benefits,' says Agyapong. ‘We work in three regions and we do this together with local communities, because they directly deal with natural resources and influence their own environment.’
Kisanet Molla was born and raised in Tigray, a northern region of Ethiopia currently at war. She comes from a large family of eight siblings, who lost their mother at a young age. ‘I would be nothing without my family,’ she says repeatedly. Unfortunately, Kisanet hasn’t been able to talk to or see her loved ones in Ethiopia for months. ‘All communications have been cut off due to the war,’ she explains. On top of that, the alumna would not be able to safely return to Tigray. She has been actively advocating for the war in her home country to stop, placing herself in a dangerous position.
Right after she obtained her Master’s in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation in 2013, Parya Pasha Zadeh didn’t stay far from her alma mater. She was immediately offered a teaching position at ITC. After more than five years of teaching, she wanted to do something else, so she became a project officer at ITC. ‘I like being in academia, but I didn’t see myself getting excited about increasing the accuracy of a certain model with 2 percent. The thing I like most is seeing the bigger picture and making connections.’
Using spatial information and technology to solve health-related problems.
Hassan Aladapo graduated in 2021. During his Master’s, he became especially interested in geo-health.
Remote sensing applications can support decision-makers to tackle climate change effects
Alejandra Torres Rodriguez graduated in 2020 and has taken up a position as a PhD candidate as part of BIOSPACE project led by ITC.
Better data, better farming
Stella Murai graduated in 2019. She currently works as a geospatial and remote sensing consultant with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Got the knowledge and skills to b a geospatial genius
Eufrasia Bianca A. Diatmiko (Inka) graduated in 2018. She now works as a Solution Strategist Engineer at ESRI Indonesia.
She is still in touch with many alumni and lecturers
Moreblessings Shoko is an ambitious ITC alumna from Zimbabwe, and about to obtain her doctoral degree at the University of Cape Town’s Geomatics Division.
Urban developer with a heart for people
Bolatito Dayo-Bababtunde manages land use and urban development in Nigeria’s capital city. Studying at ITC was a major step in managing her own development as a female professional.
Influencer with a broad horizon
When it comes to the management of Nepal’s natural resources, Forestry and Climate Change Expert K.C. Bhawana is an influencer with a wide reach. Her studies at ITC intensified her impact.
Using data to rescue kids from HIV/AIDS
Mosa Moseme’s decision to follow her dream of further education changed her life – and many other people’s lives, too. She uses her knowledge and skills to battle HIV/AIDS.
Managing land in a sustainable way
Shanti Basnet obtained a Master’s degree in Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Land Administration at ITC. She now helps Nepal’s government manage land in a sustainable way.
ITC opened up global opportunities for her
Dita Anggraeni has been living in New York for five years, where she works for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as an in-house graphic designer of OCHA pooled funds.
ITC was the very first stone of his career
Chudamani Joshi was born in Nepal and works in Kathmandu as Special Advisor at the Embassy of Finland
From professor to student to change leader
When Derrick M. Denis of Allahabad, India, first sat down in an ITC lecture hall in the Dutch city of Enschede, he had some adjustments to make. Later, he became an agent for change himself.