Singapore Final 1 October 2013 - 003

Singapore, 1 October 2013 -- Winners of the Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge 2013 were presented today with the prestigious Singapore-Netherlands Sustainability Award by His Excellency Jacques Werner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Singapore and Professor Chan Eng Soon, Dean of the Facutly of Engineering of National University of Singapore. The event, which was held at the National University of Singapore’s University Town, was attended by some 80 representatives from industry, academia and government of both countries.

The winners, Yorick Broekema from the Netherlands and a team led by Leng Ling from Hong Kong, were recognised by Ambassador Werner for their original papers addressing this year’s theme on climate change adaptation: “Creativity and resourcefulness are keywords to deal successfully with climate change adaption. Singapore and the Netherlands are dependent on the innovative and creative input of young talent. The Embassy supports the Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge as it encourages students from all over the world to find innovative solutions for current water problems.”

Themed Adaptive Solutions for Climate Change this year, the Challenge invited participants to focus on the impacts of climate change and propose original adaptive solutions that address issues like water, nature, mobility, agriculture, energy, health, housing and recreation, in a holistic fashion.

Both winners came out on top after a 6-month competition, from October 2012 to April 2013, involving 24 students (16 individual participants and 2 teams) from 7 different countries. Participants were required to submit essay proposals, with solid scientific basis, for an adaptive solution for their own town, coast, river or delta in which they live in, combining a number of disciplines such as climate modelling, spatial planning, infrastructure and buildings, coastal engineering, governance and economics. 

Singapore Final 1 October 2013 - 004

[Photo: the event provided students a great opportunity for networking with the Dutch water sector community in Singapore]

Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge
Building on their global leadership in delta and water management and recognising the importance of engaging young talent with global water problems, Singapore and the Netherlands initiated the Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge, inviting students and young faculty to contribute their own original solutions. The first edition of the challenge was held in 2011/2012, presenting the first Singapore-Netherlands Sustainability Award to Anne Belski from Swinburne University and Victor Sim from Nanyang Technological University.

The Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge is supported by a group of prominent water organisations including NUSDeltares, PUB and Sustainable Development & Water Alliance. Lead corporate partner in 2013 is Van Oord. In addition, sponsorships are provided by Fugro, Hydronav, YJP Surveyors, Surbana, Boskalis, Royal HaskoningDHV and DutchCham Singapore.

Group Logos for website

Singapore - 1st Edition
Singapore
Singapore - 1st Edition
The first edition of the Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge challenged young talent to apply the main principles of Building with Nature in four different contexts.
Australia - 1st Edition
Australia
Australia - 1st Edition
AUSTRALIA LIVING WITH FLOODS was the theme of the first edition of the Australia-Netherlands Water Challenge. The theme reflects an important dimension of the approach that Australia and the Netherlands are taking to address water-related challenges, such as floods and droughts, focused on "living with" rather than just "fighting against" water.
China - 1st Edition
China
China - 1st Edition
The first Holland Water Challenge took place during the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. Marking the official opening of the Holland Water Week at the Netherlands Pavilion.
China - 2nd Edition
China
China - 2nd Edition
The second China-Netherlands Water Challenge in 2011-2012 invited students to submit innovative proposals in response to four cases as presented by the lead partners: Evides, Norit, TU Delft and the Province of South-Holland.
Singapore - 2nd Edition
Singapore
Singapore - 2nd Edition
The second edition of the Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge focused on climate change adapation - an area which features high on the agenda of both Singapore and the Netherlands and one of key research topics of NUSDeltares - a research centre set-up between the National University of Singapore and Deltares from the Netherlands.
Australia - 2nd Edition
Australia
Australia - 2nd Edition
Focus of the second Australia-Netherlands Water Challenge was on two specific dimensions of the information chain: (1) the potential of social media as a source of data (crowd-sourcing), and; (2) the potential of apps that enable people to make better informed water-related decisions.
Indonesia - 1st Edition
Indonesia
Indonesia - 1st Edition
The development of coasts and ports is of national importance to both Indonesia and the Netherlands. The first edition of the Indonesia-Netherlands Water Challenge invited students to explore innovative solutions for Jakarta Bay, balancing the interests of People, Planet and Profit.
Singapore - 3rd Edition
Singapore
Singapore - 3rd Edition
Taking on the urban water challenges of the 21st century needs vision and leadership, something Singapore and the Netherlands have learnt over many years. The 3rd Singapore-Netherlands Water Challenge challenged students to develop and express their personal vision and leadership on urban water management in the 21st century.
Australia - 3rd Edition
Australia
Australia - 3rd Edition
The third edition of the Australia-Netherlands Water Challenge focused on a key area in which Australia and the Netherlands want to work together which is to strengthen the resilience of their countries in the face of climate extremes. The program considered innovative ideas for resilience in the built, natural, social and economic environment.
Myanmar - 1st Edition
Myanmar
Myanmar - 1st Edition
Under the theme SMART DELTA, the first edition of the Myanmar-Netherlands Water Challenge is engaging students in Myanmar with the challenges of sustainable delta development. Students are encouraged to develop ideas and solutions for the Ayeyarwady Delta, supported by professional experts from the Dutch partners.
Indonesia - 2nd Edition
Indonesia
Indonesia - 2nd Edition
Under the theme BLUE-GREEN CITIES, the 2016 program engages students and young professionals with the challenges of sustainable city development in Indonesia.
Myanmar - 2nd Edition
Myanmar
Myanmar - 2nd Edition
Building on the first SMART DELTA edition of the Myanmar water challenge, the program in 2018 features two thematic tracks addressing key challenges for Yangon city: SMART PORT and HTEE CITY.
Myanmar - 2nd Edition
Myanmar
Myanmar - 2nd Edition
Building on the first SMART DELTA edition of the Myanmar water challenge, the program in 2018 features two thematic tracks addressing key challenges for Yangon city: SMART PORT and HTEE CITY.
Indonesia - 3rd Edition
Indonesia
Indonesia - 3rd Edition
You will be introduced to eco-smart port concept. Analyse current status of the port in Indonesia against the metrics of eco-smart port concept, consult to local people.
Indonesia - 4th Edition
Indonesia
Indonesia - 4th Edition
Indonesia Healthy Rivers Challenge 2020: Contribute to original ideas and solutions towards the sustainable development of river basins.
Indonesia - 5th Edition
Indonesia
Indonesia - 5th Edition
UNESCO Water Resilience Challenge: Recognizing the Role of Young People in Sustainable Development.