Trainers from The Netherlands visited the city of Durban from the 13th-15th of November 2019 to develop a course book and prepare presentations of two newly designed modules to be delivered in 2020. The first module of the Advanced Waste Water Treatment course is the Nutrient Removal and Sludge Treatment. The first module of the Basics of Drinking Water course is the Basics of Drinking Water Production.
The modules were designed prior to the development by a group consisting of an educational designer from World Water Academy as well as South African and Dutch trainers and developers. Dutch and South African trainers worked together on the module development in Durban, South Africa. The waste water developers included Nkosinathi Buthelezi (eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS)), Hans Mollen and Melanie Nuchelmans (both Regional Water Authority Brabantse Delta). The drinking water developers included Prathna Gopi and Buselaphi Ntombela (both EWS) and Ron Jong (KWR Water). Ron joined the working group through Skype and WhatsApp from the Netherlands.
The learning goals were formulated with consideration to different topics covered within a module and the time taken for the delivery of each topic using various interactive teaching methods. In every topic at least one interactive method is used. This is purposely designed to keep participants active during the module delivery. It is also done to have enough space in the programme to share experiences and collaboratively work in groups. This makes a module very practical and applicable to reality. In Durban the presentations were made and the course books were written.
The presentations and course book materials are expected to be ready before the end of the year. A review will follow before the first delivery of the modules in February 2020.
Bridging the Water is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme.