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A specialist course for PhD researchers | Autumn 2026

Water is under pressure, from climate change on one hand and from the growing demand for industrial water reuse on the other. Yet many young researchers graduate with limited insight into how these challenges actually play out on the ground, at full industrial scale. This course bridges that gap. Over the course of the first semester, participants will hear directly from professionals working at the frontline of the water industry: drinking water, process water, resource recovery, river management and industrial water reuse. Next to that you will get a firsthand look at how theory translates into practice.

What to expect?

Each Tuesday afternoon, two experts from academia and industry take the stage for focused, 1-hour talks on a shared theme. Topics range from direct water reuse and resource valorisation to river management, emerging contaminants (OMPs), and industrial implementation, building a broad, practice-oriented picture of the water sector today.

The programme concludes with a site visit, giving participants the chance to see these technologies in action and to network with peers and professionals in the field.

Full schedule

  • 13–14 lecture sessions of 1 hour each (two per afternoon)
  • 1 site visit (± 4 hours)
  • 20 contact hours in total

program

(This is not final yet and maintains open for changes)

Why join?

  • Get a real-world view of industrial water production and treatment, beyond the theory
  • Learn how sustainable water technologies are actually implemented at scale
  • Pick up the language and practices used across the water industry
  • Meet and connect with professionals and peers active in water research and practice

This course has run successfully several times since 2017, and has consistently been very well received by participants.

Who is this for?

  • PhD researchers active in the field of water research. No prior industry experience required.
  • Industry professionals

Places: minimum 10, maximum 50 (in person), the course will also be available digitally.

Practical information

  • Will take place at CAPTURE building,  Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052 Ghent unless there is a site visit
  • Organised by: prof. Marjolein Vanoppen and Kimberly Solon from Ghent University, support by Francis Meerburg and Jan Arends from CAPTURE
  • Evaluation: minimum 80% attendance and active participation

Registration link here (TBD)