CAS Water Sanitation and Hygiene for humanitarian and developing contexts

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CAS Water Sanitation and Hygiene for humanitarian and developing contexts

This Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) course is designed to empower practitioners with an understanding of the fundamentals of the WASH sector, both in humanitarian and development contexts. It introduces students to the core principles of how to improve sustainable and equitable access to domestic water supply, sanitation services, and hygiene behaviours.

  • Neo Ecology/ Sustainability

  • Urbanisation

  • Health

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SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    CAS Water Sanitation and Hygiene for humanitarian and developing contexts

  • Credits

    12.0 ECTS

  • Start date

    January 19th, 2026

  • Finish date

    October 3rd, 2026

  • Registration deadline

    February 2nd, 2026

  • Language

    English

  • Fee

    CHF 4500 *

  • Duration

    120 Tuition hours

  • Performance method

    In presence

  • Attendance

    Daytime

*Detailed information available under Additional Cost Details

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After completing this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify and analyse context-specific challenges and plan tailor-made WASH interventions to improve sustainable access to WASH services and facilities in complex institutional environments, both in the field of cooperation and humanitarian aid.
• Conduct a context-specific public health risk analysis of inadequate WASH services and design appropriate prevention strategies.
• Conduct a systematic analysis of environmental, social, and technical problems, both in urban and rural contexts, and design appropriate intervention strategies.
• Implement the wide range of advanced WASH intervention tools: from specific technical approaches in water supply and sanitation to current methods developed in the field of hygiene promotion, as well as sectoral assessment tools.

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The course caters to those working in, or supporting professionals from, low- and middle-income countries and is ideal for professionals from:
• International development and humanitarian agencies
• Civil society or non-governmental organisations
• Government agencies
• Consultants and sector professionals

Professionals in WASH and development-related disciplines who would like to deepen their knowledge of water, sanitation, and hygiene in both humanitarian and development contexts would benefit from this course.

Admission is reserved for holders of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Candidates who do not meet the requirements but have significant experience in the sector can also be admitted.

Participation in individual teaching modules does not require special requirements. All courses are taught in English.

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Advanced Studies

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• Theoretical modules, ca. 120 hours of lectures and exercises.
The three theoretical modules will be held online from 19 February to 19 June 2026:
- Module 1: Drinking Water and Public Health
- Module 2: Environmental Sanitation
- Module 3: Sustainable Water Supply

• The practical module takes place from 25 September to 03 October 2026 in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

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The Certificate of Advanced Studies will be granted after completing written exams for each of the three theoretical modules. If an exam is failed, it can be retaken as an oral exam during the practical module. The CAS WASH grants 12 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points.

Course FC Study Program

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Cooperazione e Sviluppo

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The course is designed to give professionals a thorough understanding of the increasing complexity of the WASH sector. It teaches students the latest contextual and technical skills needed to plan, design and implement sustainable activities and programmes within the framework of the fundamental principles of the WASH sector, namely public health and equitable access to water supply and sanitation services. Designed to contribute to Agenda 2030 (SDG 6) by focusing on all aspects of sustainable WASH interventions, this course is strongly practice-oriented, allowing for a direct link between theory and practice, i.e., the complexity on the ground.

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SUPSI, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Continuing education
via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH - 6850 Mendrisio
dacd.fc@supsi.ch
T +41 58 666 63 10

SUPSI, Swiss University of Applied Sciences and
Arts of Southern Switzerland
Claudio Valsangiacomo
dc@supsi.ch
Phone +41 58 666 62 62

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SUPSI Course FC Dates

From February 19th 2026 to October 3rd 2026.
Kick-off meeting on February 19th 2026.

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Distance lectures will take place every Thursday starting at 1 pm (Central European Time = UTC+1). This schedule is flexible and will be discussed with participants and lecturers at the beginning of the course. A detailed program of the lectures can be downloaded from our website: www.supsi.ch/go/caswash.

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SUPSI Course FC Locations

• Theoretical Modules: The three online distance-learning modules require a suitable internet connection. The lectures will be held on the Zoom platform.

• Practical Module: The fourth practical module will be held in Mendrisio, Switzerland, at SUPSI, Centre for Development and Cooperation (logistical venue in Meride, Ca’ Stella).

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Dipartimento ambiente costruzioni e design

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Full training: CHF 4’500.–
Full lodging, food, and transportation in Mendrisio: CHF 500.–

The fee does not include transportation to and from Mendrisio. All course participants must have private health insurance to cover any possible health-related costs. The Programme Management has no bursary provisions for applicants of this course.

SUPSI Alumni members benefit from a 15% reduction on the registration fee. The reduction is valid if the person can prove that they have already paid the SUPSI Alumni membership fee at the time of registration. The 15% reduction on the cost of enrollment cannot be combined with other discounts.

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An online conference call will be organised to present the course, hear about your motivation, and answer your questions. All interested students are welcome to join this information session by getting in touch with us at dc@supsi.ch. Please do not hesitate to contact us; we’ll be glad to help.

For additional information on past courses, specific programs, and further details, please visit the following link: www.supsi.ch/go/caswash

SUPSI Course FC Contacts

SUPSI Course FC Responsibles

Organising Partners
• SUPSI, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Centre for Development and Cooperation, Mendrisio (lead)
• Eawag-Sandec, Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development, Dübendorf
• UNINE, Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN), Neuchâtel

SUPSI Course FC Teachers

Swiss and international experts from academic institutions, development agencies, and NGOs teach the online modules.

Argaw Ambelu, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Jamie Bartram, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, USA
Marc-André Bünzli, SwissAgency for Development
and Cooperation, Bern, Switzerland
SergioGelli,International Committee of the Red
Cross, Geneva, Switzerland
JürgUtzinger, Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute, Basel, Switzerland
Daniel Maselli, SwissAgencyforDevelopment
and Cooperation, Bern, Switzerland

Course Contact

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