Capacity Development for Learning and Knowledge Permeation

Silas Mvulirwenande (1978, Rwanda) graduated in 2004 with a bachelor degree in Sociology (with distinction) from National University of Rwanda. Thereafter, Silas worked at COTRAF-RWANDA, a Trade-union Confederation where he served as Research and Programme manager. In 2008, he was awarded a Netherlands Fellowship scholarship to pursue a master's degree in the Netherlands. He studied Urban Environmental Management at Wageningen University and graduated with a Master of Science degree in 2010. As part of the programme, Silas conducted a master thesis research on the non-adoption of benchmarking as a non-technological innovation in the Dutch municipal waste management sector, and undertook a four months internship at Vitens Evides International (VEI). There he assisted in the development of a VEI assessment tool for water operators. Eager to pursue doctoral studies, Silas enrolled only a few months later (January 2011) in the PhD programme of UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education and Delft University of Technology, under the supervision of Professor Guy Alaerts and Dr. Uta Wehn. Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Development Cooperation (DGIS), his research focused on understanding the modalities of knowledge and capacity development (KCD) in the water sector, with a particular focus on water supply utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Silas also followed the SENSE (Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment) Research School programme and co-supervised Master students. He has presented his work at international conferences, published a number of papers in peer reviewed journals, and served as reviewer of International Water Association conference papers. Silas also co-organised and facilitated workshops on KCD at international conferences on water. His research interests include water utility reforms, organisational change and innovation, learning organisations, knowledge management, institutional capacity, and KCD impact evaluation.