The COFER-WASH cluster is a new collaborative network of seven academic institutions in Switzerland (Eawag-Sandec, UNIBAS-Swiss TPH, UNINE, FHNW, FHO, PHZG and SUPSI) each active in the sector of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) since decades, both in the education and the research sectors. The added values of this COFER are the representation of different linguistic areas of Switzerland (German, French and Italian), the coverage of all different types of Swiss academic institutions and their respective educational and practical expertise related to WASH both in Switzerland and in developing countries.The South Partners of the Consortium are in Ethiopia (Jimma University) and in the Ivory Coast (Centre Suissse de Recherches Scientifiques).

Access to clean water and improved sanitation are preconditions to survival and good health of people and thus critical to sustainable development. Educational approaches of good quality, taking into account local habits and prior knowledge of students and well-connected to local curricula play an important role in conveying relevant knowledge and skills in the field of WASH.

Project summary

Swiss Partners

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)
Prof. Dr. Claudio Valsangiacomo

University of Applied Sciences Eastern Switzerland, HSR-Rapperswil (FHO-HSR )
Prof. Dr. Michael Burkhardt

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
Dr. Maryna Peter

University of Neuchâtel (UNINE)
Dr. Ellen Milnes

University of Teacher Education Zug (PHZG)
Eveline Steinger

University of Basel, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH)
Prof. Dr. Jürg Utzinger

Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG-Sandec)
Dr. Christoph Lüthi

South partners

Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS), Côte d’Ivoire
Prof. Dr. Bassirou Bonfoh

Jimma University, Ethiopia
Prof. Dr. Argaw Ambelu