Student stories EPA

Meet the EPA Students!

Ryan Yi Wei Tan

Hi, I'm Ryan Tan from Singapore! I did my bachelor's in mechanical engineering from the National University of Singapore. My interests are on climate change adaptation and sustainable transitions! I heard about EPA when I was searching for a policy-related master's that provides the framework for evidence-based decision making. EPA definitely delivered this for me through the challenging simulation and data science modules. My favourite thing about EPA is the diverse community where my peers have enriched my education through their broad experiences and common passions. 

Nachiket Kondhalkar

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nachiket Kondhalkar, and I am from India. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Mumbai University and a Post Graduate Diploma in CBRN and National Security from Pune University.

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When I came across EPA, I was searching for a program that would allow me to combine my technical knowledge with the values and principles of policy analysis, enabling me to make a meaningful impact on the world around me. EPA's multidisciplinary approach aligned perfectly with my goals, which is why I chose it. My experience with EPA has been fantastic so far, and I have learned a lot academically and personally. One of the most important lessons I have learned is the art of problem formulation and analysis, which helps me avoid rushing into solutions without understanding the underlying issues. What I appreciate the most about EPA is the vibrant environment that can be found on the 5th floor. Throughout the day, one can hear fascinating discussions on a broad range of topics, from the mundane to the intricate. Regardless of the subject matter, each conversation is treated with equal seriousness, allowing for intriguing exchanges and a valuable opportunity to learn from others. As for myself, I occasionally prefer listening in to actively participating. 

Rhys Evans

I am Rhys! I’m originally from the UK, but I grew up in the US and did my bachelor's in Maastricht in the Netherlands. I am part of the 2021-2023 EPA cohort!

I did my bachelor's in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, but I’ve always been interested in politics. When I found out about EPA, I thought it was the perfect bridge between my technical background and my political passion. I chose EPA to be able to work towards creating data-driven public policy in order to make smarter decisions in both the public and private sectors.

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How do you feel during your study here at EPA?
So far, I am thoroughly enjoying my time at EPA. I love working in an international environment, so it has been great to meet students from all around the world. 

What is the most interesting thing you learnt or found here at EPA?
I am only in my first semester, but the most interesting thing I’ve learned about so far is the power of geospatial data analysis. I did not get to explore that side of data science much in my bachelor's, so it has been interesting to see what data looks like in a city and how it can be used to shape public policy. 

Would you recommend EPA? Why?
I would definitely recommend EPA. I am having a great time and even joined the board of the EPA Study Association Dentatus. If you are a technical student who is looking to branch out with a more social perspective then EPA could be just the programme you’re looking for. 
 

Our Alumni

Gerdus van der Laarse

I’m Gerdus van der Laarse from South Africa, and I’m in my first year of EPA!

I chose EPA because of a few reasons:

  • I believe we need more cross- and multidisciplinary people, especially in policy making.
  • I personally wanted to move away from purely technical engineering roles towards more people-focused roles (supported by tech).
  • EPA seemed to be an internationally focused program that cares about actual, real problems facing humanity and I wanted to learn more about how we can address that.

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How do you feel during your study here at EPA?
So far, I am thoroughly enjoying my time at EPA. I love working in an international environment, so it has been great to meet students from all around the world. 

What is the most interesting thing you learnt or found here at EPA?
I am only in my first semester, but the most interesting thing I’ve learned about so far is the power of geospatial data analysis. I did not get to explore that side of data science much in my bachelor's, so it has been interesting to see what data looks like in a city and how it can be used to shape public policy. 

Would you recommend EPA? Why?
I would definitely recommend EPA. I am having a great time and even joined the board of the EPA Study Association Dentatus. If you are a technical student who is looking to branch out with a more social perspective then EPA could be just the programme you’re looking for. 
 

Dorukhan Yeşilli

Hi, I am Dorukhan Yeşilli from Turkey! I did my bachelor's in industrial engineering at Bilkent University in Turkey. While looking towards programs at the crossroads between technical and social studies, I learned about EPA. It provides a solid background to understand the world comprehensively and become a better engineer. That's why I chose EPA. Initially, I didn't know what I was doing, but all courses came together to give me an excellent insight into global challenges. Now, I am a second-year student who is working on a thesis. What I like the most about EPA is its community and, of course, its student association Dentatus, which I am a part of. You will never feel lonely on the fifth floor with the EPA gang! 

Sahiti Sarva 

About three years ago, I decided to apply to the MSc program in Engineering and Policy Analysis at TU Delft. It was difficult then to explain what the course is about to most people I met. 6 months since I graduated, it remains difficult to explain what the course is about without reducing the experiences it exposed me to. But if there is one thing it taught me it is that understanding complexity and communicating it can be very different.  

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I learnt a great deal in a very short period. Some of my learning was skill-based such as simulation and modelling, programming and, data visualization. Some of it was related to societal challenges like urban resilience, water management and, disaster risk management. Working on multiple projects, in academic settings and outside, and applying different skills to different societal problems allowed me to identify my interests and strengths. I now depend on them to find my feet in the world of public policy and international development.  

EPA enabled me to pursue a wide range of interests during the program and, I continue to do so now. Currently, I am working as a Research Consultant at the Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Team in UNDP. Parallelly, I take up gigs in data journalism and data analysis. On many days, I find myself recommending the program to whoever wants to work on societal problems, go through an intense period of personal growth and make some wonderful friends along the way. If you would like to chat about whether the course is for you, please feel free to reach out.  

Jason Wang

I will forever cherish my time at TU Delft, especially in EPA, because of the wonderful peers that have become my friends, the approachability of my professors, and the incredibly unique curriculum in the program. Though many masters programs can claim the first two of these reasons, the latter places EPA in a different league – the program encourages students to flexibly find the tools and mental models that will make systemic change in the world. 

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Cutting-edge research in topics like deep uncertainty, agent-based modelling and complexity science, or policy communication and participatory stakeholder engagement are emerging paradigms within public policy spaces too; the classrooms of EPA speak the languages of global challenges. In my work in climate policy, I am adding value to my team because of my unique exposure to these topics. Of course, living and studying in The Hague was an exceptional experience as well. Though one must still create their own opportunities, being in a policy hub like The Hague makes for an environment ripe for serendipitous encounters. Even while back in Canada, I am still helping to share a little bit of Dutch policy work because of connections I made in The Hague.

Marie Sam Rutten

When I started with EPA in 2018, I thought I would become something as a strategy consultant. However, in September, I started with the traineeship of the Dutch Government with a specialization in (inter)national security and justice, a decision I would have never made without EPA.

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During the EPA program, I learned about the grand challenges in the world and that it is possible to make a significant impact as an individual. The program offers a large variety of development possibilities, such as studying abroad, and there was always room for my own wishes. In my first year, I participated in the Model United Nations conferences at Oxford en Harvard to strengthen my knowledge of international diplomacy. At those conferences and during my work at the government, I saw that having a mixed background with technical, public management, and data knowledge is very valuable in the public sector. I wrote my thesis on how to fight child sexual abuse material online better. My study background made it possible to understand the internet sector and think of not only political but also technical solutions. In my current work field of counter-terrorism and national security, I still use a lot of my study time, and I believe it would be amazing if more people who have studied EPA would work for the government. EPA not only changed my professional life but also had a positive effect on my personal life. Without EPA I would have never traveled to China by train! I wish you all the fun during your study and if you have any questions about working for the Dutch government or anything else don’t hesitate to contact me.

Rico Herzog

After two years of studying EPA, I think it fairly simple: The more perspectives present, the better policy-making can be. In that way, EPA can be a melting pot of one's interests and provides different methods and tools to deal with the ever-increasing complexity of this world. Having such tools to deal with uncertainty and messy problems, we learned to navigate a world that seems to be in the midst of many unprecedented revolutions: climate change, a global pandemic, and digitalization, to name a few. 

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Eventually, the curriculum was exactly what I have been looking for: Solving grand challenges with a combination of state-of-the-art technology and the social aspects inherent to every problem. After my graduation and through the connections I made during the programme, I am continuing researching into how to integrate complexity and uncertainty in to digital urban twins at the CityScienceLab at HafenCity University, Hamburg, Germany.