WATER AI – Certificate Program
The interdisciplinary WATER AI Certificate Program combines content from computer science, spatial planning, architecture, and civil engineering with a mentoring program offered by the Wilo Group. The program focuses on applications of artificial intelligence and data-driven methods in the context of water, infrastructure, and sustainable urban and spatial development.
The certificate program comprises a minimum of 20 credit points (CP) and is designed to be completed over two semesters.
Registration
Registration for the current cohort is closed. You can get an impression of the kick-off for the first WATER AI cohort in this news article on the program launch.
Why WATER AI
Global challenges such as climate change, urbanisation, water scarcity, extreme rainfall, and flood risk require new interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. At the same time, digital technologies – particularly smart city concepts, artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and AI governance – are fundamentally transforming the planning, management, and operation of urban spaces and infrastructure.
The WATER AI Certificate Program aims to provide participants with an integrated understanding of water, infrastructure, and urban development systems in the context of digital and climate change. The programme equips participants to analyse, model, and adaptively manage complex interactions between natural resources, technical infrastructure, and urban transformation processes. It introduces AI-based methods such as machine learning, predictive modelling, and optimisation algorithms, alongside data-driven simulation approaches and digital twins.
The WATER AI certificate program was developed as part of the collaboration between TU Dortmund University and the Wilo Group within the Global WATER AI Academy. The Academy brings together science and industry at the intersection of water and AI and is building an international network of universities, research institutions, companies, and other partners. WATER AI is one of the first educational initiatives to emerge from this collaboration.
Programme Details
- Credits: To receive a certificate of successful completion, participants must earn at least 20 credit points (CP). This must include at least one module from each of the three participating faculties, as well as completion of the Wilo Mentoring Programme.
- Duration: 2 semesters
- Start: Winter Semester
- Language of instruction: German or English, depending on the modules selected
- Qualification: Award of a Micro-Degree from TU Dortmund University
- Places available: 20
- Admission: Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the order in which applications are received.
The certificate program can be started each winter semester. Registration usually takes place in the weeks leading up to the start of the winter semester.
Eligibility Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the programme.
- Participants must be enrolled as students at TU Dortmund University.
- Application deadline: 21 October 2026
Programme Structure
Core Modules: Students must complete at least four components from the core programme. This includes participation in the Wilo Group Mentoring Programme, as well as at least one module from the programme offered by each of the three participating faculties.
Elective Modules: Elective modules complement the core programme and allow students to further specialise in their chosen area. They can also be used to reach the required minimum number of credit points (CP) if students do not take more than one core module from each faculty.
Module Overview
Use the following link for a list of modules of the WATER AI – Certificate Program: