MIPALCON 2010-2018
MIPALCON 2018
Conference Theme: Resilient and Smart Cities
MIPALCON 2014
Conference Theme: Climate Change – A Global Challenge. Contribution of Infrastructure Planning
MIPALCON 2010
Conference Theme: Infrastructure Planning and Development in Developing
Countries – „The Way Forward‟
María Isabel López
student in the final semester of 2019
Interview
with María Isabel López
María is in the last semester of the master's program of infrastructure planning 2019. Here she talks about her experiences which is interesting for new students.
María, what is your opinion about the program MIP?
After finishing my 3rd semester of Master Infrastructure Planning, I realised that I have learned a lot about planning networks and facilities to enhance economic development of a country. I gathered knowledge on topics for providing basic services such as transport, water and waste management, and power supply. In addition, I learned tools from complementary fields such as urban and regional planning, statistics, economy and geographical information systems.
For me, it has been a great experience because the program combines theory and practice. I attend a lecture and then I have an excursion where I can see how a facility works. Moreover, that is the space to increase knowledge on infrastructure planning. I have had the opportunity to get in touch with professors and experts who have experience in both Germany and developing countries. Besides that, there are activities to promote exchange experiences with classmates that open my mind to new ideas.
And how do you feel to face challenges in your professional life?
Although I don’t know what will happen in the future, I consider I have grown in terms of personal and professional life. I feel more secure when I want to give an opinion about a topic related to infrastructure because I have learned theory and discussed it with many people from different backgrounds. In addition, I have done valuable reflections about my country after comparing its reality with other countries. It would be useful if I have to participate in an important decision in my country.
I have talked with some alumni and they highlight having strong arguments as a consequence of the multidisciplinary approach of the program and getting in touch with other cultures. It allowed them to have good jobs in government, industry and universities (e.g. doctoral positions) in their home country and in other countries too.