In the upcoming event at the Asian Institute of Technology, the academic community is set for an enriching session with the globally recognized Prof. Jack Sim, also known as “Mr. Toilet”. Dive deep as he unravels insights on “The Leverage Model for Sanitation Advocacy”. This significant talk, presented by Global Water & Sanitation Center, will be complemented by a moderated discussion led by Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Co-Director of GWSC.  

Event Highlights: 

Date: 21 September 2023 

Venue: Milton Bender Auditorium 

 Agenda: 

13:00 – 13:30: Registration 

13:30 – 13:35: Welcome and Introduction to Prof. Jack Sim 

13:35 – 14:15: Prof. Sim’s Presentation: “The Leverage Model for Sanitation Advocacy” 

14:15 – 14:45: Moderated Discussion by Prof. Thammarat Koottatep 

14:45 – 15:15: Coffee Break 

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About Prof. Jack Sim 

Jack Sim, Founder and Director of the World Toilet Organization and Novus Prize recipient, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, 2016. Source: UN Chronicle, United Nations. Photo courtesy of the World Toilet Organization

Jack Sim, also known by his Chinese names 锐华 (simplified) and  (traditional), and pinyin Shěn Ruìhuá, was born in 1957. He is best known for founding the Restroom Association of Singapore, World Toilet Organization, World Toilet Day initiative, and the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) Hub. Originally from the construction sector, Jack pivoted towards dedicated social work after achieving financial freedom at 40. 

In 2001, his contributions to raising awareness and gathering national expertise earned him the Schwab Foundation’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year award. By 2007, Jack had been recognized as a Fellow of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public. Furthermore, he played an instrumental role in establishing the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, which includes major stakeholders in the sanitation field. 

Time magazine honored Jack Sim as one of the Heroes of the Environment in 2008. In addition to his aforementioned ventures, he initiated the BOP HUB and various social enterprises and startups. Presently, he is working on a 65,000 sq ft World Trade Center for the Poor in Singapore. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize the marketplace for the world’s 4 billion impoverished individuals, with the ultimate goal of eradicating global poverty. 

Prof. Jack Sim is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including: 

  • Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the year in 2006 
  • Ashoka Global fellow in 2007 
  • Asian Development Bank Water Champion in 2007 
  • TIME Magazine Hero of the Environment in 2008 
  • Reader’s Digest Asian of the Year in 2011 
  • Synergos Senior Fellow in 2013 

When it comes to speaking engagements, Prof. Jack Sim focuses on topics such as: 

  • Breaking cultural taboos: addressing the global sanitation crisis 
  • How to build a movement 
  • Unlocking business opportunities at the base of the pyramid 
  • Entrepreneurship / Social Enterprise 
  • Leverage model: how to build a global brand at zero cost 
  • Thinking in a new way 
  • The Creativity of Re-Inventing the Everyday