The Global Sanitation Graduate School Regional Hub South and Southeast Asia (GSGS RH SSEA) hosted at the Global Water & Sanitation Center at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), successfully organized a 2-day Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) Training of Trainers (ToT) program for Faculty and Instructors on 25–26 June 2026 at the AIT campus in Thailand. The workshop brought together faculty members and educators from partner institutions across the region to strengthen their knowledge of CWIS while enhancing their capacity to deliver the updated GSGS curriculum through practical, interdisciplinary, and practice-oriented teaching approaches.
Participants represented several leading academic institutions, including the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Bangladesh, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Pakistan, Kathmandu University (KU) and Pokhara University (PU) in Nepal and AIT. Over two days, the workshop combined expert lectures, laboratory visits, case studies, and collaborative group exercises to provide participants with both technical knowledge and innovative teaching methodologies.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Tanvir Ahmed, Regional Director of GSGS RH SSEA, emphasized the critical role of higher education institutions in developing the next generation of sanitation professionals capable of addressing increasingly complex urban sanitation challenges. He highlighted that strengthening faculty capacity is fundamental to ensuring high-quality, practice-oriented sanitation education across South and Southeast Asia.
Day One: Building Foundations in CWIS, Sanitation Technologies, and Inclusive Practice
The first day focused on establishing a strong technical foundation in Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) and its role in achieving safely managed sanitation services. Prof. Tanvir Ahmed (BUET) opened the technical sessions with an overview of CWIS principles, institutional responsibilities, and the importance of integrated urban sanitation planning. His presentation highlighted the need for coordinated action among governments, service providers, and communities to deliver equitable sanitation services for all.
The session was complemented by a technical visit to AIT’s Natural and Advanced Treatment Systems (NATS) Laboratory, organized in collaboration with AIT’s Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC), where participants observed advanced testing and ongoing research activities.
Building on these fundamentals, Dr. Md. Shofiqul Islam (KUET) introduced laboratory methods for sanitation flow analysis and resource recovery, demonstrating how scientific assessment can support evidence-based sanitation planning and circular economy approaches. Participants then explored emerging sanitation technologies during a session led by Prof. Thammarat Koottatep (AIT), who presented innovative treatment systems and their application in diverse urban contexts.
The afternoon sessions broadened the discussion by examining sustainability and social inclusion within sanitation systems. Dr. Mohammad Ismail Hossain (KUET) presented climate-resilient sanitation approaches designed to improve system performance under changing environmental conditions, while Dr. Anish Ghimire (AIT) shared a Nepal case study illustrating greenhouse gas emissions from sanitation systems and the importance of integrating climate considerations into sanitation planning. Dr. Anjum Tasnuva (KUET) concluded the technical sessions with an engaging presentation on gender, social inclusion, and equitable sanitation service delivery, emphasizing the importance of designing sanitation systems that respond to the needs of diverse communities.
The day concluded with an interactive group exercise. Working collaboratively in 5 groups, participants developed classroom assignments based on the day’s technical themes, designing learning objectives, assessment methods, and student deliverables that promote interdisciplinary problem-solving and the practical application of CWIS concepts. The exercise also provided an opportunity for faculty members to exchange teaching experiences and discuss how the GSGS curriculum could be effectively adapted to their respective institutional contexts.
Day Two: Governance, Financing, and Implementation for CWIS
The second day shifted focus from technical concepts to the institutional, financial, and governance dimensions of Citywide Inclusive Sanitation. The day began with presentations from the 5 groups on the classroom assignments they had developed during the previous day’s activity. The presentations provided an opportunity for faculty members to exchange teaching experiences, share feedback, and discuss how the GSGS curriculum could be effectively adapted to their respective institutional contexts. Prof. Tanvir Ahmed led a session on sanitation governance, exploring policy frameworks, institutional coordination, and the enabling environment required to deliver effective citywide sanitation services. Ms. Isha Basyal (GWSC) followed with a presentation on translating CWIS planning into implementation, highlighting practical approaches to project development, monitoring, and long-term service delivery. Dr. Md. Imran Kabir (SUST) then examined sanitation financing mechanisms, discussing investment strategies and financial models that support sustainable sanitation systems.
Mr. Subrata Paul subsequently delivered a session on Behavior Change Communication (BCC) and strategic advocacy, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement, effective communication strategies, and public awareness in achieving lasting sanitation improvements.
In the afternoon, Dr. Sanjiv Neupane (GWSC) presented a practical case study demonstrating the application of Information Management and Information Systems (IMIS) in CWIS planning and sanitation governance. Drawing on real-world examples, the session illustrated how digital information systems can strengthen decision-making, service monitoring, and urban sanitation management.
The workshop concluded with a second collaborative group exercise in which participants designed teaching assignments covering governance, financing, advocacy, monitoring, and implementation. The activity encouraged active discussion among faculty members from different institutions, enabling them to exchange perspectives, compare national experiences, and identify opportunities for collaborative teaching and future academic partnerships.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration in Sanitation Education
Throughout the workshop, participants shared experiences from their respective countries, enriching discussions with diverse regional perspectives and practical lessons from ongoing sanitation initiatives. The interactive format encouraged peer learning while fostering stronger collaboration among partner universities engaged in sanitation education and research.
During the closing session, participants reflected positively on the workshop’s balance of technical content, practical applications, and collaborative learning. Faculty members particularly appreciated the opportunity to develop teaching materials that can be readily integrated into their own courses, while also strengthening professional networks across South and Southeast Asia. The event concluded with participant feedback, closing remarks, and the presentation of certificates of participation.
By equipping educators with updated technical knowledge, practical teaching resources, and stronger regional partnerships, the workshop represents another important milestone in the shared commitment of GSGS RH SSEA and AIT to advancing sanitation education. Through continued collaboration, the Regional Hub aims to support universities in preparing the next generation of professionals capable of designing, implementing, and managing inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable sanitation systems across South and Southeast Asia.