Considering the need of capacity building in achieving SDG 6, ITN-BUET in collaboration with DPHE and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) organized a five-day Training on “Fecal Sludge Management: An element of City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation”. The training aimed to enhance the level of knowledge of the participants by engaging them to solve real life problems guided by theories and past experiences. The training was held at SUST and ITN-BUET including a field visit at Lakshmipur fecal sludge treatment plant.

Dr. Abul Mukid Mohammad Mukaddes, Dean, Applied Sciences & Technology, SUST was the Chief Guest at the Inaugural session. He expressed his appreciation and thanked ITN-BUET for such an initiative. Dr. Mukaddes was delighted that participants from distant areas came to attend the training in Sylhet. Dr. Muhammad Azizul Hoque, Head of the Department, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineer, SUST ensured his support for ITN-BUET in organizing the training. He also expressed his interest in renewing collaboration of ITN-SUST and ITN-BUET. Mr. Roman Kabir, Executive Engineer, DPHE informed the participants that this training will benefit them in preparing for the DPHE project. He also assured all kinds of support from DPHE Dhaka office in implementing FSM at Paurashava level. Mr. Alauddin Ahmed, Project Manager, ITN-BUET was the chair of the inaugural session.

Participants learned about their specific roles, stakeholder analysis, technological options, necessary financial, hardware and software requirements, gender and social inclusion in sanitation, social awareness and challenges for implementing FSM in their respective towns. The sessions were facilitated Dr. Md. Imran Kabir and Dr. Muhammad Azizul Hoque from SUST, Mr. Roman Kabir from DPHE and Mr. Mohammad Imtiaz Sharif, Mr. Alauddin Ahmed and Ms. Saleema Najenin Siddiqua from ITN-BUET.

Representatives from six paurashavas under 23-Towns Project and 32-Towns Project of DPHE participated in the course. The paurashavas were: Nakla, Nabinagar, Shaistaganj, Ajmiriganj, Jagannathpur and Muksudpur Paurashava. There were total 24 participants consisted of management and administrative officials, engineers and health, accounting and conservancy division and associated engineers from DPHE. The training was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) under the national capacity building project.

At the closing ceremony. Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam Miah, Project Director, 32-Towns Project encouraged the participants to utilize their learnings from the training by implementing it in their Paurashava. Md. Hafijur Rahman, Mayor of Nakla Paurashava stated his commitment in implementing FSM in his Paurashava. He mentioned that the land for the FSTP has already been managed. The training ended with the commitments of the participants to apply their knowledge to implement proper FSM.