The vision of ITN-BUET is to achieve a strong, capable human resource base for sustainable development of water supply and environmental sanitation. Knowledge development through applied research and professional development programmes constitutes the foundation for human capacity building. ITN-BUET has access to the regional and global resources base for effective transfer and dissemination of information.

The primary goal is to achieve an improved human resource base that promotes sustainable development of water supply and sanitation. It strives for expansion of knowledge base through networking. It has successfully actuated the bridging role between 'academic & research institution' and 'management & implementing organizations' and it strives to create opportunities for the academicians and implementers to come up in a common forum and work hand in hand for the WSS sector.

The objectives of ITN Centre are:

• Promotion of human resource development for wider application of appropriate technology for WSS;
• Capacity building of sector agencies and institutions for professional development, dissemination of information and transfer of knowledge;
• Reorientation of curricula and syllabi of technical education for WSS sector;
• Update the skills of staff and decision makers within the WSS sector;
• Establishment of applied research and demonstration projects related to low cost WSS for capacity development;
• Participation of women in all levels of development.

Capacity building within WSS sector is the main focus of ITN-BUET. Human resources development (HRD) to support WSS sector activities in the country is an important element in this arena from national perspective. Primarily through an approach of skill transfer from all dimensions, be it with social, technical, institutional front, etc. development of this national element, i.e., 'capacity building' is being perused by ITN Center. Conceptually ITN-BUET renders its services on a multiplier effect. It takes care of curricula and syllabi; produces master trainers; develops teaching and training materials; develops R&D skill in the sector relating to socio-economic context of the country. It has successfully actuated the bridging role between 'academic & research institution' and 'management & implementing organizations' and it strives to create opportunities for the academicians and implementers to come up in a common forum and work hand in hand for the WSS sector.

ITN Center has successfully actuated the bridging role between 'academic & research institution' and 'management & implementing organizations' and it strives to create opportunities for the academicians and implementers to come up in a common forum and work hand in hand for the WSS sector. This approach not only helps gradually overcoming their respective deficiencies but also contributes to the sustainable development of the sector. By now the ITN Center has emerged as capacity building tool in the WSS sector that emphasizes the aforesaid bridging role as the prime strategic approach.

In management and implementation arena, ITN Centre has extended its networks and linkages with almost all government and semi government agencies involved in the WSS sector. Some of the agencies are the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (DWASA), Chittagong WASA (CWASA), Department of Environment (DOE), Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC). ITN has established a close linkage with the Government of Bangladesh particularly with the Local Govt. Division (LGD) with respect to sector advisory services. This linkage is expected to be strengthened further. Similarly, linkages with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Forest are also being increased.

Linkages with External Support Agencies (ESA) active in WSS sector activities in the country are also worth mentioning. By now ITN has established close links with Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), DFID, SDC, WHO, UNICEF and UNDP. It is expected that close working relations will be maintained with these organizations and some more will be included. The linkages will be strengthened further in future.

Networks with national and international NGOs are also increasing at a regular pace. ITN maintains links with NGOs like NGO Forum, Water Aid, Plan Bangladesh, PRISM Bangladesh, HEED Bangladesh, CARE Bangladesh, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Village Education Resource Centre (VERC), Dusthya Shasthya Kendra (DSK), Dhaka Community Hospital (DCH) etc.

Globally, ITN maintains its linkage with a number of well reputed institutions, as for example, International Resource Centre (IRC) of the Netherlands, WEDC of UK, WSP of World Bank, Global Water Partnership (GWP), ITN Foundation-Philippines, WSSCC, NETWAS, IWSD, TREND etc. This kind of links will be maintained and close working relationship shall be established with some of these organizations in future.

ITN provides the following strategic inputs to bring in changes in WSS and ensure its sustainability:

• Re-orientation of environmental engineering curricula and syllabi to address the need of the WSS sector;
• Publication of textbook to support reoriented curricula;
• Publication of relevant document to fill up knowledge gaps;
• Training courses on special topics of needs and for developing trainers to support HRD in the WSS sector;
• National and international workshop and seminars to promote knowledge sharing and dissemination;
• Scientific and applied research to support WSS sector;
• Expansion and maintaining an active network among resource centres throughout the globe.

The areas of specialization by the Centre are listed below:

• Human Resources Development for WSS Sector
• Appropriate Technical Education for Sustainable Development of WSS
• Scientific and Applied Research in WSS on Current Issues
• Organizing national and international workshop and seminars on subject of importance
• Information Dissemination

• Faculty and students of BUET, SUST, Engineering Universities and Polytechnic Institutes,
• Decision makers, planners and managers in WSS sector,
• Officials, Engineers and field workers of Government agencies,
• Professionals & field workers of Water Authorities,
• Pourashavas & City Corporations,
• Health and community development practitioners from public and private sector,
• NGO staff,
• Women,
• External Support Agencies,
• Private Sector Organizations,
• Professional Bodies etc.

The ITN Centre is an independent unit operating under the Vice Chancellor of BUET. The Centre has a governing Body (GB) and an Executive Committee (EC). These two have different functions and their roles and responsibilities are delineated. The GB provides policy direction and oversees the overall performance of ITN Centre while the EC provides support to address operational issues. The Governing body of ITN has been formed with members from various WSS stakeholders apart from BUET itself.

1. Director
2. Manager
3. Research Officer (Trn./WShop)
4. Research Officer (Tech./Research)
5. Information and Documentation Officer
6. Research Officer
7. Administrative and Accounts Officer
8. Office Secretary
9. Driver
10. Office Attendant

ITN-BUET
ARI-ITN Building (4th & 5th floor)
BUET, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Phone: +88 02 9663693 (direct); 9665650-80, Ext. 7104
Fax: +88 02 9663695
E-mail: diritn@itn.buet.ac.bd
            itnoffice@itn.buet.ac.bd
Website: http://itn.buet.ac.bd