DPHE and ITN-BUET regularized capacity building process of DPHE officials: 1st round covered training on Fecal Sludge and Biosolids Analysis

ITN-BUET has been conducting training for sector actors including DPHE officials since 1997. The journey has recently been fortified with Training Division of DPHE to regularly train DPHE officials as an integral part of training calendar. The five-day advanced laboratory training on Analysis of Fecal Sludge and Biosolids for DPHE laboratory personnel in September 2025 was the first event of this initiative.

The laboratory training was held at the Fecal Sludge Reference Laboratory, established with the financial support of the Gates Foundation at the Department of Civil Engineering, BUET. A total of 20 DPHE professionals including senior chemists, chemists, junior chemists, and sample analyzers, and assistant engineers of laboratory circle have successfully completed the five days training from 21 to 25 September 2025 and received the training completion certificates.

Prof. Dr. Rowshan Mamtaz, Director of ITN-BUET, chaired the event. Mr. Eheteshamul Russel Khan, Addl. Chief Engineer (Planning), DPHE graced the inaugural ceremony as chief Guests. Ms. Snigdha Afsana, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, BUET administered the training as the Course Director, and eminent BUET faculty members delivered lectures in the training sessions. In addition to the theoretical lectures, the five-days training was blended with hands-on practices in the laboratory supported by experienced laboratory professionals of BUET.

The training sessions highlighted the rationale of testing fecal sludge and biosolids under broader sanitation spectrum to secure SDG 6.2 for Bangladesh, sampling of fecal sludge and testing of important parameters of fecal sludge and biosolids such as Total Solids, Total Suspended Solids, BOD₅, COD, nutrients and calorific value, heavy metals and pathogenic parameters such as fecal coliform and helminth eggs. Necessary protocols for using laboratory and testing parameters and required calibration for the equipment were also discussed under the training.

At the closing ceremony, Ms. Ruksana Parvin, Executive Engineer, Training Division, DPHE acknowledged the necessity of capacity building training for DPHE laboratory personnel as they will be responsible for quality monitoring of fecal sludge treatment plants installed by DPHE very soon and testing fecal sludge and biosolids are new to them. Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET and former Director of ITN-BUET, acknowledged the Gates Foundation support to establish the laboratory at BUET. Mr. Alauddin Ahmed Project Manager at ITN-BUET, expected future trainer from the participants.