Vision

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.

Mission

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 the knowledge base through networking. It has successfully actuated the bridging role between ‘academic & research institution’ and ‘management & implementing organizations. 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

Capacity building within the WSS sector is the main focus of ITN-BUET. Human Resources Development (HRD) to support Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) sector activities in the country is an important element in the arena of development from a national perspective. Human resources development focuses mainly on the process of developing and strengthening individuals with the necessary competencies, skills and knowledge that will enable them to perform their duties effectively. Primarily through an approach of skill transfer from all dimensions, with social, technical, financial, institutional front, etc., the International Training Network (ITN) Centre started its journey to attain the envisaged goal of capacity building in the WSS sector.

Conceptually, ITN 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 skills in the sector relating to socio-economic context of the country, undertakes research and brings out publication to fill up knowledge gaps. The services that ITN provides to support the development of the WSS sector are unique in the sense that no other stakeholders are rendering services of this kind and level. Direct physical and financial interventions of ITN though very small, but its multiplier effect and impact are very significant. The outputs of ITN centre make other stakeholders initiatives meaningful, effective, productive and sustainable. The government and NGOs, External Support Organizations, private sector, academic institutions often request for ITN’s services.

The ITN Centre has a special niche for capacity building in the WatSan sector. While the centre limits itself to training of key personnel of sector stakeholders through appropriate specialized courses, the benefit of the training activities will, in general, accrue to workers involved in community development and hygiene/ health promotion, NGO staff and women. The centre is motivated to identify the gaps in the sector and develop training packages including courses, modules and materials according to the sector need.

ITN Centre and it’s Bridging Role

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 to gradually overcome their respective deficiencies but also contributes to the sustainable development of the sector. By now, the ITN Center has emerged as a capacity-building tool in the WSS sector that emphasizes the aforesaid bridging role as the prime strategic approach.

Main Strategy of Networking

In the 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 the 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 Cooperation 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 the future.
Networks with national and international NGOs are also increasing at a regular pace. ITN maintains links with NGOs like NGO Forum, WaterAid, 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, 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. These kind of links will be maintained, and a close working relationship shall be established with some of these organizations in the 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 workshops 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

Valued Clients and Recipients

• 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/INGO
• External Support Agencies
• Private Sector Organizations
• Professional Bodies etc.