ITN-BUET reinforced its leadership in the global water and sanitation sector through its high-profile participation in the IWA Water Safety Conference & Exhibition 2026, held from March 23–25 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The delegation presented two pivotal technical papers addressing the spectrum of water and sanitation needs. Research Officer Mr. Md. Azizur Rahman presented his study, “Household Treatment System for Safe Water in Coastal Bangladesh,” under the theme of Water Safety in Rural and Community-Based Water Supply Systems. His work highlighted practical, localized solutions for climate-vulnerable communities facing extreme water scarcity and salinity. Mr. Alauddin Ahmed, Project Manager of the Gates Foundation-funded project, presented “Evaluating the Effect of CWIS Adaptation on National Regulatory Guidelines for Sanitation: Insights from Six Cities.” Speaking under the theme of Outcome-Based Innovations in Water Supply and Sanitation Systems, he demonstrated how urban sanitation models can be integrated into national regulatory frameworks for sustainable impact.
The delegation’s involvement extended beyond presentations. Mr. Alauddin Ahmed joined a panel of experts to discuss the scalability of sanitation models and the regulatory shifts required for sustainable urban hygiene.
Prof. Dr. Rowshan Mamtaz, Director of ITN-BUET, spearheaded the delegation’s strategic engagements, meeting with global WASH leaders to discuss regional challenges and collaborative research opportunities.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS) RH SSEA and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) of Sri Lanka was signed to strengthen regional collaboration in professional training and sanitation research, further solidifying ITN-BUET’s role as a vital Capacity Building Hub in the region.
