ITN-BUET, the Capacity Building Hub on CWIS, intends to integrate local experiences and tools into training curriculum and extend capacity-building activities on CWIS/FSM in partnership with different actors. It aims to conduct action research for addressing the capacity-building needs in the sector and foster evidence-based decisions. ITN-BUET has developed partnerships with academic institutions for this purpose. The functional areas of the partnership include capacity-building, action research, academic curricula development, learning visits and graduate or young professional orientation.
On June 8, 2022, a workshop with the academic partners was held in the ITN Seminar room to further concretize the partnership. Focal persons from Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology (CUET), Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET) and Asian University for Women (AUW) discussed their experiences on WASH capacity-building activities, present strength and further requirements to collaborate.
While sharing the objectives of the workshop, Professor Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, Director of ITN-BUET, mentioned the role of the academic partners in scaling the CWIS approach around the country. He emphasized that the partnership should work together to strengthen the CB initiatives and foster evidence-based decision-making through extensive research activities. From ITN-BUET, Mr. Alauddin Ahmed, Project Manager, Mr. Mohammad Imtiaz Sharif, Training Specialist, Ms. Makfie Farah, Knowledge Management Specialist, Mr. Md. Azizur Rahman, Assistant Director, and Ms. Fariha Rahman, Project Officer, facilitated the sessions.
Participants mentioned training programs for specific audiences, integration of CWIS/FSM topics in graduate programs, capacity development initiatives for senior graduating and graduate students, curricula development, research projects and technical support to different projects associated to WASH as their ongoing CWIS/FSM activities. Student orientation on CWIS, training event on FSM for LGIs and action research on sanitation were prioritized as immediate actions by the faculty members. The participants expected that the partnerships among different institutions would help to reduce the gap in the capacity of the sector stakeholders and contribute to the target of CB-Hub.
