AIT Global Water & Sanitation Center

Join the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering (WREE) at the Asian Institute of Technology, GWSC & ICIMOD-HUC in celebrating WORLD WATER DAY 2025 in our high-level dialogue on "Glacier Preservation: Advancing Science, Inclusive Policies, and Partnerships for Sustainable Water Management". This significant event brings together preeminent experts from academic institutions, international organizations, and government agencies to address critical water security challenges in the context of climate change.

📅 March 21, 2025
⏰ 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (ICT)
📍 Milton E. Bender Jr. Auditorium, AIT
🖥️ Zoom ID: https://shorturl.at/o70om

Enter our Reels/Video Competition on glacier preservation themes! Win cash prizes of THB 5000, 3000, or 2000. Open to the AIT Community and Alumni, the competition details will be revealed at the event.

This dialogue addresses glacier preservation, climate adaptation, and equitable policies to protect vulnerable populations and water security. SAVE OUR GLACIERS – VITAL TO THE WATER CYCLE

Featuring:
Dr. Archana Shrestha, Deputy Director General, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Government of Nepal
Dr. Bapon Shm Fakhruddin, PhD, Water Resources Management Sr. Specialist, Division of Mitigation & Adaptation, Green Climate Fund
Dr. Dibesh Khadka (WREE, AIT)
Dr. John Pomeroy (USask Centre for Hydrology)
Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub, Assistant Professor, WREE, AIT
Dr. Truong Huyen Chi (ICIMOD-HUC)
Dr. Wenchao Xue, Associate Professor, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering (WREE); Director, Belt Road and Research Center, AIT
Mr. Deepak K.C., (Program Development Specialist, United Nations Development Programme (United Nations Development Programme - UNDP)
Prof. Pai-Chi Li (AIT President)
Prof. Puyu Wang, Associate Professor, Northwest Institute Eco-Environment & Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Prof. Sangam Shrestha (Dean, SET & Co-Director, GWSC)
Prof. Thammarat Koottatep(Co-Director, GWSC)

🏔️ WORLD WATER DAY 2025 🏔️

The Asian Institute of Technology, GWSC and ICIMOD HUC invite you to a high-level multi-sectoral dialogue on "Glacier Preservation: Advancing Monitoring, Inclusive Policies, and Cooperation for Sustainable Water Management"in celebration of World Water Day 2025 and the UN International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.

Date: March 21, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Format: Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)
Venue: MILTON E. BENDER JR. AUDITORIUM, AIT

📣 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣
Submit your entry to our Reels Video Competition! Winners will be awarded with prizes during the event. Show your creativity while raising awareness about glacier preservation! Open to the AIT Community and Alumni.

Follow and keep a close eye on our page for upcoming registration details for the event and the competition.

SAVE OUR GLACIERS– GLACIERS ARE VITAL TO THE WATER CYCLE

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in our International Women's Day celebration hosted by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)'s CIFAL Bangkok, GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology, AIT Student Union, and AIT Gender and Development Studies.

The event, themed 'Accelerating GEDSI Action Beyond Asia through SDG17: Partnerships for Goals,' was a resounding success with insightful contributions from our distinguished speakers:
Dr. Truong Huyen Chi (Shachi) from ICIMOD HUC
Dr. Hom Gartaula, PhD from IRRI
Dr. Nada Ahmed from Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network
Ms. Tingting Chen from United Nations ESCAP
Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Director of UNITAR's CIFAL Bangkok

Our very own Dr. Vineeta Thapa, Ph.D., GEDSI Lead, moderated the session, facilitating meaningful discussions that highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing gender equality and social inclusion across Asia and beyond.

As we celebrate International Women's Day, we are reminded of the critical importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in achieving sustainable development worldwide. The collaborative spirit demonstrated during this event exemplifies the power of partnerships in achieving our shared goals for a more equitable world.

Thank you partners for coming together to host this event and continued support of our initiatives toward gender equality and sustainable development.

On January 30, An event organized by the Mangkunegaran Palace and GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology, brought together key stakeholders including the Pijar Foundation, the Tahir Foundation, Surakarta city government, and its Water Utility to address pressing environmental and social challenges.

Mangkoenagoro X of the Mangkunegaran Palace emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with Javanese heritage to create a sustainable future for the city.

The Mayor's representative expressed appreciation for the stakeholders' collaboration in the smart sanitation project, underlining the importance of collective efforts between government, businesses, and the community in building an economically vibrant, environmentally healthy, and socially just city.

During the event, Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Co-Director of GWSC presented the concept of Climate Wise Inclusive Sanitation to Surakarta government representatives, highlighting innovative approaches to urban sanitation challenges.

Read more about how the Mangkunegaran Palace is supporting Surakarta's evolution into a sustainable and smart city: https://www.gwsc.ait.ac.th/surakartas-sustainable-future-weaving-tradition-with-innovation/

Join us for the International Women’s Day celebration hosted by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)’s CIFAL Bangkok, GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology, AIT Student Union, and AIT Gender and Development Studies, under the theme ‘Accelerating GEDSI Action Beyond Asia through SDG17: Partnerships for Goals.’

Let's hear from:
Dr. Chi Huyen Truong (ICIMOD HUC)
Dr. Hom Gartaula (IRRI)
Dr. Nada Ahmed (EMPHNET)
Ms. Tingting Chen (UNESCAP)

Event Details:
March 7, 5:00 to 6:00 PM UTC/GMT+7
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://ait-ac-th.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ku5Ov72TTGa5W5cCFze7NA

On 28 February 2025, key officials from the Government of Nepal visited GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology to discuss critical issues surrounding water supply and its broader social impacts. The delegation. led by Prof. Dr. Shiva Adhikari, Vice-Chairman, National Planning Commission (NPC), along with Mr. Komraj Raj Koirala, Joint-Secretary, NPC, and Ms. Anita Paudel, Program Director, NPC were recieved by Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Co-Director of GWSC and Dr. Vineeta Thapa, Ph.D. GEDSI Lead where critical gap between high water access and the much lower achievement in providing clean, safe drinking water was discussed.

During the visit, Vice-Chair Prof. Adhikari underscored the importance of not only expanding access to water but also improving the quality and social outcomes linked to water supply. He noted that while Nepal has achieved an impressive 98% access rate to water, the nation has reached only 27% of its target for providing clean and safe drinking water. “The disparity between access and quality is alarming,” he stated, pointing out that inadequate water quality in schools and hospitals poses significant health risks. The discussions also touched on capacity building, with discussions to enhance training programs and collaboration among planning agencies.

This engagement offered valuable insights into the challenges of aligning water access with quality outcomes, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and coordinated efforts in addressing water safety in vital community settings.

On Jan. 31, 2025, GWSC at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) attended the discussion titled “Mainstreaming Sanitation Development: The Role of Private Stakeholders in Yogyakarta,” held at Senior High School 1 Teladan . The event was organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the DIY government, the Pijar Foundation, the Tahir Foundation, the Gates Foundation, the Asian Institute of Technology – Global Water & Sanitation Center (AIT-GWSC) Thailand, and the school. Participants included representatives from those organizations, academics from Gadjah Mada University, the newly elected deputy mayor of Yogyakarta and students.

GKR Mangkubumi, Chairwoman of the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that "Good sanitation is essential for regional development, affecting public health, productivity, economic growth and competitiveness." She noted that cities with effective sanitation attract investment, boost tourism and improve residents' quality of life. Sustainable sanitation development, she added, requires collaboration among government, the private sector, academia and international partners.

Our co-Director, Professor Thammarat Koottatep, highlighted urbanization and economic growth as key factors influencing urban sanitation challenges, emphasizing that quality sanitation promotes healthier and more sustainable cities.

The discussion emphasized that providing good sanitation is a shared responsibility, requiring active participation from businesses, universities, communities and the media.

Read the full article on GWSC's website: https://www.gwsc.ait.ac.th/the-penta-helix-approach-yogyakartas-sanitation-partnership-for-sustainable-sanitation/

🌟 Join Our Team at the Global Water & Sanitation Center!🌟

We're seeking a Research Associate to strengthen our capacity development initiatives in Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) across South and Southeast Asia.

As a Research Associate – Capacity Development (Citywide Inclusive Sanitation), you will be leading the oversight and strengthening of programs aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of urban sanitation professionals. Working closely with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and regional partners, you'll help shape the future of sustainable urban sanitation.

📌 Key Responsibilities:
Design and implementation of structured training programs
Stakeholder coordination with IFIs and regional partners
Development of knowledge products and training materials
Monitoring and evaluation of capacity building initiatives

🧾 Ideal Candidate:
Master's degree in environmental engineering, public policy, development studies, or related field
3-4 years of experience in capacity building, preferably in WASH sector
Strong understanding of urban sanitation systems and CWIS principles
Excellence in stakeholder engagement

Location: Global Water & Sanitation Center, Asian Institute of Technology
Duration: 12 months (extendable)
Application deadline: March 10, 2025
For detailed information and application process, visit: https://www.hro.ait.ac.th/job/show/945

Join us in advancing sustainable and inclusive sanitation solutions across Asia and beyond!

We at GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology are incredibly pleased to announce the publication of “Engineering Field Testing of Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems: A Compendium of Lessons Learned” by IWA Publishing and co-authored by a team of international experts featuring our co-director, Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, alongside Sonia Grego, Ruth Cottingham, Atitaya Panuvatvanich, Susan Mercer and Sarah Hennessy.

Filled with candid insights from nearly a decade of global field testing, this book compiles lessons learned over the course of extensive fieldtesting campaigns across three continents and 30+ prototypes. This book captures the insights and experience of teams in India, South Africa, and Thailand who have managed the complexities of field testing non-sewered sanitation systems in local communities outside of the laboratory—a critical step on the path to adoption of new sanitation technologies.

Intended as a practical resource for practitioners, technology developers, researchers and WASH professionals, this book provides guidance on all aspects of field testing from site selection to decommissioning.

Thank you to program manager Carl Hensman of the Gates Foundation for making the book possible. The center is also immensely grateful to the communities, engineers, and the many individuals who have contributed to these lessons through their involvement in the development of safe sanitation for all.

Read the eBook here: https://iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/968/Engineering-Field-Testing-of-Non-Sewered

GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology is honored to have co-led a landmark collaboration event with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Gates Foundation, and Dasra at ADB Headquarters in Manila on February 11-12, 2025!

The rich exchanges during “Fostering Collaborative Pathways in Asia” and “Strengthening Partnerships for Developing Impactful Water and Sanitation Projects” reinforced our commitment to bridging knowledge gaps through targeted capacity building and technical assistance. Our expertise, along with our regional partners, plays a critical role in aligning solutions with ADB’s country-specific needs, ensuring they are both innovative and locally relevant. Our center also proposed to serve as a regional coordinator to strengthen impact across Asia.

We were privileged to have insights from leaders in the WASH sector, including:
🔹Mr. Norio Saito (ADB)
🔹Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha (Gates Foundation)
🔹Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh (ADB)
🔹Prof. Sangam Shrestha and Prof. Thammarat Koottatep (GWSC Co-Directors)
🔹Ms. Parnasha Banerjee (Director, Dasra)
🔹Ms. Isha Basyal (Deputy COO, GWSC)
🔹Prof. Srinivas Chary Vedala (Director, ASCI)
🔹Ms. Sakshi Gudwani (India WSH Lead, Gates Foundation)

Their commitment to advancing water and sanitation solutions was truly inspiring.

GWSC remains dedicated to identifying country-specific needs and addressing governance challenges through tailored programs that align with institutional priorities across South and Southeast Asia.

Heartfelt gratitude to ADB, Gates Foundation, Dasra, and all our regional partners for two days of meaningful collaboration. Looking forward to our continued journey toward sustainable water and sanitation solutions across Asia! A special appreciation to The organizing team from GWSC, Gates Foundation, and Dasra for their outstanding coordination, ensuring the success of this event

Read more about this event here: https://www.gwsc.ait.ac.th/gwsc-ait-leads-strategic-partnerships-with-adb-gates-foundation-and-dasra/

The GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology is proud to announce that Official Launch of the Open-Source Integrated Municipal Information System (IMIS) has been succesful! 🎉

A heartfelt thank you to all our partners Innovative Solution Pvt. Ltd, and to our speakers Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Gates Foundation; GWSC Co-Directors, Prof. Sangam Shrestha and Prof. Thammarat Koottatep; ISPL Managing Director, Dr. Bhushan Raj Shrestha; Dr. Kavinda Gunasekara, and attendees who joined us for this special occasion. Your enthusiasm and support reinforce the vision of open, accessible, and scalable digital public infrastructure for municipalities.

With this launch, IMIS is now publicly available to empower local governments with data-driven decision-making, advancing Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) and urban service management. This milestone marks the beginning of a collaborative journey toward more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
💻 Access the Open-Source Code: github.com/base-imis
🔗 Explore IMIS: imis.gwsc.ait.ac.th

This launch is just the first step—we look forward to working together with municipalities, developers, and urban planners to enhance and expand IMIS! Watch the event for more information.

📢 Join the conversation! Share your thoughts, explore IMIS, and collaborate with us to build better cities!

Integrated Municipal Information System (IMIS) Empowering Local Governments to achieve SDG 6.2 through CWIS Approach - Integrated Municipal Information System (IMIS)

On 6 February 2025, the Global Water & Sanitation Center at Asian Institute of Technology, was honored to host Dr. Sudha Murty—a pioneering advocate for gender equality and social empowerment. During this visit, she brought her perspectives and guidance to the insightful discussions reflecting GWSC’s mission of advancing and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene ( ) solutions across Asia.

The engaging discussions explored opportunities to drive inclusive for developing nations and to support scholarships for and in AIT’s Master’s programs—nurturing the of WASH leaders.

Key Focus Areas Discussed:
🔹 Scaling City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation ( ) and .
🔹Leveraging and for greater .
🔹Embedding , & ( ) in all WASH initiatives.

Attended by GWSC Co-Directors Prof. Sangam Shrestha and Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Deputy COOs Ms. Isha Basyal and Mr. Hendra Gupta, GEDSI Hub Lead Dr. Vineeta Thapa, and esteemed GWSC advisory board members Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha (Gates Foundation Deputy Director), and Dr. Bindu Lohani (Former Vice-President, ADB & Chancellor of the University of Nepal).

Thank you, Dr. Suhda Murty, for your inspiration and guidance!

Dr. Sudha Murty visit to GWSC: Inclusive & Sustainable WASH Innovations On 6 February 2025, the Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC) at AIT proudly welcomed Dr. Sudha Murty—a leading advocate for gender equality and social emp...

Our center is excited to announce the the official launch of the open-source Integrated Municipal Information System (IMIS) – a GIS-based Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) designed to transform municipal governance! This initiative is jointly organized by GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology and Innovative Solution Pvt. Ltd, with support from the Gates Foundation.

IMIS empowers local governments with data-driven decision-making, in advancing Citywide Inclusive Sanitation ( ) contributing to .2. Beyond sanitation, IMIS streamlines and enhances the management of various urban services, making cities more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. We aim at transforming the landscape of public services in the region by instilling data-driven evidence-based decision-making.

Join us for the live launch! Witness a live demonstration, explore IMIS’s potential impact, and help shape the future of collaborative urban governance.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
⏱️ Time: 11:00 AM bangkok, Thailand; 10:00 AM Dhaka, Bangladesh Time; 9:45 Kathmandu, Nepal
📺 Zoom Link: https://ait-ac-th.zoom.us/j/94958872987?pwd=we1Z6R96wm4DHbgUpbRJf9GmpCSMGx.1

Let’s drive innovation in municipal governance together!

The Global Water & Sanitation Center at Asian Institute of Technology extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Doulaye Koné on his appointment as Director of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WSH) Program at the Gates Foundation. This pivotal role underscores his unwavering dedication to advancing equitable sanitation solutions worldwide.

Our Center takes pride in our long-standing collaboration with Dr. Doulaye—a partnership rooted in groundbreaking research and a shared vision for sustainable sanitation long before his tenure at the Gates Foundation. His leadership has consistently bridged innovation with impact, and we are confident this new chapter will accelerate progress toward global sanitation equity.

We applaud the Gates Foundation’s commitment to elevating sanitation as a cornerstone of global health and climate resilience.

🎉 Congratulations, Dr. Doulaye Kone! 🎉

The NATS LAB team at AIT extends our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Doulaye Kone on his well-deserved promotion to Director at the Gates Foundation! 🌍👏

Dr. Kone’s dedication and leadership in advancing sanitation and water innovation have been truly inspiring. His work continues to make a significant impact on global health and sustainability, and we are excited to see how his vision will drive even greater change in the sector.

Wishing you all the best in this new role! 🚀💡

Join Global Water Leaders like Thammarat Koottatep, Professor & Co-Director, Global Water & Sanitation Center, AIT, Thailand, at the IWA Water and Development Congress, being held at , from 8-12th December 2025!

“This is more than just an event—it’s a platform to exchange ideas, share solutions, and inspire action on global water and sanitation challenges. With a strong focus on the Global South, it’s your chance to connect with experts, innovators, and leaders driving sustainable water management.”

Have insights or solutions to share? Submit your proposals and play an active role in shaping the future of water.

👉 Learn more: https://waterdevelopmentcongress.org/programme/

Don’t miss your opportunity to create lasting change with IWA.

Proud to share that our own leadership team at GWSC at Asian Institute of Technology has made significant contributions to UNESCO's latest open-access book: "The Water, Energy, and Food Security Nexus in Asia and the Pacific – Central and South Asia." This comprehensive publication delves into one of into the region's most pressing challenges: achieving sustainable resource security in an era of rapid change.

Co-Director, Prof. Thammarat Koottatep and Deputy COO, Hendra Gupta co-authored Chapter 15: "Addressing Nexus Challenges—Innovative Approaches to Urban Nexus Security" and contributed to the Nexus Approach. Their chapter highlights transformative strategies for securing resources in urban areas through integrated and innovative approaches.

The book offers vital insights into:
🔹 Interconnected sustainability challenges across Central and South Asia
🔹Solutions for balancing water, energy, and food security needs
🔹Innovative responses to climate change, urbanization, and poverty
🔹Transformative approaches for urban resource management

Read the Open Access book here https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-29035-0

OUT NOW!

We are delighted to announce the release of ‘Decentralisation & Empowerment: The Odisha Model for Urban Development’, as part of the GWSC project initiative under SCI-AI. This book has been co-authored by Mr. G Mathi Vathanan and Dr. Shubhagato Dasgupta.

This book explores the transformative journey of Odisha’s urban development through decentralization, showcasing groundbreaking innovations in water supply, sanitation, land rights, and urban governance. It’s a must-read for policymakers, students, and professionals seeking insights into sustainable and inclusive urban development.

📘 Give it a read here: https://iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/966/Decentralisation-and-EmpowermentThe-Odisha-Model

Asian Institute of Technology AIT Global Water & Sanitation Center

Decentralisation and Empowerment: The Odisha Model for Urban Development Abstract. Decentralisation and Empowerment: The Odisha Model for Urban Development discusses the key approaches and factors that underlie the highly succes