5 June 2016

Department of Environmental Science and Engineering (DESE), School of Science, organized a one-day International Workshop on " Open Defecation Free (ODF) Campaign and Septic Tanks Construction in Nepal: What Next?".

The workshop was divided into three sessions, an Opening, Technical and Panel Discussion session. The Opening session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University. Hon'ble State Minister Manju Kumari Chaudhary, Ministry of Urban Development and Chief Guest of the program inaugurated the workshop. Prof. Dr. Mohan Bikram Gewali, (Dean, School of Science, KU), Er. Sunil Kumar Das (Deputy Director General, Department of Water Supply & Sewerage), Er. Shambhu KC (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development), Er. Ganesh Shah (Former Minister of Environment, Science and Technology) gave their opening remarks. Prof. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha concluded the Opening session with his closing remarks. Chief Guest highlighted the role of the university as a bridge to knowledge and in developing a pool of professionals. Prof. Dr. Shrestha emphasized on the importance of environmental protection and WASH.

During the two Technical sessions, five distinguished professionals and academicians working in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sectors (WASH), Er. Sunil Kumar Das, Prof. Emeritus Euiso Choi (Innovative Water Center, Cambodia), Dr. Thammarat Koottatep (Associate Professor, AIT Thailand), Er. Hari Prasad Sharma (Water and wastewater Specialist and Deputy Team Leader, DOHWA Consultancy, South Korea) and Ms. Nadira A. Khawaja (WASH Sector Leader, SNV-Nepal) presented their respective papers.      

Technical session was followed by a Panel Discussion session entitled “Toilet waste management in emerging cities and towns”, which was moderated by Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar from UN-HABITAT. The panelist of the session were: Er. Sunil Kumar Das (DWSS), Er. Kishor Kumar Shakya (Chairman, High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization), Ms. Sarita Shrestha Maskey (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development), Dr. Thammarat Koottatep, Prof. Euiso Choi, Ms. Nadira A. Khawaja, Er. Hari Prasad Sharma.

More than 100 professionals, policy makers, academicians, researchers and students working in WASH sectors participated in the workshop. Dr. Kundan Shrestha, Assistant Professor and Coordinator Environmental Engineering, DESE, KU concluded the program with his closing remarks.