GSGS Regional Hub India hosted a global dialogue on sanitation education at ICNSS 2026

GSGS Regional Hub India hosted a panel discussion on 10th July 2026 at IIT Palakkad, as part of the 2nd International Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems Conference (ICNSS 2026), titled, ‘Strengthening Non-Sewered Sanitation Education: A Global Dialogue.’

Non-sewered sanitation serves the majority of urban and peri-urban populations across the Global South, yet remains underrepresented in academic and professional training curricula. This session brought together sector leaders, academics, and practitioners to discuss how we build a stronger, more globally informed NSS education ecosystem; and what it will take to prepare the next generation of professionals for this work.

Discussions centred on strengthening South-South exchange of knowledge and experience, building stronger industry-academia linkages to bridge the gap between classroom learning and field practice, and expanding short courses and continuing education pathways for working sanitation professionals. The panel also emphasised the need for transdisciplinary learning that goes beyond conventional engineering training, and explored how public policy and advocacy can open new avenues for jobs and career pathways in the sector. Discussants also reflected alongside broader questions on curriculum design, employer demand, and career visibility for students entering the field.

Panel discussants: Roshan Shrestha, Preyan Arumugam, Anindita Mukherjee, Jitendra Singh, Juliet Willetts, Konstantina Velkushanova, Priya Das, Dhruv Bhavsar, Kavita Wankhade, Krishna C Rao.

Moderators: Mona Iyer, Damir Brdjanovic, Siddh Doshi.