Gates Foundation – The Principal Supporter

Since 2010, the Gates Foundation has been working hand in hand with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (formerly UNESCO-IHE) and its partners to shape a new generation of leaders in sanitation. That journey took a major step forward in 2017 with the launch of the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS) – a groundbreaking initiative that quickly became the world’s largest network for postgraduate education in sanitation. And in 2025, thanks to continued support from the Foundation, the GSGS entered an exciting new chapter, expanding into regional hubs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The story began with Dr. Frank Rijsberman, the Foundation’s first Director of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WSH) Program. Through the SaniUp grant, he initiated a partnership with IHE Delft that resulted in 60 master’s graduates, 20 PhD fellows, and 5 postdoctoral researchers – each contributing to advancing sanitation innovation. Two years later, under the leadership of Mr. Brian Arbogast, WSH’s new Director, the Foundation’s commitment grew even stronger. That momentum accelerated further in 2015, when Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha joined the Foundation, amplifying the reach and impact of sanitation education and research. Under their leadership, a bold new grant helped bring Delft’s pioneering sanitation curriculum to 42 universities in 22 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. This expansion laid the foundation for what would become the GSGS – a global community of scholars, innovators, and practitioners working together to solve one of the world’s most pressing challenges. In 2025, with Dr. Shrestha and Dr. Najib L. Bateganya at the helm – and fostered by Dr. Doulaye Koné, the current Director of the WSH program – the GSGS evolved into a truly global network, with strong regional roots. Thanks to the Foundation’s ongoing commitment, this support is secured through February 2028, ensuring that the movement for better sanitation will continue to grow stronger.

At IHE Delft’s 2018 graduation ceremony, when the very first GSGS graduates proudly received their master’s degrees, we had the chance to speak with Mr. Brian Arbogast, then Director of the Gates Foundation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program (2013–2024).

Since joining the Gates Foundation, Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha has played a pivotal role in advancing the global water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening human resources and building institutional capacity across low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Shrestha also spearheaded the establishment and growth of the Global Sanitation Graduate School, which has become the world’s largest platform for postgraduate education in sanitation. By fostering academic excellence and professional training, the GSGS is equipping a new generation of experts with the skills needed to address pressing sanitation challenges worldwide. Through his vision and commitment as a GSGS Strategic Advisor and a member of the GSGS Governing Board, Dr. Shrestha continues to drive innovation and impact in global sanitation, contributing to healthier communities and sustainable development.