A seminar titled “Building Resilient Sanitation Systems: STP, FSM and Sustainable Drainage in Practice” was held at the seminar room of the Department of Civil Engineering of CUET, organized by the Institute of River, Harbor and Environmental Science (IRHES).
The chief guest at the event held on Monday, 13 April in the afternoon was Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Professor Dr. Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan.
Special guests at the seminar were Professor Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET and Regional Director of the Global Sanitation Graduate School, and Professor Dr. Md. Riaz Aktar Mallik, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at CUET. The session was presided over by Professor Dr. Asiful Haque, Director of IRHES.
Resource persons included Professor Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, Professor Dr. Asiful Haque, Professor Dr. Sudip Kumar Pal, and Executive Engineer of Chattogram WASA Mohammad Shahab Uddin. The seminar was conducted by Assistant Professor Dr. Md. Arif Hossain of IRHES.
In his speech as the chief guest, CUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan said that a safe and clean environment is essential for a healthy and dignified human life. An effective and sustainable sanitation system is one of the key foundations of such an environment. He added that hygienic sanitation plays a significant role not only in improving public health but also in poverty alleviation, economic growth, and social development.
He further said that one of the major challenges of urbanization is waterlogging. Drainage systems are being disrupted as canals, drains, and sewer lines are being filled due to illegal encroachment and waste accumulation. As a result, even light rainfall leads to severe waterlogging. To address this issue, he emphasized the need for restoration of canals and water bodies, regular maintenance of drainage systems, and responsible behavior from urban residents.
The organizers stated that such seminars will create new perspectives in urbanization and environmental management and will play an effective role in implementing sustainable sanitation systems.
DBTech/IEM/OR
