M.E programme in ‘Sanitation Science Technology and Management’
It is a Four semester Master of Engineering (M.E) programme in ‘Sanitation Science Technology and Management’.
Details of the programme (Input criteria, List of Core courses and Electives, curriculum structure) are given below
Preamble: BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa campus has competency in the area of Sanitation and Wastewater treatment. Department of Biological Sciences has been discussing to introduce a master’s programme in the area of sanitation. We are already offering two courses in the area of Sanitation for the First Degree students. This is also recognized by EAWAG, Switzerland. A total of 119 students have completed these courses and another 148 students have registered for the same in this semester.
BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa campus have a strong research programme wherein Bill & Melinda Gates foundation have funded several research projects. BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa campus had also recently signed an MoU with International Water Association with an objective to focus on the same area of research.
In the meanwhile Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Institute for Water Education (IHE) Delft has launched a new Master of Science Program in Sanitation. IHE, Delft with sponsorship from Gates foundation would like to transfer this programme to other universities in other countries with partial funding. Their target is to generate 1000 professionals through their partnership with various Institutes across the world. BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa campus has been short listed as one of the university in this partnership.
Background Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) focusses on Water and Sanitation and the tasks mentioned in SDG 6. Sanitation is also high on agenda of the Indian Government. Trained Postgraduate and working professionals are of high demand. Bill and Melinda Gates foundation had significantly invested in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme and they had funded UNESCO IHE and its 8 partners in developing e learning alliance. The foundation’s investment strategy in sanitation requires qualified and trained professionals. International Water Association (IWA) is an association of water professionals around the world and they too predicted the requirement of professional capacity needs in Water and Sanitation. According to IWA “The gap in 2014 was 700,000 individuals, but that gap has widened with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.” www.iwa-network.org/iwa-learn.