Two days long (23-24 February 2019) 6th International conference on Integrated Solid Waste & Faecal Sludge Management in South-Asian Countries WasteSafe 2019 successfully held at KUET. The experts, participates at the conference expressed their hope highly that this conference will bring new horizon in solid waste & faecal sludge management sectors in the developing countries. KUET, Bauhaus University Weimer Germany, University of Padova, Italy and International Waste Working Group (IWWG) jointly organized the conference aiming to exchange views and experiences at international level and to understand solid waste and faecal sludge management concept. This conference was sponsored by the UGC, SNV, WaterAid, Seven Rings Cement, Practical Action and China Geo-Engineering Corporation.
Hon’ble Mayor of Khulna City Corporation Talukder Abdul Khaleque inaugurated the conference as the Chief Guest on 23 February Saturday at 9:00 AM. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Alamgir, Chair, WasteSafe 2017 International Conference and former Vice-Chancellor of KUET, delivered his welcome speech and presided over the function. Acting Vice-Chancellor and Dean of CE Faculty Prof. Dr. Quazi Hamidul Bari was addressed as the Chief Patron, Theme Paper presented by the Prof. Raffaello Cossu, University of Padova, Italy entitled as “Closing the Lopes of Waste Management Strategy”. Mehrab Ul Goni, Practical Action Bangladesh and Dr. Md. Liakath Ali, WaterAid Bangladesh were addressed on behalf of the strategic partners. Prof. Eckhard Kraft and Prof. Liz Bachhuber, Bauhaus University Weimar, Germany were addressed as the Co-organizers. This time on behalf of Special Guest Mr. Jason Mitchell Belanger, Country Director, SNV Bangladesh, his written speech was also read out by his representative. After inaugural session the exhibition on “The Art Work from BUW” was opened for “100 yrs. Celebration of Bauhaus University Weimar” at KUET Archive, Ground Floor of SWC. Waste experts from different countries including Bangladesh, Germany, Italy, India, Nepal, and Zimbabwe were participated in this conference. Conference Dinner and an attractive cultural program were also held in a local hotel in the evening of 1st day of conference. A total number of 77 technical papers including 3 Key-note Session, 3 key-note papers, 1 theme paper were presented in 12 parallel technical session, where research scholars, experts, engineers, professionals of related field exchange views among themselves. This time ‘WasteSafe Lifetime Achievement Award 2019” given to Prof. Raffaello Cossu of Itraly. Dr. M. Harunur Rashid’s best paper awards were given to the three authors from Bangladesh, Italy and Nepal. Best Innovation also handed over to a researcher from Bangladesh.
On February 24 at 6:00 PM. the closing session of the conference was held at the SWC of KUET. Prof. Raffaello Cossu, University of Padova, Italy; Prof. Eckhard Kraft and Prof. Liz Bachhuber, Bauhaus University Weimar, Germany; Dr. Nawa Raj Khatiwada, Academician and Waste Management Expert, Nepal, Professor Dr. Quazi Hamidul Bari of CE Department of KUET were delivered their speech. Dr. Kazi A.B.M. Mohiuddin of KUET declared the names of the recipient of Best Innovation award. Chair of the conference Prof. Dr. Muhammed Alamgir and former Vice-Chancellor of KUET presided over the event. On behalf of the organizer he gratefully recalled the supports and thanked all for the successful end of this conference. He also declared the next 7th Conference of WasteSafe 2021, that will be held on 27-28 February 2021 while Bangladesh celebrates it 50 years Anniversary of the Independence. Before this conference, the first, second, third, fourth and fifth conference were successfully held in the same place, respectively, in the year of 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.
