IIT Palakkad Inaugurates 2nd International Conference on Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (ICNSS 2026)

The Global Sanitation Center of Excellence (GSCOE) at IIT Palakkad, in collaboration with the International Water Association (IWA), inaugurated the 2nd International Conference on Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems (ICNSS 2026). The four-day conference, being held from July 9 to 12, brings together researchers, policymakers, industry experts and practitioners from across the world to discuss innovations and sustainable solutions in non-sewered sanitation systems. Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Praveena Gangadharan, Conference Chair,  ICNSS 2026, Project Director, GSCoE and Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Palakkad, highlighted the conference as a platform to foster global collaboration and accelerate innovations in sustainable sanitation.

Presiding over the inaugural session, Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, Director, IIT Palakkad, reaffirmed the institute's commitment to developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions that address real-world challenges. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vishal Choudhary, Scientist-F, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, emphasised that sanitation extends far beyond public hygiene and plays a vital role in sustainable development. 

Smt. D. Thara, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and National Mission Director, AMRUT 2.0, Government of India and Dr. Najib L. Bataganya, Deputy Director – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Gates Foundation, USA conveyed felicitations. Dr. Valerie Naidoo, Senior Research Manager, Water Research Commission, South Africa and Mr. Jay Bhagwan, Chair, IWA Specialist Group on Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems, South Africa also addressed the gathering. The formal event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Devasena M, Chief Technical Officer, GSCoE.