By Office of Communications and Public Affairs
16 March 2026 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) welcomed a delegation from Joint Stock Company “Uzsuvtaminot” (JSC Uzsuvtaminot), Uzbekistan’s national water utility, for a series of meetings and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration in water and sanitation capacity development.
The delegation, led by H.E. Suvankulov Akhmad Khudayshukurovich, Chairman of the Board of JSC Uzsuvtaminot, included Dr. Yuldasheva Salomat Sharofitdinovna, Project Manager for AFD-financed Projects, and Mr. Djuraev Shukhrat Ziyakulovich, Project Manager for AIIB-financed Projects.
Exploring Collaboration in Water and Sanitation Capacity Development
The visit began on 12 March, 2026 with discussions between the Uzbek delegation and the delegation from AIT’s Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE) and the AIT Global Water and Sanitation Centre (GWSC). The meetings explored potential cooperation in human capital development, curriculum design, and technical collaboration to support Uzbekistan’s growing water and sanitation sector.
A key topic of discussion was AIT’s potential role in supporting curriculum development and academic frameworks for the proposed International University for Water and Sanitation in Uzbekistan, which will be established under JSC “Uzsuvtaminot.” The institution is envisioned to help develop skilled professionals for water supply, wastewater management, and sanitation services.
During the discussions, His Excellency Akhmad Suvankulov highlighted Uzbekistan’s rising investments in water and sanitation infrastructure and the urgent need for qualified human resources to sustain long-term sector development.
“Uzbekistan has made significant progress in expanding investment in water and sanitation. We are therefore very pleased to partner with AIT to advance capacity building, strengthen human capital, and work together on solutions for decentralized sanitation and the long-term development of the sector,” he said.
The delegation noted that the national water utility employs more than 26,800 staff, with further growth expected as infrastructure projects expand. While progress has been made in improving access to safe drinking water, challenges remain in wastewater management and decentralized sanitation, especially in rural areas.
AIT representatives shared the institute’s experience and expertise in water engineering, sanitation systems, and regional capacity development. Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Professor at FCEE and Co-Director of GWSC emphasized AIT’s readiness to support the initiative through curriculum development, training, and collaborative research.
AIT and Uzbekistan’s Uzsuvtaminot Sign MoU to Advance WASH Sector Cooperation
The collaboration was further strengthened through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AIT and JSC Uzsuvtaminot on 13 March. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in education, policy dialogue, technical advisory services, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.
Welcoming the delegation during the signing ceremony, AIT President Prof. Pai-Chi Li highlighted the significance of the partnership.
“This MoU provides an important framework to strengthen collaboration between our institutions and to scale up our activities in capacity development, academic collaboration, and technical advisory support. Uzbekistan has made remarkable progress in advancing its water and sanitation sector, and AIT is honored to contribute through our expertise and the work of the Global Water and Sanitation Center,” said Prof. Li.
In his remarks, H.E. Suvankulov noted that Uzbekistan’s national water utility plays a central role in delivering drinking water and wastewater services across the country through its regional organizations and engineering companies.
“By signing this memorandum, we look forward to cooperating in the areas of capacity building and the development of new specialists in the water and sanitation sector. During our visit to AIT, we observed how theoretical knowledge is closely linked with practical training. This integration is very important for addressing the gap between academic knowledge and real operational challenges,” he said.
During their visit, the Uzbek delegation also toured AIT facilities and laboratories, gaining insights into the institute’s education, research, and outreach activities in water and sanitation. The delegation visited the AI and Simulation Lab, WEM Hydraulics and Irrigation Laboratory, the EEM Laboratory, and the NATS Laboratory. They also visited GWSC to learn more about AIT’s regional initiatives and applied research in the WASH sector. Discussions further explored AIT-GWSC serving as a technical partner to support institutional capacity building.
Both parties expressed a strong interest in developing long-term cooperation that combines research, innovation, and professional training to support sustainable water services and strengthen the development of the sector in Uzbekistan.
The discussions and MoU signing were attended by AIT representatives including Prof. Manukid Parnichkun, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research; Prof. Siddharth K. Jabade, Vice President for Administration and Development; Dr. Ekbordin Winijkul, Dean, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE); Prof. Sangam Shrestha, Professor, Water Engineering and Management (WEM), FCEE and Co-Director, Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC); Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Professor, Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM), FCEE and Co-Director, GWSC; Dr. Wenchao Xue, Program Chair and Associate Professor, EEM; Dr. Natthachet Tangdamrongsub, Program Chair and Associate Professor, EEM; Dr. Simon Guerrero Cruz, Associate Professor, EEM; Dr. Mohana Sundaram Shanmugam, Assistant Professor, WEM; Dr. Nurul Husna Hassan, Assistant Professor, WEM; Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director, Office of International Affairs; Mr. Sanjeet Amatya, Director, Office of Communications and Public Affairs; Mr. Agus Nugroho, Chief Operating Officer, GWSC; Ms. Isha Basyal, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, GWSC; Mr. Hendra Gupta, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, GWSC; Dr. Vineeta Thapa, GEDSI Lead, GWSC; Dr. Sanjiv Neupane, Data Innovation Hub Manager, GWSC; and Mr. Suraj Pradhan, Senior Research Associate, GWSC; and Ms. Alistina Shrestha, Marketing, Recruitment and Digital Strategy Manager, FCEE & FAST.
