An online self-paced training on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) and Integrated Wastewater and Septage Management (IWSM) on the National Urban Learning Platform (NULP) was successfully conducted through a collaborative initiative between the Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Nepal, and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), India. This also marks a significant step towards regional collaboration in sanitation capacity building between ENPHO and NIUA.
The online self-learning course officially began on 9 May 2025, with 57 participants from diverse professional and institutional backgrounds, including government agencies, development organisations, academia, private companies, and independent consultants across Nepal. The course was designed to foster a thorough understanding of the various components of FSSM and IWSM, enabling participants to design and implement sustainable and effective sanitation solutions in urban areas.
Despite being online, self-paced training, participants received ongoing support to improve their learning experience. Weekly problem-solving sessions were held via Zoom to address queries and challenges during the course. Additionally, regular follow-ups through phone calls and a dedicated WhatsApp group encouraged participant motivation and helped ensure steady progress towards completing the course on time.
The two-month online course officially concluded on 17 July 2025, with 54% of the enrolled participants successfully completing the course and the remaining participants are in the process of finishing their course.
Figure 2: Problem solving meeting with the training participants
Shrijana Joshi highlighted, “The course content effectively covers the fundamentals of FSSM within the context of urban sanitation. It is rich and insightful. One of the best aspects of this online course is the weekly live sessions, which foster valuable interaction between experts and learners. Additionally, the self-paced learning model offers flexibility, making it more convenient to complete the course. Overall, it’s been a great learning experience.”
The successful completion of this self-learning online course marks a notable step in regional collaboration to build capacity across borders using virtual platforms. The joint effort by ENPHO and NIUA not only provided a platform for knowledge enhancement but also demonstrated the effectiveness of flexible, self-paced learning supported by structured guidance. With participants gaining practical insights into FSSM and IWSM, the initiative is expected to contribute meaningfully to the design and implementation of sustainable urban sanitation solutions.
This collaborative venture has also encouraged learners to explore a wide range of courses on urban development available on the National Urban Learning Platform, deepening their understanding of India’s urban transformation journey.
