To GSGS partners

Dear colleagues at IHE Delft and the GSGS network,

I hope you are all doing well.

After thirteen immensely rewarding years at the Gates Foundation—and nearly twenty-five years before that in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector—I have decided to begin a new chapter. I will be retiring from the Foundation at the end of this year and returning to Nepal to spend more time with my family, especially my elderly mother.

When I joined the Foundation in 2012, sanitation efforts were largely centered on toilet construction. The broader sanitation value chain was not yet widely recognized; viable service and business models were limited, safety was often overlooked, and on-site systems lacked structured support. NGOs were expected to provide toilets for underserved communities, while non-sewered sanitation was undervalued, and fecal sludge management (FSM) systems were virtually nonexistent in South Asia. Development banks were understandably cautious about investing in non-sewered and inclusive sanitation solutions.

Together, we have come a long way. Today, the global dialogue has shifted toward inclusive, sustainable, and safely managed sanitation for all. Governments are making substantial investments, the private sector is increasingly engaged, and development banks are dedicating significant resources toward inclusive sanitation. I am deeply proud that our collective efforts have contributed to this transformation—helping shape national policies, catalyzing the ADB Sanitation Trust Fund and similar mechanisms by other development banks, and establishing transformative initiatives such as the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS), the Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC), and several Regional Capacity Platforms and networks. These efforts are now nurturing future sanitation leaders across Asia and Africa, with multiple cities emerging as learning hubs for inclusive sanitation.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the remarkable progress and achievements of the GSGS and our enduring partnership. What began in 2011 as a collaboration to strengthen the MSc and PhD programs on water and sanitation at IHE Delft has evolved into one of the most successful global initiatives for developing sanitation professionals from the Global South.

The establishment of the GSGS in 2017 marked a turning point. The launch of the MSc in Sanitation program in 2018 in Delft—and its transfer in 2019 to universities in Africa and Asia—has had a transformative global impact. Today, the program is active at 42 universities, supported by 55 academic and 25 non-academic partners, with 1,198 MSc students, 583 graduates, and over 2,000 professionals trained from 98 countries. Its focus on non-sewered sanitation (NSS) and Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS), underpinned by a shared curriculum, has strengthened local capacity and shaped the sector in lasting ways.

The institutionalization of the MSc programs at partner universities, the launch of the GSGS online platforms and alumni network, and the IWA partnership demonstrate strong sustainability and continued global relevance. I am particularly delighted that GSGS has become the largest SDG6 accelerator in postgraduate sanitation education and was recognized with the IWA Inclusive Urban Sanitation Champion Award for Youth Engagement in 2023—a fitting recognition of your leadership, dedication, and vision.

On behalf of all of us at the Gates Foundation, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to Prof. Damir for leading the initiative, as well as the regional leads (Prof Mona Iyer, Prof. Tanvir Ahemed, Prof Anderson Harinaivo, Dr. Rose Kaggwa), the entire IHE Delft team (Shirish Singh, Claire Furlong, Konstantina Velkushanova, Tineke Hooijmans, Carlos Lopez Vazquez, Francisco Rubio Rincon, Hector Garcia, and Selvi Pransiska.), Members Monitoring & Evaluation Team (Prof Amadou Maiga and Prof Guanghao Chen) and all supporting partners for your outstanding commitment and contributions to advancing inclusive sanitation education and innovation worldwide. This partnership stands as an inspiring example of how global collaboration can drive systemic and sustainable change.

At the Foundation, I would like to extend special thanks to Brian Arbogast, our former Director, and Doulaye Koné, our current Director, for their unwavering support of this partnership over the past decade. I am equally grateful to my colleagues, Najib, Sakshi, Melody, Raminta, and Melissa, for their continued support and guidance, which contributed to the program’s success. I would also like to acknowledge my former colleagues from the foundation Alyse, Danielle, and Jan Williem for their contributions at the different stages of this program

Though I will be stepping away from my official role, my passion for this work remains unwavering. I look forward to continuing as a mentor and advisor—supporting innovation, policy development, and capacity building in the years ahead. As one of the founding members of the GSGS Governing Board, my commitment to its institutional growth and sustainability will continue in my new capacities.

My final day with the Foundation will be December 31, 2025. I am working closely with WSH leadership, including Doulaye, Najib, and the broader WSH team, to ensure a smooth transition.

Thank you for your friendship, trust, and inspiration. It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside each of you toward our shared vision of inclusive and sustainable sanitation for everyone. I look forward to staying connected and hope to see many of you at the IWA Development Congress in Bangkok.

Please feel free to reach me at rrshrestha712@gmail.com starting January 1, 2026.