Addressing Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria in Bangladesh! An International Collaborative Research Project Selected for the JST-JICA SATREPS Program

Professor Kozo Watanabe at the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, has been appointed as the principal investigator of an international collaborative research project titled "Project for implementing water quality monitoring and purification technologies to mitigate health risks for antimicrobial resistances (AMR) in the Dhaka Metropolitan area". This project has been selected for the JST-JICA Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program, jointly conducted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

​SATREPS is an international collaborative research program that aims to solve global issues by integrating Japan’s advanced science and technology with official development assistance (ODA) for developing countries. For this project, an agreement document will be exchanged with the Bangladesh government and research institutions within this fiscal year. It is planned to be implemented over five years, starting in April 2026, with a total budget of approximately 500 million yen.

Japanese Principal Investigator: Kozo Watanabe, Professor at the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University
Bangladeshi Principal Investigator: Anwar Hossain, Professor at the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka
Project Title: Project for implementing water quality monitoring and purification technologies to mitigate health risks for antimicrobial resistances (AMR) in the Dhaka Metropolitan area
Research Period: Five years (April 2026 - March 2031)
Budget Size: approximately 500 million Japenese Yen
Partner Country: The People's Republic of Bangladesh
Japanese Research Institutions:

• Ehime University (Lead Institution)
• University of Shizuoka
• Yamagata University
• Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

Bangladeshi Research Institutions:

• University of Dhaka (Lead Institution)
• Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh

Project Overview
   This research aims to mitigate health risks associated with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the Dhaka metropolitan area of Bangladesh by establishing a water quality monitoring system and introducing wastewater treatment technologies. Specifically, the project will conduct surveys and establish standards for water quality management parameters, including antibiotics and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, in cooperation with the Department of Environment. A water environment monitoring system will be developed to monitor general water quality, chemical substances, and resistant bacteria in rivers, hospital wastewater, sewage treatment plants, and domestic wastewater.
   Furthermore, the project will develop efficient wastewater treatment technologies to degrade residual antibiotics and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in hospital wastewater and propose business models to promote these technologies locally. It will also assess health risks posed by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in aquatic environments and propose optimal scenarios, including appropriate placement plans for wastewater treatment facilities, to minimize such risks.
   The project also includes the development of environmental education programs to promote behavioral changes aimed at reducing the use of antibiotics. Additionally, it plans to establish a Dhaka Water Environment Research Center, laying the groundwork for sustainable activities after the project's completion.

Related Websites
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) SATREPS program: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/index.html
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JST Press Release: https://www.jst.go.jp/pr/info/info1764/index.html
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JICA Press Release: https://www.jica.go.jp/information/press/2025/20250417_11.html

Ehime University Press Release (in Japanese): https://www.ehime-u.ac.jp/data_relese/pr_20250418_cmes/​

A joint survey on environmental pollution in the Briganga River in Dhaka is being conducted by Professor Watanabe of Ehime University (centre right) and Professor Hossain of Dhaka University (centre left).