The new “Integrated Rainwater Harvesting Unit” at the NUST School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), Islamabad, opened on June 8,2026, marked by a special ribbon cutting ceremony by NUST, Shehersaaz and UN-Habitat. Reinforcing its commitment to advancing climate-resilient and sustainable educational infrastructure across Pakistan, the initiative is implemented under PROGRESSIVE (Program for Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Educational Places for All), a flagship long-term program of Shehersaaz dedicated to integrating climate adaptation into public and educational spaces.

The inauguration was graced by Dr. Mohammad Irfan, Principal & Dean of SCEE, NUST, Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor/Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat and Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director of Shehersaaz, along with distinguished representatives from UN-Habitat, Shehersaaz, and the faculty of SCEE NUST.

Designed to capture and utilize rainwater efficiently, the system will directly benefit over 1,000 students and faculty members, reducing dependence on conventional water sources and promoting sustainable water resource management. Beyond its operational value, the installation serves as a practical learning model for students, researchers, and future engineers, demonstrating real-world applications of climate-smart infrastructure.

According to NUST 80% students are using the facility and benefiting from it.

The project is part of the broader PUCCAR Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, implemented by Shehersaaz in partnership with UN-Habitat and supported financially by the Adaptation Fund, highlighting the strength of global-local collaboration in addressing urban climate challenges.

During the event, NUST leadership appreciated Shehersaaz’s impactful intervention and expressed interest in expanding similar sustainability initiatives, recognizing the importance of scaling climate-resilient infrastructure in academic institutions.
Through visionary leadership and consistent delivery of innovative solutions, Shehersaaz continues to position itself as a leading force in climate adaptation, urban resilience, and sustainable development in Pakistan, transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for long-term impact and community benefit.

Shehersaaz, accomplished yet another milestone by successfully concluding its PROGRESSIVE program, for which a ceremony was held in Rawalpindi. This included a formal handing over of Rainwater Harvesting Units to 18 government schools-a new benchmark toward climate-resilient and eco-sensitive learning spaces.

This occasion brought together officials from the education department, school principals, project teams, and community partners, and other stakeholders to celebrate this milestone. The CEO, District Education Authority Rawalpindi, Tariq Mehmood appreciated Shehersaaz for being a strong advocate of sustainable education through strengthening school-level resilience via practical community-centered solutions.

Project Manager Dr. Beenish gave an insightful overview of the PROGRESSIVE initiative within the project PUCCAR. She explained how each Rainwater Harvesting Unit was designed, installed, and integrated within school routines for better water security and increased environmental awareness among students and teachers alike.

A dynamic question-and-answer session with on-site engineer Abdullah further highlighted technical processes, key challenges, and the collaboration that shaped the success of the program.

The Disaster Risk Reduction component in the PROGRESSIVE program is very robust, preparing the students for real-life challenges. Specifically targeted trainings in first aid, solid waste management, and care for the environment have equipped the students with the skills to segregate wastes, produce compost, and establish kitchen gardens in their respective schools. All these activities give hands-on practice to the students while building a culture of responsibility, preparedness, and climate consciousness.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with principals of the 18 participating schools was the defining moment of the ceremony. This is where each school formalizes its commitment to maintain the systems provided and takes full ownership of all components contributing to its transformation into a PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL.

The program, which is implemented in partnership with UN Habitat and the Adaptation Fund, comprises far more than just water-related solutions-it involves urban farming and energy-efficient measures, too, thereby transforming schools into active hubs of both resilience and sustainability.

It was followed by the 29th anniversary celebration of Shehersaaz, which marked almost three decades of leading sustainable urban development and community-based climate action. PROGRESSIVE reflects the unwavering vision and capability that constitute Shehersaaz's success. Combining innovation and collaboration to engage with communities, Shehersaaz further shapes smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities for future generations.