Ayeesha Khanam S, a chartered engineer and associate member of the Institution of Engineers (India), has over nine years of professional experience in energy and environment, holding a master’s degree in environmental engineering from University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.
Ayeesha has extensive experience in collaborations with national and international organisations, government agencies, and municipal corporations in India. She has been involved in significant projects including the award winning Kundalahalli Lake rejuvenation project, the development of the SWAPT decision-making software tool for Solid Waste Management under Swachh Bharat Mission, conducting a feasibility study for assessment of reuse of wastewater requirement for major ports of India (Chennai, Ennore and Tuticorin), and the establishment of India’s first waste to energy biomethanation plant in Nashik in collaboration with GIZ.
She has worked on various projects related to water, sanitation, solid waste management, drainage, rainwater harvesting, e-waste, biomethanation, and environmental impact assessment, focusing on strengthening waste management systems in low-income areas and improving SWM practices at ward levels.
Throughout her career, Ayeesha has collaborated with renowned organisations such as DA, EY, ICLEI-SA, IIWM, and various municipal corporations in cities like Chennai, Rajkot, Kochi, Nashik, Tenali, Warangal, Rajasthan, Goa and Uttarakhand. She has also worked with international organisations like GIZ, IFEU, Consul Aqua, Adelphi, and Gopa Infra.
Furthermore, Ayeesha has contributed to research projects, such as a study on resources and climate protection through integrated waste management projects in emerging economies and developing countries, which was published in environmental research on behalf of the German Environment Agency.
Currently, Ayeesha serves as a External Consultant, as a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) capacity building expert in Bengaluru as part of the Urban Practitioners’ Programme (UPP) at IIHS.