KATHMANDU, APRIL 5 UNESCO has appointed Dhiraj Pradhananga as the UNESCO Chair in Mountain Cryosphere and Water. Dr Pradhananga, an associate professor and head of department at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus under Tribhuvan University, will lead efforts to advance research, teaching and training in cryosphere and water systems. The chair, established under the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, aims to promote collaboration among national and international researchers, academic institutions and communities. It is hosted by the Department of Meteorology at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Institute of Science and Technology. According to UNESCO, the chair will focus on developing action plans in coordination with the UNESCO National Commission, the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme Committee and other science bodies. It will also support initiatives such as open science promotion and preparations for the International Conference on Gender and Technology 2027. During a recent meeting, UNESCO Representative to Nepal Jaco du Toit and Dr Pradhananga discussed collaboration aligned with global frameworks including the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences and efforts to close the gender gap in science.