Kathmandu:

Nepalis making a mark in the international arena does not fail to delight us, and and this is particularly true if the person capitalises on his/her expertise and networking to serve his/her homeland. One such person who has brought us immense delight is Professor Bishal Sitaula, who recently became the first Professor of Nepali origin in Scandinavia.

A felicitation programme was organised by Nepal-Norway Alumni Association (NNAA) on April 6 at the Bhagwan Mahavir Jain Niketan, Kamalpokhari to mark Sitaula’s achievement.

Born in Nigarudin village, Taplejung, Sitaula completed his PhD in ‘Agriculture and Global Environment Change’ from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in 1994. He has a good track record of promoting higher education, research and institutional collaboration in several countries in Asia, Africa and Western Balkans. Working actively with universities in Nepal to enhance the academic standard, Sitaula also has five dozen scientific publications under his belt. He was awarded a full-time professorship in March this year by an impressed National Evaluation Committee in Norway.

The felicitation for the scientist was rendered a spiritual one with Swami Atmananda Giri and Dr Yogi Vikashananda gracing the occasion. Mellifluous singing nun Ani Choying Dolma added her share to the spiritual air through her popular numbers and recitation of mantras. And presiding over the programme was president of NNAA, Shiva Kumar Sharma.

An interesting speech was also delivered by Professor Suresh Raj Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University, on the eligibility criteria for being a professor in the modern context in Scandinavia. “One needs to have an interdisciplinary approach to study, cater to a global audience, and have good international linkages, among others, to be a professor in Scandinavia these days,” Sharma said.

“Nepalis willing to excel in the modern world can definitely make it happen. However, one also needs to have good internal network and interpersonal relationship. Success comes from enthusiasm, right attitude, and integration of the body, mind and spirit,” a happy Sitaula said speaking to this daily.