KATHMANDU, APRIL 30
Kathmandu University and Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) have entered into an agreement to collaborate on areas of mutual interest in the fields of education and research.
The Dhulikhel-based university and the Hague-based institute signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a programme organised at the university's School of Management premises in Balkumari, Lalitpur on Monday.
The two institutions have agreed to collaborate on joint research, publications, and the exchange of researchers, faculty, and students. They have also agreed to mobilise grants to fund joint research in the field of public policy. Both parties will support each other's research initiatives, according to the press release issued by the Kathmandu University.
Speaking at the MoU signing programme, Prof. Dr. Achyut Wagle, Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University, said the agreement would facilitate exchange between the university and the global academic community. Wagle also highlighted the university's policy of inviting global faculty for long-term teaching and research assignments to strengthen KU's global profile.
"The global diaspora expert network of NPI is welcome to contribute to KU's academic programs, either through short-term or long-term engagements," Wagle said. He further noted that the collaboration would lead to a "cross-fertilisation of ideas."
During the programme, Dr. Khagendra Dhakal, Chair of the Board of Directors of NPI, spoke about the institute's role in strengthening policy research and the think-tank ecosystem in Nepal and abroad. He said the collaboration in academic and research activities would reinforce the efforts both institutions have been making independently, the release further stated.
"This collaboration helps Nepali talents abroad showcase and apply their expertise with a focus on Nepal, ultimately benefiting the country through their contributions," Dhakal said. He also emphasised the importance of triangular collaboration among the public sector, universities, and think tanks in Nepal's current context.
KU, established in 1991, is Nepal's premier university with almost 22,000 students enrolled in its central and constituent campuses. NPI, established in 2017, is a policy research institution based in the Netherlands, with a global network of over 1,260 diaspora experts.
Prior to this agreement, NPI and KU's School of Management had collaborated on several initiatives, including the Nepal Policy Leadership Program (NPLP) for federal government officials.
The MoU signing event was attended by key officials from various schools and directorates of Kathmandu University, including Prof. Dr. Bijay KC, Dean of the School of Management, and Prof. Dr. Manish Pokharel, Dean of the School of Engineering. The NPI delegation, led by Chair Dr. Dhakal, included Executive Board Members Gopi Mainali, Sharu Joshi Shrestha, and Samjhana Shrestha, along with NPI Experts Dr. Bikal Shrestha, Dr. Pralhad Karki, Advocate Bhupal Dhakal, and Sudhir Shrestha.
