An interaction program with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Zambia to Nepal Er. Desh Bandhu Basnet (Ajit) was held on 10 September 10 2021 at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel.
Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Dean of School of Sciences Prof. Dr. Kanaiya Jha, Dean of School of Engineering Prof. Dr. Manish Pokhrel, Director of Research Development and Innovation Prof. Dr. Dipak Subedi, Director of Coordinator Division of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Prof. Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, Advisor to Community Engagement of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bal Chandra Luitel, Associate Dean of School of Engineering Mr. Brijesh Adhikary, Associate Director of the Global Engagement Division of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel, Prof. Dr. Bhupendra Bimal Chettri and others were present in the program from the university whereas Honorary Consul Er. Desh Bandhu Basnet (Ajit) and Mr. Parbat Karki represented it from the Consulate of the Republic of Zambia to Nepal.
The interaction, which began with a short presentation by Mr. Brijesh Adhikary, reviewed the past and explored the possible future collaboration between Zambia and Kathmandu University. Adhikari’s presentation stated that Nepal has a high potential to be the educational hub not only for Zambia but also for African students. As there are already 19 Kathmandu University graduates working in the different sectors in Zambia, the participants suggested mobilizing them to be ambassadors to popularize KU in the region. Officials highlighted KU’s new policies i.e. decision to promote enrollment of foreign students in all disciplines with 10 percent seat reservation, provision to offer fee waiver and local accommodation to those foreign students who work under KU’ Professors and Associate Professors as Research Fellow, and stated that these initiates should be shared to student communities within Zambia and Africa to attract more students to Nepal.
Both the teams agreed to identifying common interests and formulating a framework to move ahead for future collaboration. Engaging NRNs with Kathmandu University to strengthen its academic excellence, creating an environment to learn each other in the technical and vocational education between Zambian universities and KU, exploring possible collaboration in the fields of mining, energy sector, and technology transfer were major themes discussed. Other areas discussed in the program were university-level collaboration in research activities, faculty and student exchange programs and so on.
