8 November 2016

Kathmandu University (KU) and Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Nepal signed a joint declaration to launch  "Integrated Rural Development of Nepal through Strengthening Research and Development Capacity of Kathmandu University (KU-IRDP). Prof. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Vice Chancellor of KU, and Dr. Hyungkyoo Kim, KOICA Country Director for Nepal, signed the Declaration, on behalf of the respective institutions. 

The main objective of the project is to to (i) contribute to strengthening research and development capacity of Nepal by establishing R & D platform in KU and, (ii) promote technology innovation for improving the quality of life and income status of the people of rural communities in Nepal. KU, Dhulikhel, will remain the main site of the project.

The Korean Government will provide a grant aid of no more than eleven billion and four hundred million Korean Won (equivalent to ten million US Dollars). The implementing agencies are KU on behalf of the Government of Nepal, and KOICA on behalf of the Republic of Korea.

This declaration is to start the full-fledged implementation of the project by the 1st quarter of 2017. The declaration will be followed by the Record of Discussion (RoD) between KU and KOICA and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Republic of Korea and the Government of Nepal.

The signing was held in CV Raman Auditorium, KU Dhulikhel, in a meeting attended by KU officials and the representatives of KOICA Nepal.