An interaction program with the Honorary Consul Mr. Rajendra Khetan was held on September 16, 2021 at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel. Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Registrar Prof. Dr. Subodh Sharma, Dean of School of Engineering Prof. Dr. Manish Pokhrel, Director of Research Development and Innovation Prof. Dr. Dipak Subedi, Director of Coordination and Communication Division of the Office of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, Advisor to Community Engagement Division of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bal Chandra Luitel, Associate Director of the Global Engagement Division of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel, Finance Division Chief Mr. Kumar Baral, Management Services Division Chief Mr. Nabendra Poudel, Chief of Human Resource Division Mrs. Jyoti Pradhan, Information and Library Division Chief Mr. Shekhar Dungana, Manager of the Office of the Registrar Mr. Mahendra Niroula, Officer of Global Engagement Division Ms. Ambika Thapa, Ms. Marina KC and others were present in the program from the university whereas Honorary Consul Mr. Rajendra Khetan, Investment curator of Private Equity Dr. Manish Thapa, Chartered Accountant Mr. Aashish Dhakal, and Chief Finance Officer of Laxmi Bank Mr. Piyush Aryal attended the event.
KU officials highlighted the University’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, endowment fund drive, and stated that these initiates should be shared to not only to the student communities globally but also to the diplomats and business communities within Nepal.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Thapa emphasized the need for such an interaction to learn how to present us (Kathmandu University) before international communities and diplomats. According to him, it is time to connect with KU’s own alumni and Non-Residential Nepali (NRN) as they are in search of the institution to teach their children within Nepal. Honorary Consul Mr. Khetan seconded the issue discussed in the event, especially KU’s dream to be the hub of international students, and stated that it is high time for KU to recognize and assert its potential. He highlighted the need to link university research to industrial communities and suggested KU offer its guardianship to other Nepal-based colleges and higher education institutes affiliated with foreign universities.
Both the teams agreed to identify research scopes so that there is a framework to move ahead for future collaboration. Engaging NRNs with Kathmandu University to strengthen its academic excellence, exploring possible collaboration in the fields of industries, intellectual property rights, popularizing the endowment fund drive of Kathmandu University were major themes discussed.