Message from the Vice-Chancellor as Patron
Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa,
Vice-Chancellor, Kathmandu University
I am aware of the fact the University family and all stakeholders have genuine expectations from my leadership in the VC for the quality education and institutional development. This is both a pleasant challenge and an exciting opportunity for me. I am prepared to make optimum effort to meet expectations.
We shall work together in the spirit of a great family, and in pursuance of the Mission, Vision and Initiatives of the University. We shall continue to rise from the foundation laid by our predecessors and take our dear institution to greater heights in the national and international spheres.
I invite constructive and timely inputs from the University family, well-wishers, friends, collaborators and government bodies.
I will treasure the trust bestowed on me by the Offices of the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, Trustees, Founder, Colleagues, students and communities.
My heartfelt thanks for your best wishes.
Message from the Chairperson
Professor Dr. Janardhan Lamichhane,
Dean,School of Science
Chairman of IRDP/NTIC
It is my firm belief, experience and message to you all that the mission of Kathmandu University ‘quality education for leadership’ can only be achieved through research development and innovation. Research must be the nucleus of this mission which will add value to our teaching. A leading university is where faculty members do not only teach from text books but from their life time research experiences. To carry out effective research programs and projects, proper infrastructure is necessary. I believe under the umbrella of Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP), the Nepal Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) building in Dhulikhel Campus premises is going to offer ‘state of the art’ facilities in near future. This centre will contribute to the mobility of knowledge and dissemination from campus to the community.
Government of Nepal has been very supportive as an implementing agency. I extend highest appreciation to the Government of Republic of Korea in continuously extending support to Nepal through building of Kathmandu University in the areas of Agriculture and Rural Development, Renewable Energy, and Health Related Livelihood Sectors. Office bearers and staff both at KOICA headquarter and KOICA Nepal office, PMC in Korea such as STEPI and JBNU deserve special appreciation for the preparation of Master plan and pilot project administration and grant management.
Kathmandu University is fully committed to complete the project on time and utilization of the facilities at NTIC as per the master plan that has been agreed and endorsed by both the Governments.
Message from PI
Prof. Dr. Manish Pokharel, PhD
Dean, School of Engineering
Principal Investigator /Team leader for IRDP
The integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP) commenced in 2016 with the title tag ‘Integrated Rural Development of Nepal through Strengthening Research and Development Capacity of Kathmandu University’ with a broad vision to contribute for the integrated rural development of Nepal by strengthening research and development capacity of Kathmandu University and to promote technology innovation for improving quality of life and income status of people in rural communities of Nepal. IRDP has been conceived in order to develop rural technologies for development of Nepal. The project aims to provide services mainly in the field of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alternative and Renewable Energy, Health Related Livelihood and other sectors contributing to integrated rural development. IRDP beholds a multidisciplinary approach that focuses on development of new innovative ideas and making an impact in the real life scenario. IRDP follows a unique approach of ‘Taking Classroom from Campus to Community’ and ‘Learning through the Community’.
Different tiers have been envisioned for the functioning of IRDP among which Rural Technology Innovation Center (RTIC) is the first tier that bridges the gap between rural community and academia with Nepal Technology Innovation Center (NTIC) as a central hub. The research performed at the laboratory of the University penetrates the rural community of Nepal through our Pilot Projects. Our Pilot projects aim to support technology development to solve economic and social problems of rural areas in Nepal, develop a business model or commercialize for propagation of innovative technologies in a way that benefits rural communities as well as women empowerment and generate information that is crucial for future technological innovations for rural development. One of the major outcomes of IRDP is the establishment of Nepal Technology Innovation Center (NTIC) at Kathmandu University. As the role of IRDP is to bridge the gap between education and rural development whenever it arises, NTIC has the mission and vision that complements the objectives of the IRDP Project.
NTIC will contribute to realizing and achieving sustainable development goals through its activities. Research and development projects will be launched in years to come with the aim of creating innovative technology in Nepal. It is expected that challenging research and development activities will be promoted based on a more innovative and ambitious concept that transcends the enhancement of current technologies for rural development. To this end, we at NTIC will continue to make every effort to contribute to the community by providing opportunities to produce innovation through industry-academia-government collaboration and achieving results in a timely manner.
Message from CO-PI
Dr. Rajendra Gyawali, Associate Professor
Co-Principal Investigator, Nepal Technology Innovation Center
As professionals, we should be bothered not with the magnitude of the challenges we face but rather with the ignorance of the opportunities we have.
The past few decades in Nepal have seen major leaps in the field of education and research. However, one major missing link has been the linkages between academia, researchers, industries, policy-makers, communities and other stakeholders. The Nepal Technology Innovation Center aims to be a one-stop platform that brings together people from different backgrounds and sectors to foster research and innovation for an integrated rural development of Nepal. We will also facilitate the incubation and then scaling up of the innovations and discoveries that emerge out of this center.
The future of our society lies in our hands. It is critical for us to think differently and explore ways to help unleash the potential of all. The traditional approaches to educational and research pursuits need to be revisited and opened up so that universities can permeate every nook and crannies of the society.
We thank KOICA, Kathmandu University family, and all our well-wishers for helping us lay the foundation of this outstanding endeavor; and we call upon everyone to come onboard in this journey where knowledge meets application; education meets enlightenment; innovation meets implementation, and technology meets transformation.
Let us create a model of success that will be looked upon by all as a site of pilgrimage for development enthusiasts.