The government of the Republic of Korea- one of Nepal¡¯s major development partners, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will support to establish the Korea-Nepal Institute of Technology (KNIT) in Butwal-14, Rupendehi District, Nepal.

Korean Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Mr. Nam Sang-Jung and Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Rameshwor Prasad Khanal signed the MOU for the Project worth US$5 million, today, September 5, 2008, at the Ministry of Finance.

In the Signing Ceremony, H.E. Mr. Nam Sang-Jung stressed that through this project Korean Government will impart education and training to produce better qualified technicians who can contribute to the industrial development of Nepal as well as bringing useful opportunities to Nepalese workers who want to work in international labor markets through learning advanced skills.

Ambassador Nam also expressed his hope that this institute will be established as one of the core centers of advanced vocational training in Nepal and peace building and economic development will get achieved in the course of time.

Ambassador Nam Sang-Jung is winding up his Nepal tenure and is leaving for his home country September 10, 2008.

Ambassador Nam Sang-Jung will be replaced soon by Seung Mok Hong.
 

Ambassador designate Mr. Hong is currently in the Philippines.

Giving the details of the project Ki-Jeong SONG, KOICA Deputy Representative in Nepal talking exclusively to the Telegraphnepal.com said that ¡°according to the MoU reached between KOICA and the Nepal Government, KOICA will support the construction of the ¡°Institute¡± and provide equipment and educational materials necessary for vocational training¡±.

¡°In addition, we will also support capacity building in the vocational education field of Nepal through training programs in Korea and the dispatch of advisors for institute management as well as training teachers three trades including Mechanic, Automobile and Electronics as a diploma course and short term courses as well¡±, he continued.

 ¡°The project construction period is set for 2008 to 2011¡¦by the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year 2011, the KNIT will be fully operation¡¦we are currently on the architectural design part after completing the feasibility study¡±, said Mr. Song.

¡°The project aims at enhancing and upgrading the quality of technical education and vocational training in Nepal¡±, Mr. Jeong said.