On 2 October, JSPS and Nepal JSPS Alumni Association (NJAA) held the 2nd Symposium “Infrastructure Development in Transport Sector in Nepal” and its General Assembly in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Hon. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, former Prime Minister was invited to the inaugural session as a guest of honor, and the following 7 distinguished guests also gave speeches after introduction of NJAA by Dr. Kundan Lal Shrestha, Secretary of NJAA;
-Mr. Hisashi Kato, Advisor for International Affairs and Director, JSPS Fellows Plaza, JSPS Tokyo Office
– Prof. Dr. Shuichi Hasegawa, Vice-Dean, Department of Safety Systems Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University
-Dr. Buddhi Ratna Khadge, Secretary of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)
-Mr. Jun Sakuma, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office
-Mr. Kiyohiko Hamada, First Secretary, Information and Culture, Embassy of Japan in Nepal
-Mr. Dhana Bahadur Tamang, Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Government of Nepal
-Dr. Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, the President of NJAA
Opening ceremony “Dignitaries on dais”
Mr. Kato delivered an address, referring to the huge earthquake which happened in Nepal in April of 2015 and that this year is 60th anniversary of diplomatic relation between Japan and Nepal. In addition, Hon. Dr. Baburam mentioned that Japan, which is one of economically advanced countries, was working on several kinds of issues in the field of natural disaster, and that Japanese experience and technique could be applied to Nepal. He added that education and research were also very important in this regard.
Other guests also expressed their opinion about importance of transport sector and infrastructure development in Nepal and collaboration with Japan in this field.
Mr. Hisashi Kato, JSPS Tokyo Office
Hon. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, former Prime Minister of Nepal
(front row, from left to right)Mr. Kato, Mr. Sakuma, Prof. Dr. Hasegawa, Dr. Rijan, Hon. Dr. Baburam, Mr. Dhana, Dr. Buddhi and Mr. Hamada, (back row)NJAA Executive members
In the Scientific Session, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Dahal, Vice President of NJAA, who got his PhD under supervision of Prof. Dr. Hasegawa, moderated.
First speaker, Prof. Dr. Hasegawa, who has visited Nepal for his research survey more than 20 times in the past, gave a lecture titled “Engineering geological issues in Nepal for infrastructure development” in terms of unique geology in Nepal. He introduced the geological common points between Himalaya and Japan, especially Shikoku, Japanese technique in tunneling and highway construction and a case of tunneling construction in Japan that had had some troubles because of high-pressure water flow. He also pointed out the problems in tunneling and highway development in Nepal and make a suggestion to solve them.
Prof. Dr. Hasegawa (left) and Dr. Rijan
Prof. Dr. Shuichi Hasegawa, Kagawa University
The second speaker, Mr. Sourab Rana, Associate Program Manager, JICA Nepal Office spoke on the themed “JICA’s Cooperation for Transport Infrastructure Development in Nepal”, in which he introduced past and future activities of JICA, followed by the third speaker, Dr. Sandip Shah, the President of Nepal Tunneling Association, spoke on themed “Tunneling in Nepal: challenges and prospects”.
Mr. Sourab Rana, JICA Nepal Office
Dr. Sandip Shah, Nepal Tunneling Association
And then, the last speaker, Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, Director of JSPS Bangkok Office introduced the overview of JSPS and JSPS international programs.
Prof. Kuniaki Yamashita, JSPS Bangkok Office
In addition, panel discussion was followed and attended by all speakers and Mr. Saroj Pradhan, Deputy Director General, Department of Road, Government of Nepal, and participants asked a wide range of questions to them.
Panel discussion
The symposium concluded in being vigorous, with more than 80 participants including graduate students and young researchers. Moreover, young researchers who wish to study in Japan asked a lot of questions during the reception as well, and we could interact with Nepalese researchers.
Group photo with NJAA members
Also, before the symposium we visited NAST with Mr. Kato and discussed future collaboration with JSPS, which has not yet concluded MoU with any agency in Nepal. JSPS side explained its international programs including bilateral program and programs for Nepalese young researchers, and Prof. Yamashita introduced collaboration between other JSPS alumni and its counterpart agency.
at NAST
