KATHMANDU, Feb 2: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has continued to strengthen human resource development in Nepal through Master’s and Doctoral scholarship programs and capacity-building training initiatives, KOICA said in a press release.
In collaboration with the KOICA Alumni Association of Nepal (KAAN), KOICA organized a Departure Orientation Program for the 2025 Part II (January Intake) group of scholarship recipients on January 29, 2026, at the KOICA Nepal Office, the press release said.
The orientation aimed to facilitate experience sharing among awardees and provide essential information on academic programs, host universities in South Korea, Korean culture, departure procedures, and other practical aspects of studying abroad. Addressing the program, Deputy Country Director of the KOICA Nepal Office, Choong Hee Choi, congratulated the scholars and shared insights to help them prepare for their academic and social life in Korea, the press release stated.
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According to KOICA, a total of 175 government officials have completed Master’s degree programs under KOICA’s Scholarship Program so far, with many receiving recognition for their academic performance. In the current academic year, eight government officials have been awarded KOICA scholarships for the August and January intakes. Among them, two have been selected for PhD programs in e-Government and Public Management, while six will pursue Master’s degrees in various disciplines.
In addition to long-term academic programs, KOICA has also been implementing short-term, country-specific capacity-building programs. The press release noted that in 2025, 75 government officials from different ministries and departments participated in such programs. These included officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Ministry of Health and Population; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development; and Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
According to the press release, the training programs focused on strengthening health emergency coordination systems, enhancing e-learning skills of TVET instructors, improving post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables, and developing impact-based early flood warning systems. All programs were formally requested by the Government of Nepal and implemented with KOICA’s technical support.
KOICA has been implementing the Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) program since 1995 as a key component of its development cooperation efforts. The program focuses on human resource development through short-term training and long-term academic scholarships, aiming to enhance institutional capacity by sharing South Korea’s development experience, expertise, and technology, the press release added.
