KOICA, GKS alumni hold a networking meeting to strengthen collaboration

KATHMANDU, May 14: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Nepal Office, in collaboration with the KOICA Alumni Association Nepal (KAAN) and the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Alumni, organized a networking meeting aimed at strengthening professional collaboration and knowledge exchange among alumni communities.

According to a press statement issued by KOICA Nepal Office, the “KOICA KAAN Networking Meeting” brought together KOICA and GKS alumni, government officials, scholarship graduates, and representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal.

The event was attended by KOICA Nepal Office Country Director Mooheon Kong, Embassy of the Republic of Korea Secretary and Consul Lee Woojin, Economic and Development Specialist Oh Chaeyoon, GKS Alumni President Dr Ramakanta Lamichhane, and KAAN President Nabaraj Gautam, among others.

Speaking at the event, KAAN President Gautam and KOICA Nepal Office Country Director Kong emphasized the need for continued cooperation between KOICA and GKS alumni to contribute to Nepal’s development through professional expertise, leadership, and international collaboration, according to the statement.

During the program, KAAN Executive Committee Member Sunita Poudel presented the association’s planned activities for 2026, including future collaboration opportunities with GKS alumni and upcoming election plans.

Similarly, GKS Alumni President Lamichhane shared updates on the GKS alumni network and highlighted the growing involvement of GKS scholars in Nepal’s academic, governmental, and professional sectors.

The event also featured an experience-sharing session involving 2024 graduates and professionals, including Basudev Khanal, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Chandika Raghubansi from the National Women Commission, and Khem Raj Bhatt, Public Health Inspector at Suryabinayak Municipality.

According to KOICA, participants discussed ways to strengthen future cooperation between the KAAN and GKS alumni networks during an open-floor discussion session.

The event concluded with closing remarks by KAAN President Gautam, who thanked participants and organizers for their contributions to strengthening alumni cooperation.

KOICA stated that the meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both alumni networks to promoting professional growth, sustainable partnerships, and socio-economic development in Nepal through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

According to the statement, KOICA’s Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) program has been implemented since 1995 to support human resource development through short-term training, master’s and doctoral scholarships, and capacity-building initiatives. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully funded scholarship program supported by the South Korean government for international students pursuing higher education in South Korea.