On occasion of the CAS President BAI Chunli’s visit to Tribhuvan University on April 7, 2014, the TPE program formally launched its center in Kathmandu. The center was established to assist with international scientific collaboration in the region.

Both the TU Vice Chancellor and the CAS President presided over the inauguration ceremony of the TPE Kathmandu center. TPE Kathmandu Center acting director Prof. LIANG Eryuan (ITP) briefed the delegates from both CAS and TU on the academic background for the TPE to establish its Kathmandu center, and introduced major activities and contributions TPE has made to the scientific and technological development in Nepal. For example, the center has already contributed to TPE development through educational programs, database construction, and international research publications. The formal launch of the center will further boost TPE contributions to education and research in Nepal, the southern Himalayas, and beyond.

The center is currently located within the TU Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, with Prof. YAO Tandong of ITP and Prof. Lochan Devkota of TU Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology as academic co-directors. Prof. Liang and TU Associate Professor Tek Bahadur Chhetri are the acting co-directors in charge of the daily operation of the TPE Kathmandu Center. Both TU and CAS will provide additional support for facilities and ongoing programs at the TPE Katmandu Center.

Inauguration of TPE center