New partnership with Nepalese environmental specialists

The University’s Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT) signed a new agreement with Rupantaran Nepal, a not-for-profit organisation focused on forestry management, climate change and community development.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will involve identifying training opportunities in Nepal and south Asia and working together to develop joint bids for external funding.

In addition a new ‘Training and Advisory Unit’ will be established by the two organisations in the region.

The partnership agreement was signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer and Vijay Shrestha, Chair of Rupantaran Nepal, during a visit to India, Nepal and Bangladesh to raise the profile of the University, city and the Black Country.

Head of CIDT, Professor Philip Dearden, said:  “We have been working in Nepal for the past 30 years and we are delighted with this new MoU which reconfirms our commitment to continue working in Nepal which is one of the poorest countries in the world.”

The partnership will also see RN and CIDT work together to increase the effectiveness of natural resource and environmental programmes across the Himalayan/Mekong region.

Based at the Telford Innovation Campus, CIDT is a non-profit making centre within the University of Wolverhampton with a 40 year track record of facilitating people-centred, sustainable development across the globe.

It has been working in Nepal for 30 years now and with RN staff for over a decade, providing technical and capacity building services.

RN was established by a group of Nepalese development professionals and social activists with diverse experience in the forestry sector, social development, livelihoods, climate change and community development.

The University’s visit to India, Nepal and Bangladesh took place between 6 April and 13 April 2013.

The delegation was led by the University’s Chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer.

The visit aimed to raise the profile of the University, Wolverhampton and the wider Black Country region and involved meeting with education providers, representatives of Government, business and investment bodies and alumni of the University.

More information about Rupantaran Nepal is available at: http://www.rupantaran.org.np/

ENDS

Picture: Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer with Vijay Shrestha, Chair of Rupantaran Nepal

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736

Date Issued: Thursday, 18 April 2013