Uni hosts senior visitor from Nepal, hopes to forge new links
Published on 19 May, 2011
CQUniversity already has projects aligned with Nepal and an active community of Nepalese students and researchers, so it was keen to welcome Hon Member Ram Kumar Sharma of that country's National Planning Commission to Rockhampton Campus this week.
Mr Sharma met with the Vice-Chancellor and senior research centre representatives, as well as staff and students from Nepal.
Professor Kerry Walsh, from Plant and Water Science, said the visit was a great opportunity to introduce the strengths of CQUniversity.
"There are prospects of developing a closer working relationship between the Government of Nepal and the University," he said.
Professor Walsh said AusAid has recently increased its funding allocation to Nepal for projects and postgraduate training, and Mr Sharma has been visiting Australia to explore relevant areas of interaction.
He was convinced to make a last-minute additional visit to CQUniversity, thanks to local Nepalese networks.
"The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Health has had research and development work aligned with Nepal for more than a decade in the form of an informal working relationship between Nepal and CQUniversity, starting with the Centre for Plant and Water Science (CPWS)," Professor Walsh said.
"Other research and education centres such as the Centre for Professional Health Education, Centre for Environmental Management, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and School of Engineering and Built Environment are involved in Nepalese research and development activities.
"Various Nepalese government officials have visited CQUniversity through the Crawford Foundation Program, AusAid HDR scholarships and other programs. Nursing send staff and students on experience programs to Nepal.
"This has been an opportunity to make the Nepalese National Planning Commission aware of CQUniversity."
