Two Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) institutes signed a memorandum of understanding with Tribhuvan University (TU) of Nepal on April 7 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The MOU calls for scientific cooperation in the areas of climate change, biodiversity protection and natural hazard management in the two countries. 

The participating CAS units are the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research based in Beijing and the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment based in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. 

A Memorandum of Understanding is signed between ITP, CAS and TU, represented by Prof. Yao Tandong, Director of ITP, and Prof. Dr. Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Vice-Chancellor of TU. (Image by ITP,CAS.)

Prof. BAI Chunli, president of CAS, attended the signing ceremony and delivered a speech. He said China is willing to work with Nepal to help develop science and technology in the country. He also noted that dozens of scientists and students from Nepal are now working and studying at CAS. He pointed out that both sides should take advantage of various platforms, such as CAS’s Third Pole Environment (TPE) program, in order to strengthen scientific collaboration. 

Launched by CAS, the TPE program is dedicated to the study of the environment of the “Third Pole,” a region centered on the Tibetan Plateau that affects surrounding countries and regions. The TPE program aims to encourage research on the “water-ice-air-ecosystem-human” interactions in the region. The program’s goal is to understand environmental change processes and their influence on global change, especially monsoon systems. With such understanding, humans can enhance their adaptation to environmental change and increase harmony with nature.  

Prof. Dr. Hira Bahadur Maharjan, vice-Chancellor of TU, said the negative effects of global warming don't have borders and Nepal—with its fragile ecological environment—urgently needs to cooperate with international organizations such as CAS. 

After signing the MOU, a ceremony was held to launch the TPE Kathmandu Center. The center was jointly built by CAS and TU. 

Mr. Sushil Koirala, premier of Nepal, met with Prof. BAI Chunli and the CAS delegation during their visit.