KOICA Nepal & NTIC: Boosting Tech Innovation For Sustainable Development
15th June 2025, Kathmandu
The Nepal Technology Innovation Center (NTIC) at Kathmandu University today hosted Mr. Mooheon Kong, Country Director of KOICA Nepal, and a high-level delegation for an official tour, reaffirming a robust partnership aimed at accelerating technology innovation and sustainable development across Nepal.
KOICA Nepal & NTIC
The KOICA delegation, received by Prof. Dr. Bim Prasad Shrestha, Director of NTIC, explored cutting-edge laboratories and received briefings on projects poised to drive technological advancements. This visit underscores the partners’ shared commitment to empowering Nepalese communities through research-driven, sustainable solutions.
Strengthening a Proven Partnership for Sustainable Development
This face-to-face meeting builds upon an existing collaboration between KOICA and NTIC in capacity-building programs since NTIC’s inception. Both institutions are aligned in prioritizing initiatives that support Nepal’s green growth agenda, including renewable energy, smart agriculture, and clean-tech projects, directly contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The tour showcased NTIC’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its autonomous drone lab, biomedical device incubator, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) testbed. These core facilities are primed for expansion with KOICA’s technical support, promising to scale high-impact research and development (R&D).
Highlights of the Facility Tour
The delegation observed firsthand innovations with significant potential for national impact:
Renewable Energy & Micro-Grid Lab: Demonstrations included solar-hybrid micro-grids powering rural communities and real-time monitoring dashboards. These scalable blueprints are envisioned for replication in remote Himalayan villages with KOICA’s funding.
Smart Agriculture Innovation Hub: Researchers presented AI-enabled irrigation controls and low-cost soil-health sensors designed to boost yields and conserve water for Nepalese farmers. KOICA-backed pilot farms could facilitate nationwide commercialization.
Biomedical Prototyping Suite: The team reviewed affordable medical devices, such as portable ventilators and rapid diagnostics, co-developed with local hospitals. Aligning KOICA’s global health programs with NTIC prototypes can accelerate product certification and deployment.
Entrepreneurship & Co-Working Zone: Startup founders shared inspiring success stories of patent wins and seed-fund raises, highlighting the potential for KOICA mentorship and seed grants to scale home-grown innovators and create high-skilled jobs for Nepalese youth.
Quotes on Future Momentum
Mr. Mooheon Kong, Country Director of KOICA Nepal, stated, “NTIC’s multidisciplinary approach mirrors KOICA’s commitment to inclusive, technology-driven development. Our synergy will deliver tangible impact—from smart farms to sustainable energy—across Nepal.”
Prof. Dr. Bim Prasad Shrestha, Director of NTIC, added, “This visit renews our mission: translate cutting-edge research into community benefits. Together with KOICA, we can accelerate Nepal’s transformation into a regional innovation hub.”
Next Steps for the Partnership
The strengthened alliance will move forward with concrete action items:
Action Item Timeline Expected Impact
Draft joint MoU update outlining new R&D focus areas, Q3 202.5. Clear roadmap for co-funded projects
Launch KOICA-NTIC Innovation Challenge for startups, Q4 202,5 Seed funding for at least 10 tech ventures
Expand capacity-building workshops in renewable energy, 202.6 Train 500+ engineers and technicians
Integrate smart-agriculture pilots in three provinces 2026–2027 30% yield increase, 20% water savings
Publish annual impact report by the end of 2026, Transparent metrics, global visibility
Export to Sheets
This strategic partnership between KOICA Nepal and NTIC is set to deliver sustainable, tech-enabled solutions that will uplift communities and drive national progress. Stay tuned for joint innovation challenges, new pilot projects, and impactful success stories that will shape Nepal’s technology landscape in the years ahead.
Empowering innovation for sustainable development—NTIC and KOICA are building the future, today.
About KOICA Nepal:
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) Nepal is dedicated to promoting sustainable socio-economic development in Nepal through various development cooperation programs and projects.
About Nepal Technology Innovation Center (NTIC) at Kathmandu University:
The Nepal Technology Innovation Center (NTIC) at Kathmandu University is a leading R&D hub focused on developing and implementing innovative technological solutions for sustainable development in Nepal.
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