13th August 2025, Kathmandu
Ncell Foundation, ICOM Nepal, and the Narayanhiti Palace Museum have jointly launched Sangrahalaya (The Museum), a research-based journal covering the fundamental principles of museums, international and national practices, and various aspects of history.
Ncell Foundation Partners ICOM Nepal
At an event organized at the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Kathmandu Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badriprasad Pandey, unveiled the journal.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Pandey highlighted the various dimensions of Nepal’s museums, describing the journal’s publication as an excellent initiative.
Minister Pandey praised Ncell Foundation’s support in the publication, noting it as a commendable example of private sector participation in cultural preservation and promotion.
He further stated that the government is currently working on policies for the registration, standards, and management of museums. According to him, Nepal’s museums and the artifacts they house have enhanced the pride of the country.
“Art and culture are our identities, and it is the duty of all to preserve them. We are delighted to collaborate with ICOM Nepal for this program under the public–private partnership model, to promote culture and heritage,” said Bishakha Laxmi Khadka, Corporate Communications and Sustainability Director of Ncell. She added that the preservation and promotion of Nepali art and cultural heritage is one of the priority areas of Ncell Foundation.
UNESCO Representative to Nepal, Jaco du Toit, remarked that museums in Nepal play an important role in cultural promotion, community dialogue, and education, while also emphasizing the need to further develop the museum culture.
Chairman of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Nepal, Ramesh Prasad Dawadi, stated that ICOM aims to broaden the scope of museums in Nepal and continue working for cultural preservation.
The journal was published under the one-year project ‘Promoting Culture and Heritage through Museums’, implemented by ICOM Nepal in partnership with the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, with support from Ncell Foundation.
The project’s main activities included raising public awareness about the importance of museums, providing training to museum professionals, and creating and disseminating museum-related resource materials.
Under the project, an informative booklet covering the fundamental principles and key aspects of international museum practices was prepared and distributed to museums and heritage-related institutions across the country.
According to President Dawadi, more than 100 museum professionals from Bagmati, Lumbini, and Gandaki provinces were trained on the fundamental principles and practices of museums.
The training was conducted in coordination with provincial, local, and federal government agencies, which helped bring together all three tiers of government, along with community and private museums to engage in discussions on essential museum topics. The training also covered international museum standards, Nepal’s specific needs, and the roles museums can and should play.
The project also produced a documentary, showcasing the history and journey of Nepal’s museums from the establishment of the first museum to the present day. The documentary includes both historical and contemporary perspectives of museums.
ICOM Nepal implemented the project in coordination with Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and in collaboration with local and provincial governments. Stakeholders believe that the initiative has contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nepal’s national policies on culture and museums, and the constitutional authority granted to local governments regarding museum operations.
The project, completed through the cooperation of the government, private sector, and local communities, has made a significant contribution to the preservation and promotion of museums and heritage in Nepal.
Participants at the event stressed the need to continue such impactful projects in the future. They also expressed that the partnership between Ncell Foundation and ICOM Nepal will inspire other private sector entities to engage in heritage preservation and promotion.
For more: Ncell Foundation Partners ICOM Nepal