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The Centre for International Relations (CIR) was formed within the structure of Tribhuvan University in April 1998 with the objective to nurture reciprocated understanding between TU and other academic institutions across the sphere. Tribhuvan University has been significantly contributing to the promotion of academic education in the country from the very beginning of its establishment i.e. since 1959, as a public university. In recent years, it has been determined to move towards observation and research-based university for the fulfillment of the determination of transforming it instead of orchestrating with the traditional path of teaching activities ensuring the holistic education system TU has planned to build up its academic and research-related relationships with the leading universities and the institutions of the world.
Tribhuvan University, to cater to the need of the modern-day requirements of education, knowledge, and skill and to significantly contribute the society – locally, nationally and internationally has moved on the path of the exchange of ideas and international cooperation. This includes supporting mobility across the globe to our faculty and students through various scholarship schemes like Erasmus and other means and supporting international research collaborations on the basis of academic interest and needs assessment. We are doing our best through our extensive and ever-expanding global links to serve the above-mentioned principles.
A foremost strategic goal of the Centre is to uphold international interaction and collaboration with universities all over the world to upsurge academic quality and execution of its academic and research-based activities in priority areas. The major activities of the Centre include the exchange of ideas and talents to build collaborative relationships with worldwide educational communities. It seeks to construct and grow academic institutions by establishing reciprocated relationships with several universities, educational institutions and international organizations for the promotion and dissemination of academic accomplishments.
Objectives of the Centre:
The collaboration of the TU with universities and higher education institutions throughout the world is ongoing. By means of its institutes/Faculties, Research Centers, Departments and Campuses TU has been carrying out different projects in collaboration with universities and higher education institutions. The collaboration includes academic programs student/staff mobility, conferences/seminars, joint publications, and research projects under the facilitation of the Centre. The Centre has been coordinating and facilitating the following activities:
International Students:
The international students who come to TU are of three categories: (i) Students who want to enroll on their own, (ii) Students sponsored by different educational institutions, and (iii) Students comes as a part of exchange programs under bilateral/multilateral agreements signed between TU and their home universities or institutions. The Centre provides required counselling and assistance to the international students. TU has established a credit transfer policy that would allow students to earn credits as well. If this policy is successful, TU might become a desirable educational Centre in the South Asian region. Currently, international students are enrolled in courses in International languages (25), engineering (15), humanities and social sciences (7) science and technology (7), and medical sciences (456). Despite this, the Campus of International Language has 200 non-degree international students, attending international language classes.
International Researchers:
Nepal is an ideal site because of its rich geographical, socio-cultural, and linguistic diversity. The ideal size of the international students is drawn to Tribhuvan University to conduct their research and study every year. A considerable number of researchers come to take normal courses as a part of their university’s partial fulfilment. Similarly, researchers for degrees and non-degrees come to TU to instigate research. In the previous year, 97 overseas researchers enrolled for both degree and non-degree research, and approximately 37 have enrolled for research for this year.
The number of international researchers has been severely reduced in the years 2020 – 2021 due to the COVID – 19 Pandemic. In recent months, many of those researchers who are formerly connected with TU have returned and resumed their research activities. In addition, a large number of international researchers are interested in affiliating with TU for the following year. They study in a variety of fields, including socio-economic study, language, religion, culture, ethnicity, economics, geography, environmental issues, rural development, health and medicine, and engineering.
MOUs
Tribhuvan University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with 167 universities of different countries including Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and North America. Namely, Kyoto University, and the Hokkaido University of Japan, the University of Salzburg - Austria, the University of Dhaka - Bangladesh, Jawaharlal University and Delhi University of India, Chinese Academy of Sciences - China, University of Heidelberg - Germany, the University of Denmark, University of Padova - Italy, Leiden University - Netherland, University of Bargen – Oslo - Norway, University of Colorado - USA. University Reading and the Bath University of UK, Singapore’s Management University – Singapore, and the University of Aveiro - Portugal, Vilnius University – Lithuania, University of Warsaw - Poland are among the world-class universities with which TU has signed a memorandum of understanding.
Strategies
The CIR has planned a few short-term plans for Tribhuvan University’s internationalization, including the construction of a two-story dormitory for international students in the University Campus, Kirtipur. Similarly, in January 2021, The CIR drafted By-law to govern and standardize the research activities of international researchers. In addition, plans are in the works to offer summer or winter courses to attract short-term foreign students, stimulate research cooperation among the faculties of the institution, and acceleration of the mobility and exchange of the students/staff/ teaching faculty. The CIR has made the policy to monitor the collaborative activities with the universities and the institutions with whom TU has signed MOUs.
Associate Prof. Binod Joshi
Executive Director
Centre for International Relations,
Tribhuvan University,
Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, PO Box 8212,
Phone: 977 – 1 – 4330840 (Office)
Email: director.cir@tu.edu.np;binod.joshi@tu.edu.np, info.cir@tu.edu.np
Website: www.tucir.edu.np
