A delegation to Nepal President Maruyama Fujio

INTRODUCTION

WAKHOK is relatively a young university in Japan with a unique faculty Integrated Media. The university has set up the following goals in line with its vision.

・To expand academic collaborations and research activities in international level
・To develop WAKHOK as an multinational academic institute
・To help reduce the digital divide among the communities
・To establish WAKHOK as a leading IT institution with global perspective
・To contribute in developing competent IT professionals in the collaborating country

This report particularly covers the activities and achievement of the WAKHOK Presidential visit along with the team during 28 to 31 March, 2006 along with the counterpart suggestions and necessary action plan to be incorporated for proper implementation of the project. In many ways this visit is considered to be fruitful.The visit was focussed on the following pre agendas though many more discussion and issues were raised during the meetings held with the local counterparts.

・MoU Signing Ceremony between Himalayan White House College and WAKHOK
・Courtessy visit to affiliated colleges along with the top level authorities: Education Minister Radhakrishna Mainali, Minister Prakash Koirala, Minister Buddhi Raj Bajracharya, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal
・Establishment of WAKHOK-Nepal Contact Office and residence
・WAKHOK International conference in Nepal set up for mid July, 2006 in association with Computer Association of Nepal
・Participation/Presentation of Project Research in the CAN Infotech ・Introduction of WAKHOK and its Nepal activities by Asso. Prof. Ichinohe and Bishnu Prasad Gautam in one of the popular Japanese program in Nepal now; SchoolNet Japan Summer School Program.

SUMMARY

In view of the international approach of WAKHOK, President Prof. Maruyama Fujio reached Nepal on 28 March, 2006 while Asst. Prof. Ichinohe Shinya joined the team on 28 March. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Gautam had reached Nepal on 23rd March in order to make the pre arrangement there. Mr. Gautam also participated in the CAN International Conference where he presented his research done in WAKHOK. The short visit commenced on March 31 with the return of President to attend the new students ceremony in Wakkanai.

This scheduled visit to Nepal was finalized after a long preparation and continuous negotiation between International Department of WAKHOK and counterpart educational institutions of Nepal in accordance to the WAKHOK strategy to expand its relation with international education institutions and learning community. WAKHOK is heading towards a truly qualitative world-class university with a global vision. WAKHOK has established relationship with five different countries already and among them this visit was planned for Nepal with preset agendas. In view of the fact that WAKHOK had already established affiliation with two of the local colleges who also employ two of our students, further two colleges had planned final MoU signing ceremony during this visit. This visit was also important since the national computer association had organized an International level IT conference on the same schedule where there was representation from WAKHOK by which it became possible to meet with the leading IT educators, industries, government officials, and prospective students all under one roof helping us to build a strong rapport with them. Further, this visit became remarkable especially since it coincided with the 50th Anniversary of Nepal Japan friendship celebrations. It helped us to highlight our objectives and importance in this festive occasion.

WAKHOK has set up a contact office in Kathmandu to help in building strong international cooperation with Nepal and other countries in the region. This station shall serve as focal point not only for Nepal but also the other universities and colleges of that region. It will be a meeting center for WAKHOK deputed personnel and referral office for that region. Further, provision has been made for WAKHOK deputed personnel to reside there upon need.