Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is going to assist with the infrastructure of technical schools in Gandaki province. The Country Director of KOICA Nepal, Sunghoon Ko, made this commitment on Thursday with the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel.
Gandaki Province Government is running Gandaki Technical Education and Vocational Training Institute (GIT) through Gandaki Technical Education and Vocational Training Institute. For this, the Government of Nepal has already provided 160 acres of land in Gurdhum located in Fedikhola rural municipality 1 of Syangja. The government of Gandaki established the establishment with the aim of producing the skilled manpower needed in the province and engaging the youth in employment.
In that meeting, Chief Minister Pokharel expressed his gratitude for showing interest in technical education in Gandaki, saying that Nepal has an old relationship with South Korea. He informed that such an establishment was envisaged as technical education is indispensable for creating jobs for the youth in the country. He said that the interest shown by South Korea in realizing the vision of the government is commendable.
Sunghoon Ko, country director of KOICA Nepal, said that the Korean government is willing to invest in the tourist city of Pokhara. He said, our main concern is how we can help the youth of Gandaki province through technical education to engage them in employment. Recalling that in the beginning, European countries taught technical skills in Korea, and from that foundation, they reached the present situation, he said that they are going to support Gandaki province accordingly.
He said that he was very impressed with the initial proposal of the project put forward by the Gandaki Province government. He said that sustainability is an important aspect of the project to be invested by the Korean government.
At the end of this year, after sending the project proposal to KOICA's headquarters, he informed that a team will come from Korea for the preliminary study. An expert team of four to five people will meet with all parties and study. He also said that if the initial study is satisfied, another study will not be necessary and the project will be implemented immediately. He claims that the project will be more effective because Korea will focus more on technical support than just cash grants.
Somnath Sapkota, Executive Director of Gandaki Technical Education and Vocational Training Institute of Gandaki Province Government gave detailed information about the project. He said that the government expects support in infrastructure to conduct training according to the projection of manpower required for the province. The provincial education policy also envisages that all types of technical education and training conducted within the province should be under this organization.
KOICA is also working for the waste management of Pokhara. Cooperation has been done with UNDP and other donor agencies, especially for the management of non-biodegradable waste. The Korean government has also paid special attention to making Pokhara's public transport system organized.
Minister of Education, Culture, Science, Technology and Social Development Mekhlal Shrestha, Vice Chairman of Policy and Planning Commission Dr. Raghuraj Kafle, Principal Secretary Ravilal Panth, Secretary of Chief Minister and Cabinet Office Ram Prasad Acharya, and others participated in the meeting at the Chief Minister and Cabinet Office.
Gandaki Pradesh