On 15 November 2021, Kathmandu University organized the EATHEN Project dissemination meeting with the Ambassador of Finland, His Excellency Mr. Pertti Anttinen and the officials from the Finnish Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. EATHEN (Equitable access to higher education for students with disabilities and students from marginalized groups in Nepal) is a structural project funded by the European Union Erasmus+ program led by Dr. Maija Makinen at JAMK University, Finland and Prof. Dr. Bim Prasad Shrestha at Kathmandu University, Nepal. The aim of the project is to improve management of universities to enhance equity in access to and in support during the academic careers in Higher Educations.

The event mainly discussed the progress shared by the partner institutions in Nepal and the way forward for the next phase of activities. Presentations on the respective institutional project progress were made by Prof Dr. Arbinda Bhomi from Tribhuvan University, Dr. Ruma Manandhar from Nepal Open University and Mr. Suman Dhun Shrestha from Kathmandu University. Prof Dr. Bim Prasad Shrestha presented and discussed the next phase of activities along with possible collaboration with the Finland Embassy in Nepal.

From the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Joint Secretary, Dr. Tulasi Thapaliya shared the role and support of MoEST to the partner Universities in Nepal. He suggested for the next phase of the program to have the activities that will allow the students from marginalized communities and students with disabilities direct access to university education and create an effective learning environment.

His Excellency Mr. Pertti Anttinen shared about the development activities supported by the Embassy of Finland and expressed further collaboration possibilities with the Universities in Nepal. Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel, Associate Director of the Global Engagement Division, Office of the Vice-Chancellor at KU delivered the closing remarks and the Vote of Thanks to all participants.

Further information about the project: https://www.jamk.fi/en/Research-and-Development/RDI-Projects/eathen/home/