His Excellency Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to Nepal, Mr. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, accompanied by Mr. Mohammad Humayun Kabir, the First Secretary for Trade Promotion and Culture, paid a visit to Kathmandu University on April 1, 2024. The visit aimed at fostering closer ties and exploring avenues for collaboration between Bangladesh and Nepal, particularly in the realms of education, trade, and energy.

An interaction program was organized at Senate Hall, C.V Raman auditorium which was participated by the Bangladeshi alumni at Kathmandu University and senior university officials. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Achyut Wagle, Registrar of Kathmandu University, who highlighted the historical relations between Nepal and Bangladesh. Drawing attention to the potential in energy trade between Nepal and India, Dr. Wagle underscored the shared hydrological system and river ecosystem, as well as the common challenges posed by climate change. He emphasized the importance of collaborative research in addressing these challenges and leveraging mutual strengths.

Ambassador Chowdhury reflected on the enduring friendship between Nepal and Bangladesh, recalling the contributions made by Nepalese leaders during Bangladesh's war of liberation. He emphasized the steady relationship between the two nations and highlighted tourism and education as key pillars of bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Chowdhury announced Bangladesh's offer of scholarships in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and technical domains, to Nepalese students. He also discussed ongoing negotiations for preferential trading arrangements and highlighted the potential for energy trade between Nepal and Bangladesh.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University, provided a lighthearted take on the visit of the ambassador as a reunion of alumni, acknowledging the presence of faculty members who had graduated from Bangladeshi universities. Prof. Thapa expressed gratitude for Bangladesh's contributions to Nepal's academic landscape, noting the role of Bangladeshi institutions in providing education to Nepali students in the past. He also hailed the leadership taken by Bangladesh in revitalizing regional cooperation. Professor Thapa highlighted a recent milestone at Kathmandu University regarding Green Hydrogen. He noted that KU has installed Nepal's inaugural hydrogen refueling station, marking a significant advancement in the country's energy sector. Despite being in its early stages, Professor Thapa emphasized the immense potential for energy collaboration between Nepal and Bangladesh. He pointed out Bangladesh's extensive experience with natural gas, suggesting that this expertise could pave the way for fruitful collaboration in the future. He looked forward to further strengthening ties and exploring new opportunities for collaboration between Kathmandu University and institutions in Bangladesh citing the need for ‘Asia-Centric Education.’