Acting Dean of KU School of Arts, Associate Professor Ekku Maya Pun (left), and Kanak Mani Dixit, Chair of SIHP, signed an agreement to launch a Master’s degree program on Monday. (Photo: KU)
Kathmandu University (KU) and Southasia Institute for History and Philosophy (SIHP) on Monday signed an agreement to launch a Master’s degree program in History and Philosophy with a focus on Society, Technology, and Environment.
The agreement was inked by the Acting Dean of the KU School of Arts, Associate Professor Ekku Maya Pun and Kanak Mani Dixit, Chair of SIHP amidst a ceremony today.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, KU Vice Chancellor Professor Bhola Thapa highlighted the importance of quality social science instruction to fill a gap in Nepal’s higher education.
"The Institute’s program of instruction will be quickly institutionalized with the support of national and international partners, and the course offerings will attract students from other parts of Southasia as well," Thapa said.
Similarly, the Registrar at KU, Professor Achyut Wagle said it was important for higher education not only to produce well-trained professionals but also to graduate “committed citizens”, which is what the present collaboration sought to achieve.
Expressing his belief, Wagle said, "This cooperation will help generate an intellectualism that will benefit both Nepal and the Subcontinent as a whole."
Similarly, Acting Dean, Pun expressed enthusiasm that the collaboration sought to enhance humanities learning, which would help enrich the academic community as a whole.
She said, "The collaboration will provide students with curricula tailored to Himalayan and Southasian socio-ecological realities and aspirations, to produce competent and socially committed graduates."
Likewise, SIHP Chair, Dixit expressed gratitude to Kathmandu University for understanding the need to fill a significant gap in higher education, relating to the arts, social sciences and humanities.
"KU-SIHP’s Master's graduates will enrich a variety of fields from academia to state administration, law and justice, media, and a variety of professions," Dixit said adding, "Under the able guidance of noted historian Yogesh Raj, the Director of SIHP’s academic program, the instruction will be specifically tied to Nepal, the Himalayan region, and Southasia as a whole."
Today’s agreement follows an MOU signed between KU and SIHP on June 24, 2024. The Master’s program is planned to launch in February 2025.
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