KOICA to spend USD 9 million to establish Gandaki Institute of Technology

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 4: Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Social Development Youth and Sports (MoSDYS) of Gandaki Province have signed the Record of Discussion (RoD) for the project "Infrastructure Development of Gandaki Institute Technology under the Gandaki Technical Education and Vocational Academy (GTEVTA) in Gandaki Province, Nepal."

Rajendradev Pandey, Secretary of MoSDYS and Mooheon Kong, Country Director of KOICA in Nepal signed the RoD in the presence of Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey on Friday, according to a press statement of KOICA. 

The Korean government through KOICA will spend USD 9 million for this project. The project will begin in 2025 and run for five years. The project will be implemented by KOICA and the GTEVTA. 

 Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Pandey concluded the groundbreaking ceremony of the GTEVTA building at Phedikhola.  

The main objective of the project is to produce competent workforces ready to meet the domestic and global needs of the 21st century by aligning with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy and the 15th National Plan. 

The project also aims to contribute to the economic growth of Nepal through the development of a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the construction industry. KOICA plans to construct a 4,630 m2 technical institute building, including a lecture, workshop, and female student dormitory building with necessary equipment, furniture and learning facilities. 

Similarly, KOICA will provide technical guidance and support for the development of the Master Plan of the technical institute identifying short-term training reflecting local needs, operational plan of the institute, career service package, and partnership with industry. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Pandey praised the bilateral collaboration between Nepal and South Korea. 

He expressed that the project would produce skilled and competent workforce needed to carry out Nepal's economic prosperity. 

Similarly, the Country Director of KOICA, Kong shared the project would create opportunities for youth, women and disadvantaged people to access quality technical education and to equip themselves with skills needed to enhance in today’s rapidly growing job market. He stated that KOICA has prioritised technical and vocational education in Nepal.  

Bindu Kumar Thapa, Minister of MoSDYS, said that the project would support in generating skilled and competent workforces inside the country, which would ultimately support in economic development of the country.