October 19: Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) has been selected for the “WTO Chairs Program (WCP)”. Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi officially launched the programme in Nepal on Monday, October 17.

The WTO Chairs Programme aims to support and promote trade-related academic activities by universities and research institutions in developing and least-developed countries.

The WTO Chairs Programme has been providing financial and technical assistance to educational institutions in developing countries to facilitate the participation of the members of the World Trade Organization in the multilateral trading system.

Through this programme, the concerned countries aim to increase the knowledge of international trade, law and economics.

Prof. Dr. Achyut Wagle, co-chairman of WCP Nepal and registrar of Kathmandu University said that it is a matter of pride to bring such a programme to Nepal. He informed that the WCP will be operated for the next four years (2022-2026) through KUSOM focusing mainly on three tasks; curriculum development and teaching, research and capacity building.

Curriculum Development Courses related to international trade will be developed at various levels. Towards research, there will be study/research related to business. In addition, KUSOM informed that awareness programs will be conducted in international conferences under the training program for capacity building.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba as well sent his message to KUSOM expressing hope that the programme in Nepal would help in formulating the trade and investment policy for Nepal. He said that the programme will help improve the major obstacles that Nepal faces in international trade especially in the field of supply.

Xiangchen Zhang, the Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization said that such a network will help in promoting exchange of ideas and knowledge. Chief Secretary Bairagi stated that WCP will help to create new ideas in the field of business through education and research. He also provided assurance regarding the support from the government for the success of this programme.