Nepal Infrastructure 
KATHMANDU: A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed on Monday, regarding training programs aimed at developing skilled manpower for the operation and maintenance of hydropower projects. Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal Hydropower Academy (NHA), and Independent Energy Producers Association, Nepal (IPAN) signed the MoU for skill development training at the German Technical School in Dhunibensi, Dhading. Manas Ghimire, program manager of NHA, said that 15-day and three-month training programs will be organized for those who have experience in operating hydro and electromechanical equipment in hydropower projects. “Relevant students of KU can enroll for training at the academy, while other trainees will also be able to join KU for further studies,” said Ghimire. Similarly, under the MoU, IPAN will facilitate for ‘internship’ for those who have completed the training.
“We are going to conduct a training program by collecting resources from various countries in Europe with the aim of producing the necessary manpower for our country’s hydropower projects,” Ghimire further said. However, Ghimire said that materials imported from Europe meant for training are stuck in Calcutta Port for the last three weeks. Some of the training materials worth Rs 150 million have arrived at the training institute. The training institute was established in 2019 with the aim of producing the skilled manpower required for hydropower projects.
Nepal has been facing a scarcity of skilled human resources in the hydropower sector and is forced to hire foreign nationals for highly technical jobs. The shortage of such technical human resources will be gradually eased if such training programs are regularly organized.
