UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre of Development Studies and Regional Cooperation (UMCDSRC)

Since the 26 October 2010, Mme Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General announced that the 12 SAF Institutions of Excellence will be able to use UNESCO logo and named UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutions of Excellence.
Principal: Mr. Madhav Neupane
Director: Mr. Krishna Amgain

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between:The South Asia Foundation (SAF), and the National College, Kathmandu University on the Establishment of the UNESCO Madanjeet Centre of Development Studies and Regional Cooperation (UMCDSRC)

Establishment of the Centre

 With the aim of furthering the SAF’s cardinal objective of promoting regional cooperation by creating greater opportunities for interaction among students, teachers, scholars and practitioners from South Asian countries, UNESCO Madanjeet Centre of Development Studies and Regional Cooperation (UMCDSRC), hereinafter referred to as “Centre” based in Kathmandu, Nepal will offer at least eight (8) fully paid Madanjeet Singh Group scholarships for a bachelor level course on development studies and regional cooperation. The scholarship includes travel, board, lodging and tuition fees, to South Asian students, based on gender equality. These students will be one from each of the eight SAARC countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

 2. Objectives of the Centre

 UMCDSRC shall invite students from all the eight countries of SAARC for a four year bachelor level course on development studies and regional cooperation. This will be taught in coordination with the National College, Kathmandu University and certificates will be given to the students from the University at the successful completion of the course. Major subjects to be taught are concepts and theories of development, economics, good governance, resource and environmental management and regional cooperation in South Asia. Providing knowledge and skills from such inter-disciplinary range of subjects will help in producing able and proficient skilled human capital with practical knowledge and understanding of our region and further the objectives and vision of SAF. The Centre will also periodically organize conferences and seminars where the students will be required to present papers and discuss pressing problems that plague their own societies. A strong focus will be on practical training, field visits, developing leadership qualities and cultivate interdisciplinary knowledge and skills of development.

A multi-dimensional approach such as this shall create a hub of scholars that specialize in the area of development studies on one hand and in depth understanding and skills for promoting regional cooperation, poverty alleviation, peace and development in South Asia on the other. It will be a course of an international standard with the students able to use their certificates anywhere in the world for furthering their studies or applying for jobs.

Available Seats:- 8 scholarships for a 4 year course on “Bachelors in Development Studies and Regional Cooperation”. It is being implemented through the National College, Kathmandu University.
 
Commencement:- The courses begins on August 18th every year. The name and scanned versions of academic transcripts of the successful SAF scholar must be sent to SAF-Nepal by August. 1st. Selection has to be forwarded by SAF chapters in each country.
 
Eligibility: One student (either male or female) from each of the 8 SAARC countries. It is a fully covered scholarship program under a prestigious college of Nepal. The student must have a minimum 45% in the aggregate in 10+2 (Higher Secondary Level) or equivalent in any stream or at least grade D in three subjects besides the general paper in Advance Level.
 
Facilities: The selected student’s airfare, accommodation, food, and fees are covered under the Madanjeet Singh scholarships.
 
Contact: Dr. Nishchal N. Pandey  or Mr. Krishna Amgain