Strengthening climate-resilient agriculture through curriculum revision of IAAS, Tribhuvan University

Organisers: ICIMOD and Tribhuvan University (TU)

About the workshop

ICIMOD, in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) of Tribhuvan University (TU), is organising a two-day workshop on curriculum revision under the Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), from 3-4 June 2025. The workshop will bring together faculty members, private sector representatives, and other key stakeholders to collaboratively explore ways to integrate climate-resilient agriculture into IAAS’s postgraduate programs.

This workshop supports ongoing efforts to enrich postgraduate programs at IAAS through collaborative curriculum development. It also aligns with Nepal’s Higher Education Policy 2019, which emphasises relevance, quality, and responsiveness in higher education, and contributes to broader national goals for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The workshop is supported by the United Kingdom International Development through its Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Objectives

The workshop is designed to achieve the following objectives:

• Support the revision of existing postgraduate curricula by incorporating contemporary scientific knowledge, technological advancements, and context-specific approaches to climate-resilient agriculture,
• Sensitise academic leaders, faculty members, and relevant stakeholders about the pressing impacts of climate change on agriculture and the essential role of higher education in addressing these challenges,
• Identify key entry points for embedding climate-resilient agriculture into existing academic programs and develop practical pathways for long-term integration and
• Facilitate consensus on the revised course structure, including core syllabus content, examination modalities, grading systems, and other key components required for the effective rollout of the revised postgraduate curriculum.

Background

TU and ICIMOD share a long-standing history of collaboration through expert exchanges, joint research initiatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms. As a founding member of the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC), hosted by ICIMOD, TU has played a key role in promoting academic engagement in sustainable development and resilience-building across the HKH region.

IAAS under the University is recognised as a leading institution for higher education in agriculture and animal sciences in Nepal. IAAS continues to champion an integrated approach to teaching, research, and extension education that aligns with national priorities and global trends. In today’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, academic institutions play a critical role in equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to address emerging challenges such as climate change, market dynamics, and technological innovation. Updating and refining academic curricula to reflect the latest scientific advancements and labor market needs is essential for building resilient food systems and sustainable livelihoods.

Since its inception, ICIMOD has been committed to advancing climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. By implementing research-driven initiatives with farmers at the center, we have generated actionable insights that inform sustainable agricultural practices. To ensure the long-term impact of these efforts, we have actively engaged with academic institutions to share evidence-based knowledge and support curriculum development. Notably, it has contributed to curriculum revisions at Mid-West University and Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal.

This initiative, which is part of HI-REAP, seeks to promote nature-positive, inclusive, and climate-resilient economies across the HKH region through multi-stakeholder engagement and institutional collaboration. This event will contribute to HI-REAP’s wider adoption of GESI-responsive NbS and improved capacity of government agencies, thinktanks and other key stakeholders in designing, integrating and implementing GESI-responsive NBS solutions.