MSc Programme in Glaciology at Kathmandu University

A two-year MS by Research in Glaciology programme at the Kathmandu University produces young professionals with interdisciplinary skills and capacities in glaciology. Twenty-three students have graduated from the programme since it was instituted in 2011. All graduates are currently either employed or are pursuing higher studies.

Scholarships for MSc Students

The Cryosphere Monitoring Programme (CMP) also provides scholarships to students enrolled in the MS by Research in Glaciology programme coordinated by Rijan Kayastha at Kathmandu University. The programme is hosted by the Himalayan Cryosphere, Climate and Disaster Research Center (HiCCDRC), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering of the university. CMP provides scholarship fund support to four students annually. Students with a four‐year Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Hydrometeorology, Geosciences or Geography, or an equivalent Natural Sciences or Technical Sciences subject are eligible to apply.

Rijan Bhakta Kayastha (PhD), coordinator for MS by Research programme (KU) second from right, and Anna Sinisalo (PhD), Programme Manager, Cryosphere Initiative, ICIMOD, with the current batch of MS by research students at KU

Thematic Training Courses

Thematic training courses build the capacities of regional partners on various aspect of cryosphere monitoring:

Training on the Application of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems for the Mapping and Monitoring of Glaciers
(20 Mar 2017 – 24 Mar 2017, Conference Hall, ICIMOD)
Training Course on Field Techniques and Data Tools for Monitoring Permafrost
(23 Oct 2016 – 24 Oct 2016, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal)
Theoretical Training on Glacier Mass Balance Monitoring, Kathmandu, Nepal
(25 Oct 2016 – 28 Oct 2016, ICIMOD)
Training on High Altitude Mountain Medicine
(15 Jan 2016 – 16 Jan 2016, Conference Hall, ICIMOD)
Training on Application of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems for Mapping and Monitoring of Glaciers.
(18 Jan 2016 – 22 Jan 2016, Conference Hall, ICIMOD)

A total of 373 participants from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India have participated in training courses organized by the Cryosphere Initiative so far.

Students learn basic mountaineer skills from mountaineering guide Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa during a theoretical training at ICIMOD.

On-the-job Training for Professionals from the Region

The initiative also provides on-the-job training for staff from implementing partners. Such trainings are provided on a need basis on specific themes and skills.

Building Capacity on Database Management in Bhutan, 03 Jul 2017
Pema Namgyal from the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Bhutan, completed a two-week long on-the-job training on database and system management at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. Namgyal worked alongside cryosphere and remote sensing experts from 15–26 May 2017. READ MORE

Master Programme Thesis, 06 Feb 2015
The Cryosphere Initiative successfully supported a three month professional exchange programme and supervised glacier-related master thesis research. The research was conducted entirely at ICIMOD and was completed in six months. READ MORE

Professional Exchange Programme, 06 Feb 2015
The Cryosphere Initiative successfully supported a three month professional exchange programme and supervised glacier-related master thesis research. The research was conducted entirely at ICIMOD and was completed in six months. READ MORE

Production of Handbooks and Manuals for Independent Work

Developing training manuals and material is a part of capacity building component to tap potential training of the trainers in the future and as resources for students. These materials are distributed among students and are made available on the himal doc.

Resources