ICIMOD transfers Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) Secretariat to Kathmandu University

Kathmandu, 10 December 2025 – The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC), a collaborative network of over 100 universities and academic institutions from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and beyond, has been helping to strengthen research and scholarship on mountain-focused development challenges since its inception in 2007.

Originally hosted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the HUC Secretariat was formally transferred to Kathmandu University (KU) following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a ceremony on 10 December 2025 at ICIMOD Headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal.

“It is truly a proud and heartening moment to see Kathmandu University take on the responsibility of hosting the Himalayan University Consortium, said Eklabya Sharma, former Deputy Director General of ICIMOD and former Steering Committee Member of HUC. “Looking ahead, HUC’s strength and impact lie in deepening regional collaboration in research, education, capacity development, and the co-generation and dissemination of knowledge. Such collective efforts will play a vital role in informing policies and practices for sustainable mountain development across the region.”

This transition marks an important step, realising HUC’s long-envisioned role as an independent, regionally rooted, and academically driven consortium. The handover to a homegrown university aims to ensure autonomy and independence.

“For more than seventeen years, ICIMOD has nurtured this network, ensuring it had the support, stability, and visibility required to grow. We on ICIMOD’s Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) also believe – strongly and unanimously – that the moment had come for the HUC to stand confidently on its own feet. This transition is not only timely, it is truly remarkable,” said Teresa Fogelberg, Chair of ICIMOD’s PAC.

HUC serves as a platform to develop mountain-focused research and generate scientific solutions to the significant challenges faced by the people, communities, culture and fragile ecosystems on the HKH.

“With the onslaught of global warming and extreme climate events, academic institutions in the HKH region have an added responsibility to develop credible data and research to solve the problems facing the people and planet today and in the future. This will be the binding feature that unites us all in working together for our shared future,” said Professor Achyut Wagle, PhD, Vice-Chancellor of KU, adding, “This will be a new milestone in the academic cooperation between universities in the HKH region. KU is ready to leverage its existing collaborations with higher education institutions in the region and beyond.”

With KU stepping into this role, the handover further recognises the University’s strong network, expertise, and capacity to guide HUC’s growth in the years ahead.

“Today’s MoU reflects our shared commitment to strengthening regional leadership and research for sustainable mountain development,” said Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD. “Kathmandu University is exceptionally well placed to guide HUC into its next phase as an independent and regionally rooted consortium. ICIMOD looks forward to continued collaboration as we support the next generation of mountain scholars, innovators, and leaders.”

His Excellency Rob Fenn, UK Ambassador to Nepal, commented, “HUC finding a new home at KU is very positive news. I think it will be good for the academic community to have this consortium in the HKH. It is a good thing for the planet, to deliver on the mountain agenda, to have knowledge creation plugged in directly, through ICIMOD in global discussions such as the UNFCCC process.”

“This marks a timely moment for the HUC Secretariat to begin its next chapter at Kathmandu University. This transition bridges intellectual communities, strengthens academic diplomacy, and unlocks the region’s vast heritage of knowledge for real policy impact. With KU’s readiness to lead, we now have a dynamic platform to advance mountain research, elevate collaborative efforts across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, and address the urgent challenges facing our mountain communities, said Prof. Dr Attaullah Shah, Vice Chancellor, Karakoram International University, Pakistan and Chair of the HUC Interim Steering Committee.

HUC remains dedicated to fostering mountain-focused research, education, outreach and practice to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders and advance HKH-specific research, innovation, and policy to tackle the existing and emerging challenges that the HKH faces.