Young Academy of Nepal

Young Academy of Nepal
Name	Young Academy of Nepal
Formation	2015
Type	Learned society
Headquarters	Kathmandu
Location	Nepal
Region served	Nepal
Membership	Early-career researchers, scholars, professionals
Leader title	President

Young Academy of Nepal The Young Academy of Nepal is a national learned society of early-career researchers, scholars, and professionals based in Kathmandu. It brings together emerging leaders from across Nepalese higher education and research sectors to promote scholarly exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-informed public engagement. The Academy engages with a broad network of institutions and individuals to influence policy, capacity building, and research dissemination.

History

The Academy emerged amid initiatives linked to Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Pokhara University, Purbanchal University, and Mid-Western University to address gaps identified by scholars associated with Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences, India, Royal Society, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and Wellcome Trust. Founding activities were shaped by dialogues involving representatives from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (Nepal), Council of Higher Secondary Education (Nepal), University Grants Commission (Nepal), and civil society groups that had partnered with United Nations Development Programme and World Bank education projects. Early meetings featured participants affiliated with Asian University for Women, Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reflecting transnational links. Over time the Academy established structures inspired by models such as Young Academy of Scotland, German Young Academy, Royal Society of Canada, and African Academy of Sciences Young Affiliates.

Mission and Objectives

The Academy's mission aligns with priorities advocated by organizations like United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Health Organization, International Science Council, Global Young Academy, and Academy of Sciences for the Developing World. Objectives include fostering interdisciplinary research among members from fields represented at institutions such as Nepal Engineering College, Birendra Multiple Campus, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, National College, and Lalitpur Nursing Campus; promoting science communication with stakeholders connected to Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal Rastra Bank, and Election Commission Nepal; advising policymakers linked to Prime Minister's Office (Nepal) and Parliament of Nepal; and building research capacity through training initiatives patterned after programs from National Institutes of Health, European Research Council, and Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises selected early-career researchers, academics, and professionals from universities such as Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Pokhara University, and research organizations including Nepal Health Research Council, CIMMYT, ICIMOD, and The Asia Foundation. Governance structures mirror practices used by Royal Society, National Academy of Sciences (United States), and Indian National Science Academy, with an executive committee, advisory board, and working groups. Leadership roles have been held by scholars trained at institutions like University of Edinburgh, University of Melbourne, Seoul National University, Peking University, and University of Tokyo. Selection and tenure procedures reference evaluation norms found at European University Association and Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Programs and Activities

Programs include interdisciplinary research grants, public lectures, policy brief series, and mentoring schemes featuring speakers from Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia University, Stanford University, and regional partners such as Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Sustainable Development Forum Nepal, and Nepal Development Research Institute. Activities span thematic working groups on topics linked to initiatives of United Nations Environment Programme, UNICEF, Asian Development Bank, and World Food Programme. The Academy organizes symposia and workshops with collaborators from American Centre Kathmandu, British Council Nepal, German Embassy Kathmandu, and French Embassy in Nepal; runs science communication trainings in partnership with BBC Media Action and Al Jazeera Academy-style programs; and publishes policy briefs inspired by formats used by Brookings Institution, Chatham House, and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The Academy partners with national bodies such as Nepal Health Research Council, Department of Education (Nepal), and Department of Environment (Nepal), and international entities including Global Young Academy, Royal Society, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Fulbright Program, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, and European Commission funding instruments like Horizon 2020. Collaborative projects have involved University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Melbourne, Australian National University, National University of Singapore, and regional research networks like ICIMOD and CIMMYT. The Academy has engaged donors and partners such as USAID, UNDP, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and philanthropic organizations modeled on Wellcome Trust and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Impact and Recognition

The Academy's membership has contributed to policy inputs for bodies such as Ministry of Health and Population (Nepal), Ministry of Forests and Environment (Nepal), and the National Planning Commission (Nepal), drawing attention from media outlets like The Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times, Republica (newspaper), and international coverage in The Guardian, The New York Times, and Al Jazeera. Members have received individual recognition and awards from institutions including Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, Newton Fund, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Fulbright Program, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, and regional honors from SAARC forums. The Academy's work has been cited in reports by World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations, and research collaborations with ICIMOD have influenced mountain development policies.

Category:Learned societies of Nepal