Kathmandu University-Nepal Centre for Contemporary Studies (KU-NCCS)

The KU-NCCS is a research institute under Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSoA). It is an entity brought under the umbrella of Kathmandu University by the 594th meeting of the Executive Council (EC) held on February 16, 2020. Nepal Centre for Contemporary Studies (NCCS), a Kathmandu-based think tank established in 1995, was working on research and publication in contemporary socio-economic and political issues of South Asia. With an objective to initiate and strengthen research-based social science knowledge, the NCCS will now entirely be a part of KUSoA as per the understanding between its founders and the university.

NCCS, in a relatively short span of time, had established itself not only as an institution contributing to human resource development in social science research but also as an influential think tank providing policy inputs to state organizations through a wide network at local, national and regional (South Asia) levels.

Residential workshop programmes expanded NCCS’s network at local, national and regional levels. Altogether 440 distinguished personalities, including 44 foreign scholars from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, participated in the last 11 workshops as resource persons.

The Centre engaged people from different walks of life on issues of national and geopolitical importance through local dialogues, seminars, and international events.

The Executive Council of Kathmandu University, in its 636th meeting held on September 10, 2021, formed a three-member Management Committee to establish the centre at KUSoA and enacted KU-NCCS guidelines for smooth operation.

KU-NCCS Team

Advisors

Prof. Dr. Lok Raj Baral

Prof. Dr. Lok Raj Baral

Leading political scientist and academic with decades of contribution to political science, diplomacy, governance, and higher education in Nepal and South Asia.

Dr. Meena Poudel

Dr. Meena Poudel

Researcher focused on migration, gender, labour rights, and social justice with extensive national and international academic experience.

Prof. Krishna Khanal

Prof. Krishna Khanal

Expert in governance, public policy, democracy, and political development with long-standing academic and research contributions.

Management Committee

Prof. Dr. Binay Kushiyait

Prof. Dr. Binay Kushiyait

Senior academic leader with expertise in university administration, policy planning, and institutional development.

Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel

Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel

Associate Professor with research interests in migration, labour studies, social inclusion, and governance.

Mr. Geja Sharma Wagle

Mr. Geja Sharma Wagle

Administrative and institutional support professional engaged in academic coordination and organizational management.

Dr. Indra Adhikari

Dr. Indra Adhikari

Researcher and academic professional with expertise in conflict studies, security, and policy-related research.

Dean

Dean

Research Fellows

Dr. Ram Kumar Bhandari

Dr. Ram Kumar Bhandari (CHRV)

Research Fellow contributing to academic studies and collaborative research initiatives.

Mr. Chet Narayan Rasaili

Mr. Chet Narayan Rasaili

Supports research, fieldwork, academic coordination, and institutional data analysis.

Dr. Shiv Shankar Shah

Dr. Shiv Shankar Shah

Engaged in institutional research projects and interdisciplinary academic collaboration.

Dr. Avash Piya

Dr. Avash Piya

Active in interdisciplinary research initiatives and academic publications.

Dr. Kuldeep Niraula

Dr. Kuldeep Niraula

Contributes to academic publications, policy studies, and collaborative research activities.

Program Team

Ms. Sumitra Khadka Research Officer
Ms. Ojaswi Joshi Research Assistant

LG-Outreach

Mr. Bijay Ram Gosain Associate Program Manager

Video

Contact

KU-NCCS

School of Arts, Kathmandu University

Hattiban, Lalitpur

Phone: 01-5251294

Email: nccs@ku.edu.np