Kathmandu: The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has formally transferred the Secretariat of the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) to Kathmandu University (KU), marking a new phase in regional academic cooperation on mountain development.
An MoU to this effect was signed on December 10, 2025, at ICIMOD Headquarters in Kathmandu. Established in 2007, HUC was created to strengthen collaboration among universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and beyond to address shared development challenges, particularly those related to mountain regions. Over the years, the consortium has grown into a network of more than 100 universities and academic institutions.
The transition marks an important step toward HUC’s long-envisioned goal of becoming an independent, regionally rooted, and academically driven consortium, in line with recommendations that it be hosted by a university.
ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho said the MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening regional leadership and research for sustainable mountain development, adding that Kathmandu University is well positioned to guide HUC into its next phase.
Kathmandu University Vice-Chancellor Professor Achyut Wagle said hosting the HUC Secretariat would further enhance academic cooperation in the HKH region and support the generation of credible research to address climate change and other pressing challenges.
With the handover, Kathmandu University assumes responsibility for hosting the HUC Secretariat, reinforcing its role as a regional academic leader while ICIMOD continues to collaborate with the consortium in advancing mountain-focused research and knowledge sharing.
