Kathmandu: Ambassador Tae-young Park of the Republic of Korea to Nepal attended the opening ceremony of the IEEE International Conference on ICT and Photonics (ICTP 2026) and the KAIST Global Digital Innovation & Impact (GDI) Workshop held at Kathmandu, on February 12, 2026.
ICTP 2026 marks a historic milestone as the first-ever IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) conference organized in Nepal. The four-day conference (February 11–14, 2026) is jointly organized by the Research and Innovation Center Nepal (RICON) and Nepal Engineering College (affiliated with Pokhara University), with technical sponsorship from the IEEE Nepal Chapter and the IEEE Photonics Society Nanjing Chapter. The event is co-organized by KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) Global Digital Innovation (GDI), bringing together more than 200 national and international researchers, academicians, innovators, and students.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Ambassador Park congratulated the organizers for hosting the landmark scientific event, describing it as “a proud and significant moment for Nepal’s scientific and academic community.” He commended Conference Chair Prof. Bikash Nakarmi, Dean Prof. Dr. Seung Hun Han of KAIST’s Graduate School of Global Digital Innovation, and the organizing committee for successfully convening a global platform for dialogue and collaboration.
The Ambassador highlighted the significance of holding ICTP 2026 alongside the Global Digital Innovation & Impact Workshop led by KAIST GDI, with the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea. He noted that such collaboration reflects the growing partnership between Nepal and Korea in science, technology, and digital innovation.
He further stated that the ICT sector remains a priority area of bilateral cooperation between Nepal and the Republic of Korea. Through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korean government has been continuously supporting Nepal in strengthening its ICT infrastructure and digital capacity.
The Government Integrated Data Center (GIDC), located in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, was established with significant financial and technical assistance from the Korean government. The GIDC serves as the primary data center of the Government of Nepal, responsible for storing, managing, and backing up public data. Similarly, the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Hetauda, also supported by Korea, functions as a backup system to minimize data loss resulting from natural or human-induced disasters, including earthquakes.
Another major initiative supported by the Korean government is the establishment of a modern Cyber Bureau for Nepal Police through an USD 8 million KOICA grant. The project aims to enhance digital forensic capabilities and combat the growing threat of cybercrime, with the facility expected to become operational by the end of 2026.
Encouraging young researchers and students participating in the conference, Ambassador Park noted that they are future leaders who will shape the digital world. Emphasizing the transformative role of ICT, photonics, artificial intelligence, and digital governance, he said technological advancement—guided by sound policy and strengthened by international cooperation—can serve as a powerful driver of sustainable and inclusive growth.
He reaffirmed the Republic of Korea’s commitment to sharing its development experience, supporting capacity building, and enhancing cooperation with Nepal in digital transformation and innovation-driven development.
