By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 16: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project “Establishment of Polytechnic Institute for Construction Workforce Development in Province 2, Nepal”.
Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary of MoF and the Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Chong-Suk signed the MoU at the Ministry of Finance, Singha Durbar, today.

The Korean Government through KOICA will spend US$ 8.6 million for this project in seven years.
The project will be implemented by KOICA and the CTEVT at its model polytechnic institute in Bardibas, Mohattrai, said the KOICA Nepal office in its statement.

The project has been developed as an integrated approach with the establishment of technical hub conducting Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) as well as Training Institute for Technical Instructors (TITI) training such as training of trainers (ToTs), Instructional Skills (IS), Occupational Skills Upgrading (OSU) and National Skill Testing Board (NSTB) skill testing, Design/Develop NVQ-based TVRT curricula for construction sector, enhance capacity of teachers and students “Through this project, KOICA aims to produce competent workforce ready to meet the domestic and global needs of the 21st century by aligning with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy and 15th National Plan. The project also aims to contribute to economic growth of Nepal through the development of skilled workforce to meet the need of construction industry and increasing their employability,” read the statement.

It is said that the KOICA established Polytechnic Institute in Bardibas will be the first model polytechnic after the federalised government system in Nepal.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary of MoF, highly appreciated bilateral cooperation between Nepal and South Korea, especially on TVET sector. He further added that the national unemployment problems would be solved only through the development of technical education.

Similarly, Korean Ambassador to Nepal Park Chong-Suk expressed his belief that the project would significantly contribute in producing skilled human resources and he also hoped that the technical school that will be established under this project will be the benchmark for upcoming model polytechnics in Nepal.