By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Nov. 24 The Resources Himalayan Foundation has received a $20,000 UNESCO Wenhui International Award.

The Foundation received the award ‘online’ at a programme on Saturday organised in Beijing, China by UNESCO. UNESCO has been awarding this prize to those who have made outstanding contributions to educational innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Executive director of the Foundation Dr. Dinesh Neupane, who is also the national coordinator of Young Science Network Nepal, said that the Foundation has received this year's Wenhui Award for the project “Building Science Chasing Coronavirus”.

The award will be used for research and science promotion, strengthening the Young Scientist Nepal and youth movement, he informed. The Foundation has been conducting a network called Young Scientist Nepal since April 2, 2020, immediately after the announcement of a lockdown in Nepal to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project supports young scientists, science teachers, university professors, and experts to combat COVID-19 through a nationwide network and awareness building. It has engaged young scientist volunteers from 65 out of 77 districts in Nepal to discuss strategies and activities needed in these efforts.

The main beneficiaries are local science teachers, schools, and community organizations, with the project expected to cover all 77 districts of Nepal, educating local communities about COVID-19 through education materials and campaigns. The Wenhui Prize has been awarded by UNESCO since 2010 in collaboration with the National Commission for China and UNESCO Asia (Pacific Program for Educational Innovation for Development).

The Resources Himalaya Foundation has been working in the field of science and conservation for the past 35 years.