Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Bagmati University Sign Five-Year Strategic Cooperation Agreement

Dragon Media Correspondent

The Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Bagmati University have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at institutionalizing cooperation in entrepreneurship development, innovation promotion, skills development and industry-academia collaboration.

The agreement was signed by Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal and Bagmati University President Prof. Dr. Chandramani Poudel.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will work to strengthen long-term cooperation in entrepreneurship, business development, innovation capacity and institutional excellence while improving coordination among academia, industry, startups, the investment community and policymakers.

The two sides will jointly work on specialized training and executive education programs, capacity building, startup and innovation promotion, investment facilitation, strategic networking, research and policy studies, knowledge exchange and the development of future-oriented academic programs.

The Nepal Chamber of Commerce will identify training needs among its members and stakeholders, encourage participation in joint programs and cooperate in initiatives related to the business environment. It will also support the establishment of an internship and employment assistance center to connect Bagmati University students with industry.

The agreement also includes provisions for establishing research funds and scholarship support programs, as well as bringing experienced business leaders from the private sector to the university as guest speakers.

Bagmati University will provide academic expertise, conduct training and executive education programs, and offer consultation and mentoring for startups and innovation. The university has also committed to promoting industry-academia research and organizing seminars, policy dialogues and conferences.

Chamber President Agrawal said universities need to move beyond conventional education models and place greater emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation in line with current needs.

“The primary objective of universities should not be merely to produce people seeking jobs, but to develop entrepreneurs and leaders who can create employment,” Agrawal said. He emphasized that knowledge alone is not enough in today’s world and must be linked with business, industry and innovation.

Bagmati University President Prof. Dr. Poudel said the university is moving forward with an approach that connects education and industry in practical ways.

He expressed confidence that cooperation with the Nepal Chamber of Commerce would help directly connect students with industry, make research more practical and create new opportunities for startups and innovation.

The agreement will remain in force for five years from the date of signing and may be extended with the mutual consent of both parties.