13/11/2025
Festival "Science for Peace" in Kathmandu: Diplomacy of Knowledge and Trust
The "Science for Peace" Festival and the "Higher Education in Russia" exhibition, held on November 10–12 at the Russian House in Kathmandu, became a hub for expert exchange between Russia and Nepal.
On November 11, as part of the exhibition, a roundtable titled "Russian–Nepalese Cooperation: 100 Years of Diplomacy through Science and Education" was held, organized jointly with the Nepal–Russia Scientific Society (NRSS). It brought together representatives of science, academic institutions, the diplomatic community, and student circles.
The program was led by Ganesh Shah, former Minister of Science and Technology and President of NRSS. The session was moderated by Professor Dr. Ramesh Kumar Maskey — our alumnus, a professor at Kathmandu University, and a specialist in hydropower and renewable energy.
Science as People's Diplomacy
The photo exhibition "Russian Universities: Diplomacy through Science and Education" was officially opened by Dr. Rajendra Dhoj Joshi, Chairman of Madan Bhandari University. Afterwards, the director of the Russian House, Anastasia Khokhlova, emphasized the importance of international academic cooperation:
"Science unites people more strongly than political treaties. Every student is an ambassador of peace and mutual understanding. People's diplomacy through science and education is sometimes more effective than official initiatives: it begins with personal participation — from each of us." [1]
Anastasia also reminded that the Russian Federation continues to provide quotas and government scholarships for Nepali citizens to study at Russian universities across various fields — from bachelor's to postgraduate levels.
During the roundtable, representatives of Russian universities — RUDN University and Omsk State Agrarian University — presented reports on the role of academic and scientific projects as instruments of international diplomacy.
Voices of Experts
Academician and Professor Dr. Anjana Singh noted:
"For a developing country like Nepal, scientific diplomacy is a path to sustainable progress." [2]
Professor Dr. Jibaraj Pokharel, former Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), proposed introducing science attaché positions in Nepali embassies.
Dr. Dipak Gyawali, former Minister of Water Resources, explained:
"Technological diplomacy is more complex than scientific diplomacy because technologies carry commercial value. But to maintain cooperation even during political pauses, academia, business, and the media must interact directly." [3]
Dr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada, former ambassador of Nepal to several countries and Nepal's representative to the UN, added:
"Both science and diplomacy are based on truth and trust. Foreign policy must rest on evidence and continuity." [4]
Looking Ahead
On the second day of the festival, more than ten leading Russian universities presented their educational programs and opportunities for prospective students from Nepal. Among the participants were Saint Petersburg State University, RUDN University, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, and other leading institutions.
Concluding the festival, the director of the Russian House, Anastasia Khokhlova, emphasized:
"We want to support Nepal in building a strong society and economy. We want graduates of Russian universities to return home and help their country develop." [5]
The festival became vivid proof that science and education are not just fields of knowledge but powerful instruments of international diplomacy capable of strengthening trust and peace among nations.
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[1] Anastasia Khokhlova, Director of the Russian House in Kathmandu
[2] Dr. Anjana Singh, Academician and Professor
[3] Dr. Dipak Gyawali, Former Minister of Water Resources
[4] Dr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada, Former Ambassador of Nepal to several countries and Nepal's representative to the UN
