The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kathmandu University to formally transfer the Himalayan Consortium of University (HUC) to KU at a ceremony in the ICIMOD headquarters, Kathmandu on Wednesday December 10, 2025.
HUC was established in 2007with the aim to bridging the gap in collaboration between universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya and beyond to tackle shared development challenges, particularly on mountain issues.
HUC has created a network of universities and knowledge sharing institutions, connecting experts, students and other learners across the region and beyond. HUC has grown into a vibrant network of more than 100 universities and academic institutions from within and beyond HKH, reads a press release issued by ICIMOD.
The transition of the HUC secretariat to Kathmandu University marks an important next step, realising HUC’s long-envisioned role as an independent regionally rooted, and academically driven consortium.
“This MoU reflects our shared commitment to strengthening regional leadership and research for sustainable mountain development. Kathmandu University is exceptionally we placed to guide HUC into its next phase as an independent and regionally rooted consortium,” remarked Pema Gyamtso, director general, ICIMOD.” “ICIMOD looks forward to continued collaboration as we support the next generation of mountain scholars, innovators, and leaders,” he added.
HUC finding a new home at KU is a great news. I think it will be good for the academic community to have this consortium in the Hindu Kush Himalayas,” remarked Rob Fenn, UK Ambassador to Nepal.
“HUC’s strength and impact e in deepening regional collaboration in research, education, capacity development, and the co-generation and dissemination of knowledge. Such collective efforts will play a vital role in informing policies and practices for sustainable mountain development across the region,” said Eklabya Sarma an expert at ICIMOD.
