KATHMANDU: The Nepal Policy Leadership Program (NPLP) 2024, a collaborative effort by the Nepal Policy Institute (NPI), the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), and Kathmandu University, has concluded after eight months of intensive training.

The closing ceremony, held in Kathmandu, was chaired by NPI President Dr. Khagendra Raj Dhakal, with Prof. Dr. Achyut Wagle, Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University, as the Chief Guest.

The NPLP aimed to equip government officials with essential skills for policy decision-making, offering practical, real-world case studies and critical thinking tools. In his address, Dr. Dhakal emphasized the program’s success in building analytical capabilities among civil servants.

Mr. Gopinath Mainali, former Secretary and NPI Executive Member, expressed optimism about continued collaboration among NPI, Kathmandu University, and the Government of Nepal. The program was divided into three phases: pre-residency, residency, and post-residency, with participants applying learned skills in their professional roles. Facilitators included national and international experts such as Dr. Gambhir Bhatta and Ms. Sally Washington, who led special sessions on international policy leadership.

The program graduated 25 participants, including senior government officials from 16 ministries, who received their certificates during the ceremony. Prof. Dr. Wagle praised the NPLP for bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical policy implementation. Secretary Chudamani Paudel echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence that the program would enhance Nepal’s policymaking process.

The event was attended by civil society, think tanks, media, and government representatives, including Mr. Khom Raj Koirala, Joint Secretary at the National Planning Commission. Participants, such as Ms. Sangita Ojha, shared how they had already applied the training in their respective roles, contributing to the broader policymaking landscape.

The NPLP program has successfully fostered a collaborative platform for government officials, academia, and think tanks, reinforcing the importance of capacity-building in Nepal’s policy sector.