Project Overview
Based on the findings of a comprehensive feasibility study, this transformative project addressed the critical lack of awareness about National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) among Nepalese universities. Through strategic sensitization sessions, research domain identification, and exploration of global R&E services, the project successfully bridged Nepal's scientific infrastructure gap while expanding NREN's outreach to 7 out of 12 central universities and 1 provincial university.
University Sensitization
Comprehensive awareness campaigns across Nepal's leading educational institutions
Research Domain Mapping
Identification of priority research areas with high potential for NREN benefits
Global NREN Analysis
Comprehensive mapping of 42 global NRENs and their services for benchmarking
HPC Access
Facilitating researcher access to international supercomputing resources
Global NREN Research Impact
Comprehensive analysis of international research and education networks
Project Objectives
Primary Goal
Promote awareness and practical use of high-speed research and education networks (RENs) across Nepal's universities and research communities.
NREN Awareness Development
Develop comprehensive awareness materials tailored to the Nepalese academic context and research priorities.
Research Domain Identification
Identify key research domains across Nepal with highest potential to benefit from advanced networking infrastructure.
National Sensitization Campaign
Organize comprehensive sensitization workshops nationwide to build understanding and adoption of NREN services.
Team Capacity Building
Build team capacity through strategic international exposure visits to leading R&E centers and HPC facilities.
International Collaboration
Establish partnerships with global NRENs and research centers to expand Nepal's research capabilities.
Key Activities
Global NREN Services Research
Comprehensive mapping of activities, services, and resources of 42 global NRENs, including HPC facilities and collaborations, providing valuable insights into international best practices.
Nepal Research Area Mapping
Identified priority research areas across physical, biological, earth, computer, and health sciences through document review, consultations, and analysis of national trends.
International Capacity Building
NREN team visited HPC and R&E centers in China, Singapore, and Japan to understand infrastructure operations and potential collaborations for research advancement.
Sensitization Materials Development
Created comprehensive awareness materials tailored to the Nepalese context, incorporating global REN applications, research domain analyses, and practical benefits.
University Workshops
Conducted awareness sessions in 9 universities and 2 major APAN55 events, engaging 361 stakeholders and raising awareness about REN and supercomputing benefits.
International Exposure Visits
Strategic visits to leading research centers in China, Singapore, and Japan for knowledge transfer and collaboration development.
Biological Sciences
Physical Sciences
Earth Sciences
Computer Sciences
Health Sciences
Key Outcomes & Impact
Global NREN Profiling
Created comprehensive comparative document on services and applications across continents for reference by Nepal and other emerging RENs.
HPC and Scientific Resources Mapping
Documented access points to HPC, virtual labs, and research infrastructure in 20 countries for future collaborative opportunities.
Nepal Research Domain Identification
Highlighted disciplines with high potential to benefit from RENs, supporting future resource alignment and strategic planning.
National Awareness Materials
Developed localized content to educate stakeholders on REN benefits aligned with national research trends and priorities.
University Network Expansion
NREN established network agreements with four central and one provincial university, expanding reach to five provinces across Nepal.
HPC Access Achievement
Tribhuvan University researchers gained access to supercomputing resources via NSCC Singapore, showcasing tangible international collaboration impact.
University Coverage Expansion
Significant expansion of NREN reach across Nepal's academic landscape
Partner Organizations
Nepal Research and Education Network (NREN)
Primary coordinator for Nepal's research and education networking infrastructure development
National Supercomputing Center (Singapore)
HPC resources provider and technical collaboration partner for Nepalese researchers
CNIC, CSTNET, CERNET
Chinese networking and research institutions providing expertise and collaboration opportunities
SINET, NICT, MAFFIN, APAN
Japanese research network consortium providing technical expertise and regional collaboration
SingAREN
Singapore's Advanced Research and Education Network facilitating regional research connections
Challenges & Gaps
Limited Internet Infrastructure at Campuses
Universities outside Kathmandu lacked sufficient capacity for live demonstrations, limiting practical exposure during sensitization sessions.
University Coordination Delays
Scheduling conflicts with academic leadership caused postponements in some sensitization workshops, affecting project timeline efficiency.
Incomplete University Outreach
Sessions could not be conducted at Purbanchal, Nepal Sanskrit, and Lumbini Buddha Universities during the project timeline, leaving coverage gaps.
Future Directions
Complete University Coverage
Plan to visit and conduct comprehensive awareness activities at three uncovered universities to ensure complete national outreach and coverage.
Deepen HPC Collaborations
Strengthen partnerships with NSCC Singapore and China-based centers to expand access for Nepalese researchers across multiple disciplines.
Expand REN Coverage
Connect remaining universities to ensure equitable REN coverage and comprehensive national-level network integration across all provinces.
Enhance Local NREN Services
Use insights from global NRENs to introduce new services and foster advanced academic research capabilities within Nepal's institutions.