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Field workers from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) pose for a photo at a solar power plant in Cambodia. Korea has been instrumental in the development of practical, small-scale solar power technologies that can be applied to developing nations.


Korea and Nepal have opened a research center to work on developing sustainable, green technologies. 

An opening ceremony was held on Jan. 26 at Pokhara University in Nepal, home to the Nepal-Korea Science and Technology Center. Around 150 guests, including government officials, university professors and students from both countries, were in attendance. 

Korean institutions participating in the project include Handong University, Pohang University of Science & Engineering, Inha University and several other Korean NGOs. 

The project began in July last year and is projected to run until June 2019. During these four years, the Korean government has allocated around USD 450,000 in funding each year.

The center will focus on developing small-scale solar and hydropower systems for Nepalese homes. Given Nepal's nation-wide shortage of electric power, which was further exacerbated by recent earthquakes, a renewable power supply would make a huge difference to the daily lives of many of the citizens. The center will also develop processing technologies for herbs cultivated in the Himalayas, with the goal of setting up a self-sufficient manufacturing system for local farmers. 

An important characteristic of the newly opened center is the fact that local professionals are involved in the research projects. This ensures that the development model is sustainable and has long-lasting impact on the local people. 

In line with this, Korea continues to share its water resource development expertise, as well as its energy and agricultural technologies, with countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Nepal, all with the aim of creating a sustainable model for growth.