Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Pema Gyamtsho on Wednesday laid emphasis on greater collaboration in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region as they support the next generation of mountain scholars, innovators and leaders.

"ICIMOD looks forward to continued collaboration as we support the next generation of mountain scholars, innovators, and leaders," he said as the ICIMOD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kathmandu University to formally transfer the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) secretariat.

The ceremony was held at the ICIMOD Headquarters in the capital city of Nepal.

"Today’s MoU reflects our shared commitment to strengthening regional leadership and research for sustainable mountain development. Kathmandu University is exceptionally well placed to guide HUC into its next phase as an independent and regionally rooted consortium," said the ICIMOD DG.

HUC was established in 2007 to bridge the gap in collaboration between universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and beyond to tackle shared development challenges, particularly on mountain issues.

Hosted by ICIMOD and supported by its core donors, 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 the HKH.

“It is truly a proud and heartening moment to see Kathmandu University take on the responsibility of hosting the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC), " said Dr Eklabya Sharma, former DDG, ICIMOD and former Steering Committee Member, HUC.

Looking ahead, Dr Sharma said HUC’s strength and impact lie 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."

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.

“The Program Advisory Committee fully acknowledges and deeply appreciates that ICIMOD has hosted the HUC since its inception in 2007," saidTeresa Fogelberg, Programme Advisory Committee Chair.

For more than seventeen years, Fogelberg said ICIMOD has nurtured this network, ensuring it had the support, stability, and visibility required to grow.

"But we on the PAC also believe—strongly and unanimously—that the moment had come for the HUC to stand confidently on its own feet. And now, that moment has arrived. This transition is not only timely; it is truly remarkable," said the Programme Advisory Committee Chair.

The consortium will serve as a platform to develop mountain focused research and generate scientific solutions to the problems besetting HKH’s fragile ecosystem, communities, culture, and people.

The handover delivers on review recommendations that HUC should be hosted by a university – ensuring autonomy and independence. Kathmandu University offered to host the HUC Secretariat following ICIMOD Director General's intervention in September 2025, aligning with HUC’s long-term vision of being anchored within a leading university from the HKH region.

With Kathmandu University stepping into this role, the handover further affirms Kathmandu University’s emergence as a regional academic leader.

This transition recognises the university’s strong network, expertise, and capacity to guide HUC’s growth in the years ahead.

“This will be a new milestone in the academic cooperation between universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. Kathmandu University is ready to leverage its existing collaborations with higher education institutions in the region and beyond,"said Professor Achyut Wagle, Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University.

With the onslaught of global warming and extreme climate events, academic institutions in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region have an added responsibility to develop credible data and research to solve the problems facing the people and planet today and in the future, he said.

"This will be the binding feature that unites us all in working together for our shared future," said Professor Achyut Wagle.

Kathmandu University’s leadership and commitment make it an ideal home for the HUC Secretariat. Kathmandu University will contribute to HUC’s ongoing success to build on its achievements, sustain its growth and expand its impact.

“HUC finding a new home at KU is great news. I think it will be good for the academic community to have this consortium in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. It is a good thing for the planet, to deliver on the mountain agenda, to have knowledge creation plugged in directly, through ICIMOD in global discussions such as the UNFCCC process,” said Rob Fenn, UK envoy to Nepal.

HUC remains dedicated to fostering mountain-focused research, education, outreach and practice to nurture a new generation of transformational leaders and advance HKH-specific research, innovation, and policy to tackle the existing and emerging challenges that the HKH faces.