NICCI, UoN propose permanent IAG framework at high-level government meet

KATHMANDU: Nepal‑India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) and the University of Nepal (UoN) have proposed the creation of a permanent Industry‑Academia‑Government (IAG) Framework to strengthen evidence‑based policymaking and create a more conducive business environment.

The proposal was presented at a high‑level strategic consultative meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) in Singha Durbar today. The meeting was attended by senior government officials led by Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal, secretaries from key ministries, representatives from NICCI and the leadership of UoN.

Lal Krishna KC, chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, opened the session with a presentation on the draft IAG Framework. The concept outlines a structured national platform intended to bridge gaps between policy priorities, industry needs and academic research, and sets out objectives, priority sectors, focus areas, an institutional design and a road map for implementation.

The proposed framework positions government as a strategic facilitator, industry as a driver of market relevance and academia as an evidence‑generating partner. The model emphasises execution‑oriented collaboration, data‑driven design and long‑term institutionalisation rather than one‑off events or short‑term projects.

Secretaries at the meeting welcomed the initiative and said it would help to strengthen Nepal’s research and innovation ecosystem. They highlighted the need to build applied research capacity within universities, expand industry participation beyond a single chamber, and ensure measurable, impact‑level outcomes. The need for national standards, intellectual property systems, skill‑based industries and stronger R&D linkages was also underlined.

Discussions stressed inclusivity, alignment with national interest and improved data integration across government, academia and the private sector. Opportunities in energy efficiency, power trade and emerging areas such as green hydrogen were identified as potential areas for collaboration.

UoN Vice‑Chancellor Dr Arjun Karki, Registrar Dr Surya Raj Acharya and other UoN representatives said they were committed to introducing industry‑relevant academic programmes, including micro‑credential initiatives, and to strengthening the role of academia as an independent knowledge partner serving national priorities. NICCI representatives affirmed the private sector’s readiness to contribute and said they were engaging other apex business chambers to broaden participation.

Chief Secretary Aryal expressed strong support for the framework in his closing remarks and called for swift collective action to move from concept to implementation. The meeting agreed to convene a follow‑up session to refine the IAG Framework and to engage apex business bodies including the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) for broader industry representation.

NICCI Vice‑President Kunal Kayal, Director General Keshab Man Singh and IAG initiative lead Jay Nishant also took part in the discussion.