Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies(CNAS)

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Originally established as the Institute of Nepal Studies in 1969, it was renamed as the Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies in 1972 with both teaching and research activities responsibility. In 1977, the Institute was converted into a purely research centre baptizing it as the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS). CNAS is a statutory research centre under TU for conducting independent research and deliberation on issues and studies in social sciences. The main substantive activity at the Centre is carried out by the research wings called Faculty while the administrative and documentation centre provide support services. CNAS is a multidisciplinary research centre with a team of 16 full-time researchers.

Objectives

The main objectives of the centre are as follows:

• To study political, social, economic, humanitarian and other challenges of national integration from diverse disciplinary perspectives;
• To promote and undertake studies on current development issues, ethnic diversities, gender, migration, sociolinguistic and cultural studies of Nepal and other Asian countries;
• To encourage and maintain international academic exchange, affiliation and coordination of research activities of Nepali and foreign scholars; and
• To organize national and international seminars and conferences and disseminate its research publications.

Research Priority

The following are the priority areas of the Centre's research:

• To study and assess the social response to development programs and its implications in terms of various policy options;
• To examine localized Nepali societies to arrive at fuller appreciation and understanding of traditional cultures that contribute to national identity;
• Conflict studies, security of small states, politics, development and inter-state relations in South Asia; and
• Area studies, particularly political economic and strategic developments in the Asian region on the basis of proximity.

Human Resources

Currently CNAS has the following research capable academic/ administrative manpower:

Academic Staff

Administrative Staff

Current Activities

A Research Project on "Peace Building and Capacity Development” has been conducted since 2010. Under this project various programmes including two international seminars have been successfully organized.

CNAS is carrying out another joint project on "Social Exclusion and Inclusion" collaborating with SIRF/SNV, Nepal.

CNAS has started long-term collaboration with the Platform of Danish Universities since 2010. Various research programs will be conducted including capacity building of faculty members of CNAS.

Furthermore, some of the prominent Foreign institutions which have been affiliated with CNAS are as follows:

• National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), UPR 299 Environment, Society and Culture in the Himalayas, France

• Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Japan.

• Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Oxford University, UK.

• The School for international training,  Vermouth, USA

• Nityananda Institute, Oregon, USA

• Centre for International Exchange and Cooperation, Andong

National University, South Korea.

Publications and Research Activities

So far, CNAS has produced more than 300 publications substantially contributing to the knowledge and understanding of Nepali society, culture, history, linguistics, contemporary politics and Asian studies. Its biannual multidisciplinary journal, Contributions to Nepalese Studies, has been publishing articles (both in English and Nepali) since 1973 and has remained the single most important journal of Nepalese Studies within Nepal and abroad. The latest issue published in 2012 is Vol. 38, No. 2.

The Centre functions under Executive Director, who is both its academic and administrative head.

Mr. Naniram Khatri

Executive Director

CNAS, TU

PO Box 3757

Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: 977-1-4332078; 4331740; 4333223

Fax: 977-1-4331184

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: http/www.cnastu.org.np