To strengthen development-oriented research capacities in the south and in the north is the objective of NCCR N-S. In Nepal, focus is on establishing research networks and partnerships between Swiss universities and universities of Nepal and local NGO for in-depth research with master and PhD level studies through the Regional Coordination Office of South Asia. The outcomes are provided in topics and works related to environment studies https://essaystore.net/environmental-essays-topics/

Methodological training workshops are held regularly with partner institutions. Qualitative and quantitative methods as well as various aspects of field research are covered during these training workshops.

Further, PhD students are trained internationally through International and Regional Training Courses (ITC, RTC). Recent courses included the ITC 2008 in San Jose, Costa Rica and the RTC 2009 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Nepal Research Group meetings are held every trimester to collectively review progress made and to coordinate next trimester’s activities. In addition, students presents their theoretical and methodological works and findings of research and further plans and obtain feedbacks, suggestions from the participants and supervisors.

EPD Project: Exploring Partnership Dynamics: North-South Partnerships in the Context of International Development

This study was launched in January 2008. It aims at contributing to the shaping of more efficient North- South partnerships and good practices for sustainable development. Its three main objectives are:

a) To examine the effects of NCCR North-South research partnerships on developing/improving institutional capacities of the partners in the South

b) To analyse the role of NCCR partnerships in international development cooperation (mainly SDC), in the particular countries where NCCR North-South is active

c) To identify and document the determinants of the “good practices” in designing or shaping future research partnership.

The EPD Project Coordinator's Office is based in NCCR N-S South Asia Coordination Office, Nepal.

This study applies mainly qualitative (but also quantitative where possible) research methods such as interviews, (in-depth, key informants and telephone), focused group discussion, mail questionnaire, and content analysis (report, publications, and course contents). Main partners in (up to) two to three countries per JACS (Joint Area of Case Studies) have been included for the study. Thus there are 20 countries, which are sampled in eight JACS Regions. At the individual level, 126 persons with different levels of research involvement (senior researchers, post docs, PhD degree holders, PhD students, and heads of institutions) have been contacted in all JACS countries.

Similarly, during this period, 80 institutional partners have been identified for survey. The implementation of this project in 18 months (from January 2008 to June 2009) involves several bodies at different levels: the regional coordinator's forum, the core group, the senior researchers and project coordinators, and the local young researchers in the Regional coordination offices. An effective system of good monitoring and follow-up is built in the study project.