HUC-HKH

Introduction to Knowledge Management and Communication
2019-05-27 - 2019-06-02 | ICIMOD Headquarters, Kathmandu, Nepal
Background
The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) is one of Bhutan’s esteemed education institutions that conducts research and promotes knowledge creation and dissemination for global impact. With over 600 academics employed and 10,000 students in more than 60 programmes at 10 different university campuses, the RUB contributes to research and shares its expertise in various international platforms. With the increasing number of academic papers being produced at the university, it has become necessary to systematically manage this knowledge through the use of information technology and effective repository systems. It is also important to develop tools and mechanisms to disseminate the knowledge through different knowledge products and mediums at national, regional, and international levels.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge-sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. ICIMOD serves as an open house for knowledge initiatives on sustainable mountain development. The Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) unit at ICIMOD helps produce, package, and communicate information and knowledge products in the form of publications, databases, multimedia, and web content, all of which are globally available online.
About the customized course
ICIMOD is a founding member and host of the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC), a network of 80 higher education institutions within and outside the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The HUC’s mandate is to strengthen capacity for and promote regional and global collaboration in research and education for sustainable mountain development among members. The Royal University of Bhutan has been an active member of the HUC since 2016.
Given the RUB’s need for knowledge management and ICIMOD’s capacity in the same, an introductory course on knowledge management and communications has been designed by professionals at ICIMOD for RUB staff members. The course is a part of efforts by the HUC and ICIMOD to strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable mountain development in the HKH. The course caters to staff members with more than 10 years’ experience in management and administration, responsible for coordinating and managing the dissemination of knowledge generated by the RUB to various stakeholders for a wide range of usage.
Expected outcomes
Participants are expected to obtain an overall understanding of knowledge and communication systems applicable in the higher education institution context. By the end of the course, they should be able to:

Manage university staff’s data and publications using information management systems, thereby contributing to quality classroom teaching
Engage in library management and explore sharing of a knowledge network with HUC Libraries through e-services
Disseminate publications through policy briefs and press releases for print, broadcast, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to improve outreach

Participants will also be introduced to project management in the academic context. They will obtain a preliminary understanding of:

The importance of Theory of Change and Management-by-Result Framework in academic activities
Medium-term research project management cycle
The importance and practice of monitoring, evaluation, and learning
Networking and partnership building in the academic context

Participants will also have an opportunity to visit Kathmandu University’s campus to learn about good practices in management.

High-level symposium on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
2019-05-17 | Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepal
Nations, cities, and communities all over the world have committed to work towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs, set by the United Nations General Assembly, aim at securing a sustainable future for all. They address several global challenges, including those related to poverty, good health, clean water, sustainable cities and communities, quality education, gender equality, climate and environmental degradation, and peace and justice.
SDG 17 emphasizes the need for collaboration among different facets of society for sustainable development. To deliberate on this in the context of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, specifically in relation to collaboration between Norway and Nepal, a high-level symposium will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 17 May 2019. The symposium is being organized by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) – an initiative under the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Experts from ICIMOD will participate in this event and deliberate on issues relevant to the HKH region.
Institutions in Nepal and Norway have for long closely collaborated on directly addressing several of the SDGs. This symposium will explore how strengthened collaboration between Norway and Nepal, NTNU and Nepalese partner universities, and the public and private sectors can form a sustainable development agenda and further contribute to the SDGs in general, specifically in the areas of social sustainability and hydropower.
A successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society, and it requires that the knowledge sector, in close collaboration with partners in public and private sector, develop knowledge and competencies that can contribute to sustainable development. HUC is mandated to develop an effective, sustainable network of universities in the HKH region in collaboration with academic, research and knowledge-generating, and exchange institutions both within and outside the region.

Regional Training on Springshed Management for Socio-Ecological Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya 2019
2019-03-24 - 2019-04-06 | Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepal
Springs are the main source of water for millions of people and ecosystems in the HKH landscapes that span eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Springs play an important role in the daily lives of thousands of rural and urban communities in the hills and mountains of the HKH. They are also important for ecosystem services, such as base flow in rivers, supporting biodiversity, and providing cultural and spiritual services. However, in many places, once-reliable springs are drying up or their discharge is reducing, presenting rural communities, women in particular, with new challenges. There is also growing concern about the quality of spring water due to contamination from different sources – geogenic and anthropogenic.
In the Himalayan region, natural springs and their sustainable development are not given due importance at both policy and practice levels, even though they play a critical role in water security. Present gaps in data and understanding need to be filled to develop innovative solutions for the sustainable management of these traditional sources of groundwater. There is also a need to raise awareness among academia and relevant policy and decision makers, and to develop skills and share knowledge on this critical topic with field practitioners and community members. There are gaps in data concerning the level of dependence of local populations on springs and the roles these play in nurturing cultural services and building resilience.
The drying of springs can have direct consequences on the larger ecosystem. Soils can lose moisture and nutrients, soil nutrients can reduce and biodiversity will suffer as a result. If a wetland that supports a unique bird species dries up, the entire wetland ecosystem is impacted. Therefore, any ecosystem research and development programme should consider hydrogeological elements and combine biodiversity and lithodiversity perspectives as they are intertwined.
ICIMOD, in its role as a regional leaning centre, is working with a diverse range of partners from its regional member countries (RMCs) to generate and share knowledge through a common platform for enhancing collective understanding of spring revival and springshed management. A six-step protocol on springshed management has been developed through various interdisciplinary partnerships and participatory field experiences. The protocol has been sharpened through a detailed methodology of springshed management developed under a collaboration between ICIMOD and the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM) over the past few years. Capacity building in relation to the protocol holds great potential for implementing a common methodology for springshed development and management in the HKH region.
The training is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through its Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) under the Global Programme Climate Change and Environment (GPCCE).
Objectives

To provide an interdisciplinary approach to understanding spring systems in the HKH region, which in turn can translate into knowledge and skills on springshed management for the socio-ecological resilience of local communities
To build skills regarding springshed management activities on the basis of sound concepts, analyses, and field experience regarding a systematic methodology based on the subject of hydrogeology along with disciplines such as climate, environment, and water governance
To understand and analyze experiences and impacts of springshed management under different conditions across HKH region

HUC - IHCAP Glacier Monitoring Training 2018
2018-11-12 - 2018-12-15 | ICIMOD
The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) – an Initiative under ICIMOD’s regional programme on Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks (MKAN) – has its mandate in developing an effective, sustainable network of universities in the HKH, in collaboration with academic, research and knowledge generating and exchange institutions both within and outside the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
Glacier mass balance, surface elevation, and area changes are Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) as defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They are among the most important climate indicators from a science-policy communication perspective because glacier change is often visible and easily quantifiable, and as a result, more comprehensible to the general public. For this reason, glaciers have become iconic climate change indicators. Consistent long-term glacier monitoring programmes, however, are sparse in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
ICIMOD has collaborated with partners to build capacity and establish glacier mass balance programmes in the HKH since 2011. The Universities of Fribourg and Zurich, Switzerland, maintain multiple monitoring programmes in the Alps. As a core competence, they have built capacity in Switzerland, and internationally with partners in India and several countries in the Andean and Central Asian region. ICIMOD carries out HUC–IHCAP Glacier Monitoring Training for students and young professionals from its regional member countries (RMCs) in collaboration with Swiss and Indian experts to promote sustainable and consistent monitoring programmes. The main objective of the training is to educate participants on glacier monitoring and its relevance and context in view of cryosphere and climate science, and to teach and practice international monitoring method standards.
The training consists of a theoretical section (Part I) for a larger group of participants (maximum 20) and a field-based section (Part II) for a smaller group (maximum 9).
Part I will provide participants information on international strategies and monitoring protocols for glacier monitoring, and understand their relevance, context, and theoretical background. Methods will be taught, instruments demonstrated, and exercises conducted to help participants analyse and understand global glacier monitoring parameters. Trainees will be introduced to the health, safety, and risk aspects of field work at remote, alpine, high-altitude sites, and given instruction on how to reduce risks and respond to them. Trainings on altitude-related illnesses and basic mountaineering techniques are high priority.
Part II will have participants learning how to conduct measurements and apply their theoretical knowledge in the field. Participants will practise basic mountaineering skills and experience the high-elevation alpine environment with its risks and challenges.
Click here for more information about the announcement, and submit your online application by 10 August 2018.

2018 International Workshop for Young Scientists of the Hindu Kush Himalaya
2018-11-05 - 2018-11-06 | Yanqihu Campus, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, China
The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) was established with a mandate to develop an effective, sustainable network of universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). The initiative is part of the regional programme on Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks (MKAN) at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). It works in collaboration with academic, research, and knowledge generating and exchange institutions within and outside the HKH.
The Second International Science Forum of National Scientific Organizations on the Belt and Road Initiative is to be organized by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) with the theme: Science and Technology cooperation and sustainable development for the Belt and Road region. The 2018 International Workshop for Young Scientists of the HKH has been incorporated in the session on capacity building, personal training, and basic scientific research, with the aim of providing a platform for young students, researchers, and university and research institute administrators to exchange ideas for better collaboration.
This workshop will provide a unique opportunity for early career scholars in the HKH to interact with their peers in the region, share their research experience, cultivate collegial partnerships and lay the foundations for future leadership in the region. Participants will include PhD students, scientists, engineers, and young scholars from universities that are full members of HUC. Some scientists and outstanding PhD students will be invited to make keynote presentations.
Objectives
The workshop will focus on climate change and sustainable development in the HKH. Major topics include:

Climate change
Disaster risk reduction
Biodiversity and stable ecosystems
Water resources
Livelihoods and poverty reduction
Regional development
Education and knowledge dissemination

High Level Meeting of Education and University Grants Commissions & Himalayan University Consortium Annual Meeting
2018-10-30 - 2018-10-31 | ICIMOD, Kathmandu University, Nepal
The Himalayan University Consortium has its mandate in developing an effective, sustainable network of universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, in collaboration with academic, research, knowledge generating and exchange institutions both within and outside the HKH region. This network engages top-notch professional women and men capable of undertaking high-quality research, education, teaching, and knowledge dissemination in service of a mountain-specific, sustainable, fair and inclusive development for HKH communities and adjoining mountainous areas. The Consortium’s elected six-member Steering Group and a Secretariat coordinate with member institutions in network building, partnership enhancing, collaboration promoting, resource sharing and fund raising activities. The Secretariat is hosted by the Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD, Kathmandu), which has made HUC one of the Initiatives of the Regional Programme 6 – Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks (MKANs), funded through the generous support of ICIMOD’s core donors: the Governments of Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Over the past four years, there has been a renewed interest among existing members and increased interest among potential HUC members. The total members increased from 33 in the beginning of 2016 to 62 by the end of 2017, including 47 full members from 8 countries in the HKH region and 15 associate members from outside of the HKH (Annex 1). At the HUC Annual Meeting in Chengdu, November 2017, the General Assembly endorsed the Steering Group’s proposal to establish a Task Force in drafting the HUC Strategy and Plan for Actions (SPA, 2018-2025), meanwhile reviewing the membership policies. In selected countries where members are increasing such as India, Pakistan, and Nepal, process of consultation has been initiated to discuss the need for an HUC Country Chapter. The SPA Drafts were prepared and revised according to inputs from members in selected countries during the first half of 2018.
The most recent development of HUC is the establishment of Thematic Working Groups (Annex 3). Ten (10) TWGs cover a wide range of thematic areas from climate change, water resource management, disaster reduction and resilience, mountain agriculture, non-traditional food securities, to poverty alleviation and environmental humanities. HUC TWGs are members-led clustering of researchers and practitioners from HUC members sharing similar scholarly interests, working to promote regional collaboration in research and training for sustainable mountain development. The development of TGWs is a continuation from HUC institutional grants provided to partnerships across the HKH (Annex 2).
Both country-based clusters of universities (country chapters) and thematic groups among members (TWGs) have come to realize the importance to inform state and national level policy makers of the significant potential HUC can bring in creating and sharing advance knowledge and competent workforce in service of sustainable development in upstream and downstream communities. At this end, efforts have been made in 2018 to approach University Grant Commissions in India and Nepal, Higher Education Commission in Pakistan, and National Education Planning Commission in Myanmar. Initiative responses from high level policy makers in these bodies have been overwhelming positive, indicating opportunities not only to garner support at national level but also the need to facilitate dialogue between UGC/HEC/NEPC chairpersons in the region to foster regional collaboration in research and training for SMD.

Himalayan University Consortium Nepal Members’ Meeting
2018-08-11 - 2018-08-12 | Pokhara University, Nepal
The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) was established with a mandate to develop an effective, sustainable network of universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). The initiative is part of the regional programme on Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks (MKAN) at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). It works in collaboration with academic, research, and knowledge generating and exchange institutions within and outside the HKH.
Over the past decade, ICIMOD has provided technical support in strengthening research capacity in climate change sciences and natural resource studies and management. The HUC Secretariat responds to requests to help build and upgrade curricula for sustainable mountain development from schools and departments at universities—both members and non-members of HUC.
The Objective and the expected outcome of the meeting is stated below:
Objectives
Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice Chancellors, and senior administrators and researchers from HUC member institutions in Nepal will be discussing:

A draft of the HUC Strategy and Action Plan I (2018–2025).
Potential funding sources for research and training collaboration among HUC members in Nepal and members within and outside the region.
Thematic areas for Nepal and the role of HUC Nepal members in thematic working groups.
Promotion of science-policy dialogues through HUC linkages with policy making institutions.
Potential linkage between HUC and Nepal’s University Grants Commission.
The need to establish a HUC Country Chapter in Nepal.
Procedure to nominate a HUC Steering Group member representing members in Nepal.

Expected Outcomes
The meeting is expected to arrive at:

A summary of comments and inputs to the HUC Strategy and Action Plan I (2018–2025).
A summary and action points regarding resource mobilization and potential for collaboration.
A summary and action points regarding the HUC Country Chapter in Nepal.
A summary and action points of the nomination procedure for a HUC Steering Group member representing Nepal.

HUC Academy 2018 - Climate Science and Adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region: A Transdisciplinary Approach
2018-07-01 - 2018-07-14 | International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) – an Initiative under ICIMOD’s regional programme on Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks (MKAN) – has its mandate in developing an effective, sustainable network of universities in the HKH, in collaboration with academic, research and knowledge generating and exchange institutions both within and outside the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
Universities and research centres play a key role in generating and sharing knowledge on climate change and providing evidence for effective climate change impact mitigation policies and practices. They fill crucial knowledge gaps and infuse technical content into public discourse that can influence policy makers and public opinion. The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) was founded in 2007 with a mandate to develop an effective, sustainable network of universities in the HKH that collaborate with academic, research, and knowledge-generating institutions both within and outside the region for sustainable mountain development.
The HUC Academy is a flagship annual intensive programme of the Consortium, providing cross-disciplinary scholarship opportunities to young researchers. It aims to create a new generation of transformational leaders committed to mountain research, who are capable of producing consequential knowledge, innovative policies, and environmentally responsible business practices to address HKH mountain challenges with transboundary solutions. The four signature features of the HUC Academy are mountain focus; interdisciplinarity; field research; and, leadership.
The HUC Academy 2018, titled “Climate Science and Adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region – a Transdisciplinary Approach,” will take place in Kathmandu from 1 to 14 July 2018, as part of a two-year grant made to the HUC by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project aims to advance knowledge of climate science and promote effective and sustainable adaptation measures. It seeks to scale up the impacts of previous and existing Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) interventions to the HKH and promote regional collaboration between higher education institutions in India and neighboring countries.
The HUC Academy 2018 aims to:
– Enhance scientific and applied knowledge on issues of climate change and adaptation in the HKH region.
– Improve practical skills needed for competent academics, practitioners, and future leaders.
– Create an interdisciplinary network of teaching faculty and scholars in climate change and adaptation in and for the HKH.

Inception Meeting - SDC HUC Focus Grants 2018–2019
2018-07-01 | Hotel Himalaya, Nepal, Nepal
HUC aims to enhance collaboration among universities in the HKH and to promote centres of excellence on research topics that are relevant to the region. The inception workshop will bring together principal investigators of selected lead institutions and partners to foster regional collaboration in higher education and research for sustainable mountain development.
Objectives

Familiarize participants with the Himalayan University Consortium and the process of HUC Institutional Grants
Create common understanding about the project grant – its vision, goals, objectives, and implementation plans
Present the project to the project team, ICIMOD resource persons, and Swiss experts
Discuss the roles of various partners and stakeholders in project implementation and introduce the partnership approach
Ensure ownership, support, and commitment to project outputs by partners

Expected Outcomes

Partners have a shared understanding of the project and their respective roles
ICIMOD Resource Persons and Swiss experts interact with grantees to enhance project direction and plans

Second Meeting of HUC Thematic Working Group on Water
2018-06-06 - 2018-06-08 | Kunming, China, China
The HUC Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Water (Water Group) was established at the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) Annual Meeting in Chengdu in November 2017. During the first TWG meeting in New Delhi, India, in January 2018, several actionable points were finalized. This meeting will be held to formulate an implementation plan for those points. It aims to:

Develop a strategy paper on actionable points for the Water Group
Generate consensus among partner universities on key details of the operational framework of the WG – for example, governance, policy, roles and responsibilities, and joint action
Gather ideas for financial sustainability of the WG and short-term activities.

The HUC is an initiative under ICIMOD’s regional programme on Mountain Knowledge and Action Networks (MKAN) that has a mandate to develop an effective, sustainable network of universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), in collaboration with academic, research- and knowledge-generating and exchange institutions inside and outside the HKH.

Himalayan University Consortium India Members’ Meeting
2018-02-02 | Teri School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India, India
The Himalayan University Consortium has its mandate in developing an effective, sustainable network of universities in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. It does so in collaboration with academic, research, and knowledge generating and exchange institutions both within and outside the region. Over the past three years, there has been a renewed interest among existing members and increased interest among potential members. The total members increased from 33 in the beginning of 2016 to 61 by the end of 2017, among which there are new three members from India.
Of eight countries in the HKH, India contributes the largest number of full members, locating in both the Himalayan states and in New Delhi. Some of the members have taken the lead in a number of Consortium’s activities, such as joining an exposure visit to Bangladesh in May 2017, and joining and offering leading roles in the newly established Thematic Groups. This heightened ownership and leadership indicates a readiness for an India Chapter of HUC to be established, aiming to promote stronger collaboration between HUC full members in India and those of neighboring countries, as well as associate members.
Objectives
Senior representatives of HUC members in India will be discussing:

Objective and procedure to establish the HUC India Chapter and draft its by-laws and plan of action.
Procedure to nominate an HUC Steering Group member representing members in India for 2018.
A draft of the HUC Strategy and Action Plan I (2018–2022).
Potential funding sources for research and training collaboration among HUC members in India and members in the region and beyond.

Participants

Senior representatives of existing HUC members in India, led by the HUC Steering Group member, PP Dhyani, and facilitated by representative of co-organizer, TERI School of Advanced Studies.
Senior representatives of a number of higher education institutions focusing on sustainable mountain development will also be invited to selected sessions.

Expected Outcomes
The one-day meeting is expected to arrive at:

A summary and action points regarding the HUC India Chapter.
A summary and action points of a nomination procedure for the HUC Steering Group member.
A summary of comments and inputs to the HUC Strategy and Action Plan I (2018–2011).
A summary and action points regarding funding resources.

Exposure visit of HUC members to Water studying Institutions in India
2018-01-31 - 2018-02-01 | Teri School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India, India
Background
The Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) has its mandate in developing an effective, sustainable network of universities in the HKH, in collaboration with academic, research and knowledge generating and exchange institutions both within and outside the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. The HUC has received a grant from The World Bank (WB), under its South Asia Water Initiative Phase II, aiming to strengthen its network and members’ capacity in the field of water studies and management.
One of the key activities of the HUC WB Grant is to promote exchange between members with relatively weaker institutional and research capacity and those with stronger capacity. To this end, an exposure visit for delegations from HUC members in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal is being organized to provide an opportunity for interaction between delegations and water-focused higher education and research institutions in India.
TERI School of Advanced Studies (TSAS) has been a full member of HUC since October 2016. It has been taking the lead in capacity strengthening activities in the field of climate change and environmental science among HUC members. Its Coca-Cola Department of Regional Water Studies plays a key role in various activities of the HUC WB SAWI Grant. At the International Conference and HUC Annual Meeting in Chengdu in November 2017, TSAS representative offered to co-lead and host a Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Water.
TSAS was set up as a Trust by TERI—a not-for-profit, independent research institute recognized globally for its contribution to scientific and policy research in the realms of energy, environment, and sustainable development in 1998. The TSAS was known as TERI University from October 2006 to November 2017. Beyond its academic programmes, TSAS is actively reaching out to mid-career professionals and policy makers to sensitize them towards the environment and sustainable development in a systemic, solutions-oriented manner.
Objectives
A proposed exposure visit of HUC member delegations from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, to be co-organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and TSAS, aims to provide an opportunity for mid-/senior- career scholars in under-represented countries to interact with leading higher education and research institutions in India working on issues of water use, management, and policy. It will also be the kick-off meeting of the HUC TWG on Water.
In conjunction to this event, there will be a one-day meeting of senior representatives of existing and prospective HUC members in India, who will discuss the draft of the HUC Strategy and Plan of Action, the process to establish HUC India Chapter, and potential for collaboration and resource sharing across the Consortium.
Participants

Mid-/senior- environmental and social scientists in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal who have been conducting research on water related issues.
University administrators or research institute heads who make critical decisions on research and training directions on the issues.
Approximately 10–12 senior representatives of existing and prospective HUC members are expected to attend the first day of the HUC India Meet 2018.

Expected Outcomes

Delegates are expected to obtain updated knowledge on state-of-the-art water studies and training in higher education and research institutions in India and take active part in networking across the region.
A detailed consultation of a draft of the HUC Strategy and Plan of Action, a draft road map to establish the HUC India Chapter, and a specific plan for resource sharing and mobilization are expected to be achieved at the end of the first day of the HUC India Meet 2018.

International Conference on Mountain Waters and Livelihood, in conjunction with the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) Annual Meeting
2017-10-30 - 2017-11-01 | Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, China
The international conference brings together scholars from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and beyond to present state-of-the-art research on the theme of water and livelihood from mountain perspectives.
The Annual Meeting, on the other hand, gathers senior representatives from existing and potential Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) members to discuss ways to strengthen the network and foster regional collaboration in higher education, research, and training in and for the HKH.
These two back-to-back events, co-hosted by Sichuan University , are parts of the network strengthening and capacity building activities supported by the HUC grant from The World Bank under its South Asia Water Initiative (2017-2018).

HUC Academy 2017 - Disaster Risk and Water Management
2017-07-02 - 2017-07-12 | ICIMOD Headquarters, Kathmandu, Nepal
Introduction
South Asia is home to about 21 percent of the global population, but has only about eight percent of the world’s annual renewable water resources. Population growth and urbanization are major drivers of change and increasing water stress in the region. About one billion people live in the three large transboundary basins in the region, the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. These rivers that emanate from the Greater Himalaya are shared across borders between Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Climate change studies increasingly suggest that the effects of glacial melt, temperature variations, and erratic monsoon patterns will reduce the availability of water in the region and lead to a greater frequency of floods and droughts. Despite the frequency and transboundary impacts of these extreme events, cooperation between countries remains limited. Low per capita water availability, coupled with a very high relative level of water use, makes South Asia one of the most hydrologically vulnerable regions of the world. Conflicting demands on these international waters, increasing water demand, significant inter- and intra-annual hydrologic variability, weak water institutions, and a low level of transboundary cooperation, are the key water resources management challenges of the region. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) has one of the largest bodies of ice outside the polar ice caps, covering an area of more than 60,000 square kilometres. The glaciers, ice fields, and snow packs provide important intra- and inter-annual water storage facilities, and the mountains are often referred to as the “water towers” of Asia. They are the major source of surface water and groundwater during the dry season. They play a significant role in agriculture and food security, and also have the potential to play a vital role in energy security.

The HUC Academy
The HUC Academy is an annual intensive programme organized at ICIMOD or a member of the Consortium, providing opportunities for young researchers to engage in cross-disciplinary scholarship. It aims for a new generation of transformational leaders committed to mountain research, capable of producing consequential knowledge, innovate policies and environmentally responsible business practices to address HKH mountain challenges from transboundary perspectives. Its four highlighted features are:

mountain focus;
interdisciplinarity;
field-based research; and
leadership building

Objective
The first HUC Academy launched in July 2017 and focusing on Disaster Risk and Water Management aims to enhance scientific and applied knowledge on selected issues of water resource and water-related disaster management of the HKH.
Expected outcomes of the training are:

Improved knowledge of participants on the subject matters for research and training;
Course materials accessible online.

Mobilizing University Research for Tackling Water, Climate Change and Adaptation Challenges in Hindu Kush Himalayan Region
2016-10-24 - 2016-10-26 | Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, India, India
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is the source of ten large Asian river systems and provides water, ecosystem services, and the basis for the livelihoods of more than 210 million people in the South Asia region. Five of the eight HKH countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan — share twenty major rivers emanating from the Greater Himalayas. The basins of these rivers provide water to 1.3 billion people. The river flow regimes, the supply of water and food and energy security in the region are under direct impact from changes in temperature, precipitation and glacier dynamics. Due to the transboundary interconnectedness in water resources and its high relevance in regional stability and sustainable and inclusive growth, regional cooperation is imperative in the management and development of water resources. Regional integration and cooperative transboundary water resource management requires increased accountability and transparency of governments, improved technology, infrastructure, market access, delivery of services, and enhanced social institutions. Among the latter, universities and research centres play a key role in generating, sharing and disseminating knowledge on water resources and provide evidence for effective intergovernmental integrated water resources management policies and practice. Universities and research centres in the region, however, have largely not been able to fulfil their important tasks. This is mostly due to the lack of resources and inadequate institutional and research capacity. Moreover, an information sharing mechanism and platform as well as substantive coordinated efforts in creating and conducting collaborative research and training between institutions are seriously lacking. Himalayan University Consortium (HUC, est. 2007) has its mandate in developing an effective, sustainable network of universities in the HKH, in collaboration with academic, research and knowledge generating and exchange institutions both within and outside the region. This network engages top-notch professional women and men capable of undertaking high-quality research, education, teaching, and knowledge dissemination in service of a mountain-specific, sustainable, fair, and inclusive development for HKH communities and adjoining mountainous areas. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), one of HUC’s founding members and the current host of its secretariat, has recently made HUC its sixth regional programme, indicating a strong commitment to foster regional cooperation among research institutions. GBPNIHESD has been among the most active members of the consortium and a strategic implementing partner of ICIMOD.
The Purpose
The proposed International Conference titled “Mobilizing University Research for Tacking Water, Climate Change, and Adaptation Challenges in Hindu Kush Himalayan Region” aims to:

provide a forum for leading scholars in the HKH and beyond to present latest findings and discuss the current issues of the conference theme;
serve as a platform for HUC member university leaders to discuss potential collaborations in research, training, and policy interventions;
provide a venue for university leaders to meet with representatives from policy-making bodies and grant-making agencies for potential synergies in addressing the concerned issues.

Target Groups

leading environmental and social scientists in the HKH region and beyond who have been conducting research on the issues
high-level policy makers and senior practitioners working on water-related issues, policies and interventions
university leaders and research institute heads who make critical decisions on research and training directions on the issues
grant-makers, both government/public and international/inter- and on-governmental, whose work and decisions are relevant to the theme of the conference

Expected Outcomes

an upgrade of state-of-the-art scientific, inter- and multi-disciplinary knowledge on the concerned issues
lessons learned on what works in linking knowledge with policy and practice
discussions on the way forward in partnership building among HUC members for better collaboration in policy-oriented research and training
one or two pairs or groups of HUC members who are interested in proposal writing of the concerned topics are identified and formulated

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