The Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Shmueli Arie Bass, held talks with Minister for Education, Science and Technology Raghujī Pant regarding the resumption of the agriculture internship programme for Nepali students in Israel. The meeting also included Joint Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry, Shiv Kumar Sapkota, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Minister Pant appreciated Israel’s continued support to Nepal across various sectors and requested updates on the internship programme. In response, Ambassador Bass shared that the programme, launched in 2001, has so far benefited over 4,000 Nepali agriculture students. Many of them, he noted, have gone on to contribute significantly to Nepal’s agriculture sector upon returning.
However, the programme had been suspended following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack. Ambassador Bass expressed concern that prolonged delays in resuming the process could result in Nepal missing out on sending nearly 1,000 interns this year-an important opportunity for advancing Nepal’s agricultural workforce. He urged the Ministry to direct universities to register eligible students promptly and facilitate their departure.
In response, the Ministry clarified that there are no current obstacles to student return and affirmed its commitment to increasing the quota in the coming year. Based on positive security assessments received from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepali Embassy in Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a notice confirming the return of normalcy in Israel and allowing the continuation of the programme under previous procedures, according to the press release by the Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu.
Authorities have been requested to expedite student registration, inform potential candidates, and coordinate closely with universities to ensure smooth processing, the embassy noted.
