NSSW NEWS-2012

My Reflections:

My name is Paul van Essen from the Netherlands. In 2006 I gained the opportunity from Kadambari Memorial College for Science and Management (Nepal School of Social Work) to conduct my fieldwork for my Master of Science in International Development Studies at Wageningen University and Research Centre. Following a minor in International Land and Water Management I decided to conduct my research around socio-political issues around the Melamchi Water Supply Project. This research resulted in the thesis: “Governance in the Melamchi Water Supply Project, Nepal: Social struggle and project development”.

I could not have done my work without the support of Kadambari Memorial College for Science and Management. I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunity they have given to me. Their facilities at their school in Kathmandu, their wide network of people and organizations around Nepal and their passion and enthusiasm made my fieldwork very efficient and pleasant within an inspiring environment. Also their airport-pick up on my arrival in Kathmandu and their help in finding a place to live made it easier for me to find my way quickly at ease which made it possible to focus on my research. I enjoyed all the inspiring conversations I had with the initiators, teachers and students of Kadambari Memorial College for Science and Management and their capability to let me feel at home at a place so far away from my life in the Netherlands. I loved the mountain bike they let me borrow which made it awesome to explore Kathmandu Valley.

Being back in the Netherlands our ties are still strongly connected. I have warm memories of my stay in Nepal. In 2009 I went for a short work related trip to Nepal which made it possible for me to visit Kadambari Memorial College for Science and Management and witness myself the growth they have been going through since their establishment in 2005. In addition, in order to give more students of Wageningen University the opportunity to study in Nepal I tried to strengthen the connections between the two institutions. The study organization “Ipso Facto” of International Development Studies and “Otherwise”, Dialogue for Development (http://www.st-otherwise.org/) are now linked to Kadambari Memorial College for Science and Management. In this sense we can continue to contribute to the world of knowledge through exchange.