Announcement of Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars Credit for Technical Education in Nepal on March 2, 1978

FO.R tMMEDIATE RELEASE • I •World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. • Telephone: (202) 393-6360 IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 78/42 MARCH 2, 1978 $5.7 MILLION CREDIT FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN NEPAL The International Development Association (IOA) j an affiliate of the World Bank, today announced the approval of a credit of $5.7 million for a project designed to increase the supply of qualified engineering techni- cians needed to help Nepal implement its development projects and programs. Shortage of trained technical manpower -- particularly of junior and senior engineering technicians - has been one of the critical bottle- necks in Nepal's development process. There is an urgent need to alleviate the shortage . • The $7.8 million project includes facilities and equipment for the Institute of Engineering of the Tribhuvan University in order to improve the quality of existing teaching programs for about 1,000 students at the certi- ficate level and about 200 students in remedial courses, and to establish a new training program for about ~30 students at the diploma level. The United Kingdom Ministry of Overseas Development is financing related staff training and specialist services. The project was prepared by the Government of Nepal with assis- tance provided under the UNESCO/World Bank Cooperative Program. The IDA credit to Nepal is for 50 years, including 10 years of grace. It is interest free except for a service charge of 3/4 of 1% per annum. - 0 - • NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents. FORM NO.1121 (5-76) T E CHN I CA L D A T A PROJECT: COUNTRY: TOTAL COST: Technical Education Nepal $7. 8 mi 11 ion • IDA FINANCING: $5.7 million credit, standard IDA terms OTHER FINANCING: Ministry of Overseas Development United Kingdom The Government of Nepal IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Project Implementation Unit Institute of Engineering Tribhuvan University Pulchowk ~athmandu, Nepal. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project includes facilities and equipment for the Institute of Engineering of Tribhuvan University in order to: (a) strengthen the quality of existing teaching programs for about 1,000 students at the certificate level (Grades 11-12) and about 200 students in remedial. courses; and (b) establish a new training program for about 430 students at the dip- loma level (Grades 13-15). Related staff training and specialist services, will be financed by the Ministry of Overseas Development of the United Kingdom. P~OCUREMENT: Contracts of civil works (which are small and as such unlikely to attract foreign bidder) will be awarded on the basis of competitive bidding advertised locally. Furniture and equipment contracts over $50,000 would be awarded on the basis of international competitive bidding. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1982 - 0 - •