Newsletter July 2022 -

USEF-Nepal / Fulbright Nepal Newsletter – July 2022

July 2022

Message From The Commission

Namaste!

As we enter the mid-way point of 2022, we are busy managing various programs that are currently open, completing application reviews, preparing selected Nepalese grantees for their departure to the U.S. this Fall, connecting with grantees who have arrived back in Nepal upon successful completion of their programs in the U.S. and, of course, conducting outreach and information programs. Similarly, we continue to manage the American students and scholars currently in Nepal.

Humphrey session at iHub

The Fulbright Commission in collaboration with American Spaces conducted a Humphrey Information & Interaction Session at Innovation Hub Kathmandu, Teku on Tuesday, June 28.

The Innovation Hub, is a joint partnership between the U.S. Embassy, Kathmandu and the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and is one of nine American Spaces throughout Nepal. It offers a wide range of resources for entrepreneurs and students.

Senior Program Officer Rakchhya Maharjan gave insight into the prestigious Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program, its various components and the AY 2023-24 application process.

Left to Right: Senior Program Officer Rakchhya Maharjan, Humphrey Fellows Govinda Raut and Shradha Shrestha

This interactive session gave participants the opportunity to connect with and hear from past and present Humphrey Fellows Shradha Shrestha (AY 2021) and Govinda Raut (AY 2022). They answered questions about the Fellowship and provided tips on submitting a strong application. Click here to apply by the July 23 deadline.

USEF-Nepal’s Pre-Departure Orientation #1

EducationUSA department conducted a Pre-departure Orientation session, on June 23 at the Commission, for students who have acquired a U.S. student visa. Participants had the opportunity to learn from U.S. college alumni about the culture, academics and life in the U.S. to prep them for their time there.

In this session, AY 2020-21 Fulbright Foreign Student (Master’s) grantee Ashesh Shrestha shared his experiences and tips with the participants. Ashesh completed his Master’s in Economics at University of Texas, Austin.

Ashesh Shrestha speaking at the Pre-Departure Orientation

Fulbright Highlights

Congratulations to the Fulbright Foreign Student (Master's) Program AY 2022-23 Grantees.

This cohort of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP) grantees consisting of Sandeep Badal, Sikuma Rai, Gajendra Bhattarai and Bhushita Vasistha will be attending their respective universities this Fall to pursue two years of a fully funded Master's Degree Program in their chosen field.

You can learn more about the grantees by visiting the Grantees Profiles page. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program opens in February annually.

EAC Highlights

USEF-Nepal welcomed its twelfth and newest batch of students to our EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program! This group of 15 talented students will apply for admissions and scholarships at U.S. colleges and universities for Fall 2023 admission. The Program funds select up-front costs of the application to U.S. institutions, providing increased access to U.S. higher education.

Learn about the OF Program: www.usefnepal.org/opportunity

Alumni Feature

Ms. Trishna Rayamajhi

Trishna Rayamajhi is a Fulbright Foreign Student (Master's) Program 2019-2021 grantee. Trishna is pursuing MS in Natural Resources at Cornell University. Her concentration is in Wildlife Science.

Pictured here, she is conducting a camera trap and signs (direct observation, footprints, scats) survey of Asian wild dog, commonly known as Dhole (Cuon alpinus) in Parsa National Park.

Trishna’s study is the first research primarily focused on Dholes in Nepal and is funded by the United States Geological Society. The study aims to uncover ecological information about where Dholes occur, what factors are contributing to their occurrence, and what are their preferred prey species. Trishna, along with her team of wildlife technicians, installed camera traps in 45 different locations throughout the Parsa National Park for one-month and have been conducting a sign survey (direct observation, scats, and/or footprints of Dholes) since March 2022.

Trishna will confirm if the scats belong to Dholes and will determine the sex ratio of Dholes through genetic tests. Further, she will analyze the prey composition and biomass on the genetically confirmed scat samples. This research will help in conserving Dholes’ habitat by identifying the factors associated with the highest predicted probability. Further, this information can be used to assess changes in Dhole occupancy patterns over time. Information on the Dhole diet will come up with the relative biomass and the relative number of preys consumed by Dholes that will reveal the relative selection pressure that Dholes exert on prey species and the role of Dhole in ecological stability. Ultimately, this study will provide the baseline ecological and genetic information of Dhole in Nepal and serve as a basis for future research to ensure the continued survival of this endangered species in one of its last strongholds.

Articles by and Featuring our Alumni

Nepal’s mountains are melting

Article by Fulbright Senior Scholar Alton C. Byers in Nepali Times

Why are police so quick to shoot during protests in the Tarai?

Article by Bhrikuti Rai in The Record

Fatal Discrimination

Article by Seema Subedi in Nepali Times

Tourism in digital era

Article by Sujeev Shakya in The Kathmandu Post

Money grows on trees here

Article by Sahina Shrestha in Nepali Times

60 years of living dangerously

Article by Kunda Dixit in Nepali Times

Chasing the European dream

Article by Bhrikuti Rai in The Record

Opportunities and Events

July 2022

Fulbright

AY 2023-2024 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program Application

Open From June 2 till July 23

Fulbright Specialist Program Opens

Open throughout June till August 14

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program (for American citizens)
Open throughout June till September 15

Fulbright U.S. Student Program (for American citizens)

Open throughout June till October 11

EAC / Prometric

TOEFL Test
July 3, 9, 23, 30

ACT Test
July 16

Resume Writing Session
July 20

USEF-Nepal’s Pre-Departure Orientation #2

July 21

Fulbright Nepal

USEF-Nepal

USEF-Nepal / Fulbright Commission / EducationUSA Advising Center

Aakriti Marg, Maharajgunj, 44600, Kathmandu

Newsletter Archive

News and Announcements

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program 2025-26

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program 2025-26 Visiting Scholar Program deadline- 11:59 PM November 11, 2024 The Fulbright Commission in Nepal welcomes applications for the AY2025-26 Visiting Scholar Program! Each year, roughly 900…

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