Educationpatra, Kathmandu. In an exciting development, 50 students pursuing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from Sudurpaschim University are set to embark on an 11-month agricultural exchange program in Israel. Despite their time abroad, their studies will continue uninterrupted, as they will have the opportunity to earn while studying and will only return to Nepal after submitting their theses to the college.
This student exchange program is a collaborative effort between Sudurpaschim University and the Embassy of Israel in Nepal. The aim of the program is to expose Nepalese students to modern agricultural technologies implemented in Israel. Lal Prasad Amgai, the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Far West University, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, “We have started this program with the aim that the students here will learn agricultural technology after reaching Israel, which is modernized in agriculture.” The participating students will have the chance to earn money during their stay.
The selection process for the program involved a team of professors from Sedot Negev College, along with the presence of Hanan Godar, the Ambassador of Israel to Nepal. Out of the 55 students who applied, a group of talented students was chosen from Tikapur multipurpose campus.
While the students are responsible for purchasing their own air tickets, other expenses will be covered through the collaboration between the university and the embassy. According to Israeli labor laws, the students who perform well can earn a minimum wage and potentially more. It is estimated that the students will earn at least one lakh rupees per month during their time in Israel. The students are scheduled to depart for Israel in September.
Expressing their excitement and gratitude, one of the participating students, Luis Rizal, highlighted the significance of this opportunity, stating, “In Nepal, farmers and those who study agriculture are not taken seriously. This opportunity has increased self-strength. There will also be some income.” Another student, Sushma Regmi, emphasized the value of gaining skills and technical knowledge that they can bring back to Nepal.
This exchange program not only strengthens the diplomatic ties between Nepal and Israel, where only two percent of the population is involved in agriculture yet they export food, while in Nepal, despite 60 percent of the population working in agriculture, the country relies on food imports. Ambassador Goder emphasized the need for modernization in Nepal’s agricultural sector and expressed his hopes that this program would contribute to the country’s development.
Upon completing a 280-hour course and submitting their theses to the college in Israel, the students will return to Nepal after their enriching 11-month experience.
This exchange program not only offers a valuable learning opportunity for the participating students but also strengthens the ties between Nepal and Israel. Through this initiative, young agricultural entrepreneurs in Israel will have the chance to share their knowledge and expertise with Nepalese students, fostering mutual growth and development in the field of agriculture.
