Nanjing, China – October 22, 2025 — Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), also the Regional Training Centre Nanjing of World Meteorological Organization, launched on October 22, 2025 the Seminar on Earthquake Disaster Monitoring and Response for Central and South Asian Countries with the full support of Ministry of Commerce of China in Nanjing, capital of eastern Jiangsu Province in China. The opening ceremony was held at the 425 Met Building, East Campus, NUIST, and was chaired by Mr. Wang Yong, Deputy Director of WMO RTC Nanjing.

In her welcome address, Prof. Wang Suchun, Executive Director of WMO RTC Nanjing, warmly welcomed the participants from Nepal and Uzbekistan. She introduced NUIST as a prestigious 65-year-old institution recognized under China’s “Double First-Class” and Jiangsu’s “High-Level University” initiatives. With over 39,000 students and 2,300 faculty members across 25 schools and colleges, NUIST is globally renowned for its excellence in atmospheric sciences, geoscience, engineering, and environmental studies.

Prof. Wang highlighted NUIST’s leadership in disaster management research, including the establishment of the Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster and Emergency Management, and its involvement in national projects like landslide monitoring along the Sichuan-Xizang Railway. She emphasized the importance of the seminar in building resilience against seismic hazards, particularly in regions like Nepal, which have experienced devastating earthquakes in recent years. She also mentioned the upcoming collaboration between Duke University and Tribhuvan University on a seismic early warning system for Kathmandu, encouraging participants to contribute their expertise to such initiatives.

Representing the participants from Nepal and Uzbekistan, Sunil Duwal, Principal of Khwopa College of Engineering, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for hosting this timely and impactful seminar. He emphasized the shared seismic vulnerabilities of Central and South Asian countries, particularly those along the Himalayan belt, and stressed the need for regional cooperation, scientific innovation, and technological advancement in disaster preparedness and response. He also thanked the People’s Republic of China and the world for its support during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, which saved the lives of many people in Nepal.

Mr. Duwal highlighted Nepal’s ongoing efforts in earthquake resilience, citing the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake and the significant role of Bhaktapur Municipality in reconstruction and cultural heritage preservation. He proudly introduced the Khwopa Circle—a network of seven higher education institutions run by Bhaktapur Municipality—and emphasized the contributions of Khwopa Engineering College and Khwopa College of Engineering in technical education and post-disaster recovery.

He noted that Khwopa Engineering College is the first institution in Nepal to offer a Master’s program in Earthquake Engineering, aimed at producing skilled professionals capable of addressing the country’s seismic challenges. The colleges have been instrumental in damage assessment, structural design, and supervision of heritage reconstruction projects in Bhaktapur, aligning with the municipality’s vision of building a resilient, self-reliant city.

Along with Mr. Duwal, representing Khwopa’s academic leadership at the seminar, are Dr. Subeg Man Bijukchhen, Vice Principal, Khwopa Engineering College; Dr. Manjip Shakya, Head of Department, Earthquake Engineering, Engineering College; and Er. Anil Kasula, Deputy Head of Department, Civil Engineering, Khwopa College of Engineering. The team presented a token of love from Khwopa to the organizer and to the professors. The seminar features expert-led lectures, hands-on training, and field visits to earthquake monitoring and response facilities in Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces. Participants will explore advanced technologies such as multi-source remote sensing, satellite and aerial data applications, and seismic early warning systems. The knowledge and networks developed through this seminar are expected to further empower Khwopa’s mission to foster resilient communities through education, research, and innovation.