Nutrition Training Builds Skills and Expertise in Nepal

The Feed the Future Food Security Innovation Laboratory: Collaborative Research on Nutrition is advancing Nepal’s capacity to address food insecurity and undernutrition by designing and implementing training programs for individuals across sectors.

With input from partners and the Government of Nepal, the Laboratory has trained participants from government, academia and the NGO community, increasing their skills in areas ranging from grant writing to advanced methodologies for applied research and nutrition programming. Nearly half of the trainees have been women.

To promote learning exchange and to support the long-term success of nutrition outcomes, the program also identifies candidates to receive advanced-degree training at U.S. universities. Today, seven Nepalis supported by the program are enrolled in Master’s and doctoral programs, with commitments to return to work in Nepal in areas linked to nutrition, health and agriculture.

One of the trainees, Sujay Bhattacharya, a social marketing specialist, was recruited for training at Johns Hopkins Summer Institute of Epidemiology and Biostatistics during the summer of 2012. There, he gained knowledge of cutting-edge analytical methods and hands-on experience in data analysis relevant to the translation of new findings in nutritional science into operational practice. He now applies his new skills, combined with his technical expertise, at a new job in Nepal’s Ministry of Health focused on nutrition in emergencies.  

Another trainee, Debendra Adhiakri, joined a Master’s degree program in nutrition at Tufts University. This education helped expand his understanding of multi-sectoral programming and nutrition. Debendra now works for USAID’s Mission in Nepal as a nutrition specialist, where he applies his skills to help support a healthier future for his country.