Raj Kharel Email & Phone Number

Stavanger, Norway

SUNSET is a European Doctoral Network aiming to develop innovative research and training capacity around city-university interactions driving the EU’s twin green and digital transition. My particular role would be to assess the role of universities (and their R&D engagements) in promoting the twin transition (digital and sustainability) agenda of the European Union. I focus particularly on secondary/peripheral cities - which, over the years have tended to be left out.

Paris, Île-De-France, France

I have started an External Consultancy with the OECD's Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities

Kathmandu, Bāgmatī, Nepal

Furthering my passion for governance, subnational finance, and PFM, I have received an assignment at the World Bank in Nepal as an STC/researcher for the ‘Unlocking Citizen-Centric Service Delivery in Federal Nepal’ project. Under this project, I will be doing the following:▪ Leading desk research for the whole country, and field research for two provinces in Nepal, assessing the Federal, Provincial and Local government's readiness towards adopting digital governance - using the Bank’s Digital Government Readiness Assessment (DGRA) Toolkit as a guideline.▪ Collaborating with World Bank Partners, Federal, Local and Provincial Governments, and other stakeholders in data collection, validation, need assessment, and conceptualization of possible future interventions.▪ Hosting policy dialogues, interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders concerned with promoting digital governance in public service delivery within the region.I am looking forward to having a wonderful learning experience and an impactful journey in the digital governance sector of Nepal.

Kathmandu, Bāgmatī, Nepal

I am teaching a lovely cohort of BBA 3rd years on the fundamentals of regional economics and sustainable growth. Course includes ESG mindfulness, sustainable finance, impact investment etc. in the background of agglomeration, urban migration, unemployment etc. The goal is to get students to identify sustainable and scalable areas with competitive advantage and plug local products into the global value chain.

London, England, United Kingdom

I support three European Universities in recruiting the best students for their Bachelor, Master and Executive Masters Programmes. The three universities are Glion, Les Roches and Ecole Ducasse with campuses in Switzerland, France, Spain and the UK.Each week, I interview over 60 international candidates and qualify excellent ones for applications. I believe that this engagement has been a nice transition for me to pivot into a UK working culture.

Kathmandu, Bāgmatī, Nepal

I was summoned by Upaya's 'development team' to conduct rapid field-based research on the Agro-logistics of Province 1 in Nepal. The project was co-funded by Swiss Contact and involved intense fieldwork.▪ Managed a mixed-method research project across policymakers, local governments, market, and universitystakeholders about the agri-logistic value chain of Province 1 and Nepal’s trade relationships with India▪ Gained expertise on 3 ‘Economic Zones of Nepal’ – Cash Crops, Tea Estates and Cheese Zone▪ Synthesized data into actionable strategic plan leading to 150 thousand USD of investment by Swiss Contact

Lalitpur District, Nepal

USAID funded project concerning economic policymaking within local governments in a developing country.▪ Consulted 34 Local Governments of Nepal for policy development – drafting ways to address region-specific economic bottlenecks and risks – recruiting and leading a team of 38 independent researchers▪ Liaised over 10 business partnerships with clients, presented strategic plans, and led project implementation engaging the National Ministry, Local Governments, Media, Civil Societies, and Donors (FHI360/USAID)▪ Designed and delivered 2 workshops for municipal mayors and other clients on ‘Economic Governance’ in partnership with senior consultants like the former Chief Secretary of Nepal▪ Influenced national and subnational policies converting 38 economic research works into simple and actionable policy proposals and recommendations

Lund, Skane County, Sweden

As the first-ever Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator for Lund University Student Ambassador Programme, I was responsible for marketing, interviewing, recruiting, training and engaging 91 student ambassadors of Lund University from over 50 countries from all around the world. My role was pivotal for the program's expansion and sustainability - as it continues to grow even today.To do this, I had to constantly work on my designing, video editing, communicating, leadership and social skills. Simultaneously I also regularly created content for the university's website, Instagram (over 40 thousand followers) and Facebook (173 thousand followers). This boosted my graphic designing and content creation skills.The most important responsibility of this role was being culturally aware and sensitive as it involved working regularly with international students from all over the world.

Lund, Skåne County, Sweden

As an ambassador, I spoke with hundreds of prospective students who wanted to study or research at Lund University. I would communicate about the university, life experiences, departments etc.During this period, I also became the University's Instagram Ambassador (with 44 thousand followers) and posted content to communicate my University experience.

Thapathali, Kathmandu

# Led Nepal’s national team in the Philippines, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Bangladesh, Indonesia and India# Personally coached over 3000 students, participated in over 250 debates and organized over 25 large-scale national/international tournaments in Nepal. As the chair of the organization, I directed my team towards the organization's mission of 'institutionalising debating culture in Nepal'.I was primarily responsible for forming collaborations and maintaining partnerships with important partner institutions like UNDP in promoting SDGs, UN Women in promoting women in debating etc. I was also constantly working with government bodies like the Ministry of Education, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Budhanilkantha Municipality etc. to design and deliver need-specific projects/events relevant to these institutions. I also maintained good relationships with educational institutions. We formed strong ties and established debate clubs at St. Xavier's College, Rato Bangla School, Xavier Academy, Budhanilkantha School etc. Personally, I was also leading the social side of the organization by teaching debating and public speaking to students from rural villages all over Nepal. We managed a 30 days campaign in Eastern Nepal - reaching out to over 500 students of 21 schools - as well as other impactful projects in the most remote schools in Baitadi and Bajura in the far west. As a debater myself, I have participated in and maintained national records in 9 international tournaments as well as organized and judged dozens of national ones. I found great joy in being amongst youth, being inspired by them and teaching them the skills of logic and reasoning.As a chairperson, I also was responsible for staffing, budgeting, financing, and evaluating, as well as ensuring the constant evolution of the organization together with the Managing Director of the organization.

Thapathali, Kathmandu

Thapathali, Kathmandu

Nepal

In 2019, I had the opportunity to co-found an e-commerce business providing a platform for women in handicrafts to market and sell their products. We ran by the theme of 'sharing handmade happiness' and placed great importance on upskilling women to make premium products and sell in a premium market so that their labour saw the financial returns they deserved.Within 14 months, we were able to hire 4 women full-time and scale the business to serve approximately 300 clients each month - ensuring 10 times growth within 14 months.As a co-founder, I was responsible for day-to-day operations but also for strategic decision-making, company manoeuvring, hiring, branching and specifying operations, product design, digital presence etc. This was one of the most challenging yet the most rewarding experiences of my life. After the company matured, I exited the company (leaving it completely to the women) and continued in academia.

Master'S Degree, Local Economic Development

- Graduated with a Distinction - Advanced skills (distinction) in applied Quantitative Analysis, Econometrics, R and GIS Software - Gained.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Innovation And Regional Studies

Glad to begin a new life in Norway as a part of the European Union's SUNSET Doctoral Network! I am starting my PhD (who would've thought!).

Master Of Science - Ms, Welfare Policies And Management, Mostly As

Activities and Societies: Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (Merit-Based) Lund University Debate Society Marketing.

Summer School, Small State Leadership In Foreign And Security Policy, A

How can small states use their soft power in making a stand on a global stage? Sweden is leading the gender debates, the Nordics are.

Social Work

Activities and Societies: - Founding president of St. Xavier's Debate Club (SXDC) - Coached debate teams of SXDC in national.

Higher Secondary Education Degree, Science

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