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Activities of the NRC

Scholarly assistance

The Nepal Research Centre (NRC) provides assistance to scholars from any country in preparing and carrying out research on Nepal by supplying information and other help at different stages of a research project. The NRC assists scholars in planning their work here more efficiently and in gearing their research, wherever possible, to the developmental needs of this country.

The NRC helps to arrange contacts with Nepalese colleagues in their area of specialization, and should they require field assistants, it aids in finding prospective candidates. The NRC, on the basis of its agreement of cooperation with Tribhuvan University and its long liaison experience, is in an excellent position to assist in providing contacts between Nepalese and foreign researchers both in the humanities and in the natural sciences. Furthermore, the NRC helps foreign scholars who come to do research in this country to complete the necessary formalities required under Nepalese law.

The NRC also helps scholars to arrange for interpreters or translators, or for private instruction in Nepali, Newari, Sanskrit, Tibetan and other languages relevant to their research.

Organizing lectures and workshops

The NRC periodically organizes lectures, seminars, discussions and get-togethers on a wide range of topics. Since it is generally the case that Western and Japanese scholars tend to publish their research findings in their respective countries, and a great bulk of that often in their own language, it is our specific policy to encourage scholars to communicate their findings directly here in Nepal in the form of a publication or a public lecture in English. In fact, every scholar working under the auspices of the NRC is expected to make some sort of presentation locally. At the same time we also try to encourage young Nepalese scholars to present the results of their research to a broader public, and therefore offer our premises to them to hold public lectures followed by informal discussions.

Publications

The NRC sponsors the publication of a series of monographs, miscellaneous papers and the Journal of the Nepal Research Centre. It also works on compiling the Nepalese National Bibliography in cooperation with the Tribhuvan University Central Library. Under its auspices, too, the Preliminary List of Manuscripts, Blockprints and Historical Documents Microfilmed by the NGMPP has been published.

Facilitating NGMCP

The NRC provides work space, facilities and other assistance to projects which are in need of a continuous representation in Kathmandu, first and foremost to the Nepalese-German Manuscript Cataloguing Project (NGMCP) initiated in April 2002. The NGMCP is a joint venture between the National Archives under the Department of Archaeology, Government of Nepal, and the Asia-Africa Institute of the University of Hamburg, Germany. Its overall goal is to establish a detailed online catalogue of the manuscripts microfilmed by the Nepal-German Manuscript Preservation Project.

The NRC places, whenever possible, technical equipment such as microfilm readers and PCs at the disposal of visiting Nepalese and foreign scholars.

Ordering microfilm copies from the National Archive, Kathmandu

Any individual or institution can order microfilm copies of manuscripts filmed during the 31 years of activities by the Nepal-German Manuscript Preservation Project. Access to the microfilms is possible at the National Archives in Kathmandu and at the Oriental Department of the State Library in Berlin (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Orientabteilung). The unique collection can be examined in person both in Kathmandu and in Berlin.

As the National Archives in Kathmandu currently cannot handle orders from abroad, the NRC has agreed to supply this service to the public. The NRC offers facilities for placing orders for microfilm copies, and makes every effort to guarantee a speedy and reliable processing of the orders at the National Archives in Kathmandu. As of June 2008, the costs for a microfilm copy are 25 NPR per folio plus 55 NPR per foot of microfilm (approx. 6 folios), for a print-out on paper 60 NPR per folio, and for digital photographs taken from the original documents 125 NPR per folio.

According to the agreement between the Government of Nepal and the German Oriental Society (Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft), only the National Archives has the right to provide microfilm copies. In acknowledgement of the contribution of the German Research Council (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), however, native German speakers (Austrians, Germans and Swiss) may place orders with the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin. The cost per folio there is currently 0.50 € plus postal charges.

Inquiries about the availability of individual texts can be directed to the offices of the Nepalese-German Manuscript Cataloguing Project, whether in Hamburg or in Kathmandu. Orders meant to be forwarded to the National Archives in Kathmandu should contain the necessary details (title, reel number and number of folios), and can be submitted to the NRC for further processing.

Meeting place

The NRC exudes a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. Traditionally it has served as a convenient meeting place where scholars from both Nepal and abroad can get in touch with each other and exchange ideas and experiences.

Visitors to the NRC are invited to join in for lunch with Nepali tea at one o'clock from Monday through Friday. Please announce by ten o'clock the same day. A nominal contribution to cover the costs for the meal is requested.