It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that I have assumed the role of Executive Director at the Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC). I am humbled to lead this esteemed institution which has long served as a cornerstone for enhancing public sector capacity, advancing administrative efficiency, and contributing to the development of a capable civil service in Nepal. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of Nepal for entrusting me with this responsibility. I pledge to lead with the vision of sustaining NASC as a ‘Center of Excellence in Learning and Development’. Our core values- Integrity, Innovation, Team Spirit, Responsibility, and Respect- will guide my decisions, actions and behavior in this journey.
Today, Nepal stands at the intersection of transformation, marked by the deepening of federalism, growing public expectations, and rapid technological advancement. In this context, role of NASC is even more crucial to build capacity of individuals and institutions to make civil service a more responsive and accountable system that upholds public trust and ensures effective service delivery at all levels.
NASC’s current strategic orientation (2079/80-2083/84) emphasizes four interrelated pillars: a) strengthening public sector competence through capacity development programs, b) producing and promoting policy-relevant research, c) modernizing organizational practices for improved efficiency, and d) fostering partnerships to amplify national impact. These strategic priorities are designed to respond to the evolving demands of public administration for service as well as institutional reforms.
NASC’s institutional strengths lie in its legacy of public trust, a strong team of committed professionals, and a unique mandate that bridges theory, practice, and innovation in public administration. Its diverse portfolio; ranging from executive training programs like the Senior Executive Development Program, in-service training programs, and Basic Administration Training to sectoral research and advisory support, including organization development interventions for various public organizations enables NASC to serve as both a knowledge institution and a capacity-building partner to all levels of government. Our specialized Center for Federalism Studies further underscores our commitment to strengthening the federal system.
In the era of digital governance, NASC must also embrace emerging technologies that are shaping the future of public service. Artificial Intelligence (AI), in particular, holds great potential to improve decision-making, enhance service delivery, and optimize administrative processes. As a learning organization, NASC will begin to explore the use of AI in training design, research analytics, and performance assessment, building upon our implementation of a robust training management system and the introduction of self-paced learning modules. At the same time, we need to prepare civil servants to understand the ethical, practical, and governance implications of AI and use it appropriately to strengthen accountability and innovation across the public sector.
In the coming years, NASC will focus on enhancing the quality and relevance of its training programs. Our goal is to deliver impactful, practice-based learning experiences that help build capable and ethical leaders in public service. Special emphasis will be placed on modernizing delivery methods through the integration of blended and e-learning approaches, making our programs more accessible and responsive to the changing needs of our participants. Parallel to this, we aim to strengthen our research and knowledge functions so that NASC becomes a dynamic center for policy-oriented inquiry and administrative innovation.
Collaboration and partnership will be essential to our success. We will expand our engagement with government agencies, academia, development partners, and international training institutions. Such partnerships will enable knowledge exchange, capacity building, and global exposure for our faculty and participants, while also positioning NASC as a platform for collaborative learning in South Asia.
As a leader of this historic institution, I will rely on the commitment, expertise, and dedication of NASC’s faculty, staff, and wider community of stakeholders. Together, we will work toward transforming NASC into a globally recognized center of excellence, an institution that not only enhances capacity of service providers, but also inspires them for taking initiatives and making a difference in public service.
At this precious moment of continuing historic legacy of the institution, I extend my sincere appreciation to preceding leadership, the Government of Nepal and all who have contributed to NASC’s progress over the years. I look forward to continued support in this journey as we collectively strive to strengthen public administration for serving the nation and its people.
Ram Sharan Pudasaini
Executive Director
2082/03/16