Kathmandu: A historic tripartite cooperation agreement has been signed between Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE) in Kathmandu and Tono City, Japan, aimed at promoting student exchange in the tourism and hospitality sector.
The agreement will open internship opportunities for Nepali students in Japan and foster new dimensions of cultural exchange and human resource development between the two countries. The primary objective is to provide Nepali students with firsthand experience of the Japanese hospitality industry, contributing to the development of skilled manpower in the sector.
The partnership also seeks to promote international exchange and multicultural coexistence, with the belief that it could lay the groundwork for Japan to accept more international talent in the future.
The agreement was signed during a special virtual ceremony attended by representatives from GATE College, Tono City, and Tono Co., Ltd.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of Tono City, Kazuhiko Tada, expressed happiness over the agreement, calling it a meaningful step toward the internationalization of his city. “This cooperation offers students from Nepal valuable hands-on experience in Japan while also bringing fresh perspectives and cultural enrichment to our community,” said Mayor Tada.
He highlighted the challenges faced by Tono, including declining birth rates, an aging population, and labor shortages, and emphasized the city’s efforts to promote diversity and multicultural harmony. “This agreement marks a significant step in embracing global talent and internationalizing our region, and Tono City fully supports this initiative,” he added.
Tada further expressed hope that the agreement would deepen the relationship between Nepal and Tono, expanding both personal and cultural exchanges.
GATE College CEO Khem Lakai, recalling the institution’s long-standing collaborations with EHL Switzerland, Kathmandu University, and TAFE Australia, described the agreement as the beginning of a shared dream between Nepal and Japan. “This partnership is about building a family. The transformative experience our students will gain in Japan will be truly meaningful,” he said.
Suki Suzuki, CEO of Tono Co., Ltd., described the agreement as a key opportunity for developing tourism in rural Japan. He stressed the importance of building globally-minded human resources and fostering multicultural understanding to revive domestic tourism in rural areas.
“International interns working and learning in local areas not only help improve service quality but also contribute to creating a more welcoming environment for foreign tourists,” Suzuki said. He added that the initiative could play a crucial role in building sustainable tourism and strengthening ties between Nepal and Tono.
Under this agreement, GATE students will gain access to internship opportunities in tourism, accommodation, and hospitality sectors in Tono City, Japan.