11 October, 2026
Winter School 2026
Application of Field and Remote Sensing techniques for Cryosphere Hazard studies
The Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Tribhuvan University, is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 4th Winter School in partnership with the Kathmandu Center for Research and Education (KCRE), the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), France and International Association of Cryosphere Sciences (IACS). The Winter School has been organised since 2022 (the 2025 edition was cancelled due to the prevailing political situation in the country). It is open to university students, early-career professionals, and researchers from Nepal, Pakistan, China, India, and Bhutan, as well as cryosphere enthusiasts from around the world. The previous Winter Schools was focused mainly on glacier mass balance and hydrology (field and remote sensing methods); however, given the increasing cryosphere hazards in High Mountain Asia (HMA), this Winter School will focus on risk assessment (natural hazard and vulnerability). The primary focus of this school is to engage university students and early‑career professionals in generating projections of future discharge and to model cryospheric hazards while involving communities in these activities. By training local and regional scientists, we seek to contribute to our understanding of the changing environments in HMA and their long-term impact on the livelihoods of millions of people in the region
Format: The school comprises theoretical sessions, with fully hands-on tutorials, followed by direct field exercises in the Everest region of Nepal (xx selected participants) and group projects and presentations, where participants work in small teams on one problem and present their results at the end of the course.
Course content:
1. Theoretical lectures will introduce the participants to:
2. Training sessions on the topic of hazard assessment will focus on combining field and remote sensing techniques to monitor the cryosphere:
3. Training sessions on risk management from a socio-economic perspective will provide skills to:
Expected Outcomes
Through this Winter School, we aim to increase institutional capacity equipped with advanced knowledge of glaciological concepts, remote sensing, and modeling; build a cohort of young researchers capable of integrating field/lab-based based glacier monitoring and establish cross-border networking among experts, researchers, and young scientists and students in the field.
Important dates
Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Who can apply?
The course is open to Masters and PhD students, early-career professionals and researchers. Priority will be given to those who have an interest in cryosphere science and a basic understanding of earth sciences or a relevant background. Requirements are:
Scholarships:
Full and partial scholarships are available for all participants. The full scholarship covers round-trip airfare, local transportation, accommodation, and meals throughout the winter school. The partial scholarship covers local accommodation and meals during the theory and hands-on sessions in Kathmandu. Applicants affiliated with academic or research institutions in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan are eligible for full scholarships, while applicants of any nationality can apply for partial scholarships.
Self-Funded Participation: Applicants may participate at their own expense, subject to availability and approval by the organizing committee
How to apply?
Candidates are invited to apply through the provided link.
For comprehensive information and application details, please refer to the information provided above.
Contact:
Dr. Dibas Shrestha (Email: dibas.shrestha@cdhm.tu.edu.np, Mob. No: 9841420676)
Dr. Adina Racoviteanu, Research Scientist, Institute of Research for Development, France, email: Adina.Racoviteanu@ird.fr