Vertical University, an education project in rural Nepal, was set up in 2015, with the aim of teaching students about nature and biodiversity.<br />
Vertical University, an education project in rural Nepal, was set up in 2015, with the aim of teaching students about nature and biodiversity.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Ganga Limbu (front) is a youth fellow for Vertical University. Since beginning work for the project three years ago, she has been trained in conservation, filming, computing and design.
Ganga Limbu (front) is a youth fellow for Vertical University. Since beginning work for the project three years ago, she has been trained in conservation, filming, computing and design.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Vertical University's curriculum is based on indigenous knowledge, and its professors are local farmers, herders and fisherman. <br />
Vertical University's curriculum is based on indigenous knowledge, and its professors are local farmers, herders and fisherman.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Some farmers teach the use of medicinal plants to the next generation. Here a farmer holds the medicinal plant ghodtapre, traditionally used to treat skin irritation.
Some farmers teach the use of medicinal plants to the next generation. Here a farmer holds the medicinal plant ghodtapre, traditionally used to treat skin irritation.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Nepal's diverse habitats are home to a vast range of animals, from elephants and rhinos, to tigers and snow leopards.<br />
Nepal's diverse habitats are home to a vast range of animals, from elephants and rhinos, to tigers and snow leopards.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Vertical University transports lessons outdoors, changing the concept of a classroom completely.
Vertical University transports lessons outdoors, changing the concept of a classroom completely.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Vertical University aims to sensitize students to the environmental challenges surrounding them. They believe a direct, sensorial form of learning is more impactful and engaging than typical rote learning.
Vertical University aims to sensitize students to the environmental challenges surrounding them. They believe a direct, sensorial form of learning is more impactful and engaging than typical rote learning.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Outdoor classrooms are called "learning grounds," essentially micro-conservation hubs in varying climates and elevations. <br />
Outdoor classrooms are called "learning grounds," essentially micro-conservation hubs in varying climates and elevations.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
So far, Vertical University has protected 300 acres of land in the form of 33 learning grounds. This benefits endangered species such as pangolins, snow leopards and red pandas.<br />
So far, Vertical University has protected 300 acres of land in the form of 33 learning grounds. This benefits endangered species such as pangolins, snow leopards and red pandas.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Within the learning grounds, Vertical University aims to teach 195 place-based modules, such as the water cycle or wetland filtration. <br />
Within the learning grounds, Vertical University aims to teach 195 place-based modules, such as the water cycle or wetland filtration.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
A group of students take part in an exercise about forest interrelations in the Pragati Chowk learning ground, Yangshila.
A group of students take part in an exercise about forest interrelations in the Pragati Chowk learning ground, Yangshila.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Students learn about pangolins, a critically endangered species in Nepal, due to a combination of poaching, illegal trade and loss of habitat.<br />
Students learn about pangolins, a critically endangered species in Nepal, due to a combination of poaching, illegal trade and loss of habitat.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Vertical University often puts on cinema nights for rural communities, showing films that aim to raise environmental awareness. Here they showed a documentary on pangolins in Yangshila.<br />
Vertical University often puts on cinema nights for rural communities, showing films that aim to raise environmental awareness. Here they showed a documentary on pangolins in Yangshila.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Eventually, Vertical University hopes to consist of six different campuses, all in different climatic zones, to teach students about Nepal's various landscapes. Here, the Kurule Tenupa campus is under construction.<br />
Eventually, Vertical University hopes to consist of six different campuses, all in different climatic zones, to teach students about Nepal's various landscapes. Here, the Kurule Tenupa campus is under construction.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Its lowest campus is situated in the wetlands of the Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve, a birdwatcher's paradise.<br />
Its lowest campus is situated in the wetlands of the Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve, a birdwatcher's paradise.
Courtesy KTK-Belt
Vertical University's highest campus will be at 4,600 meters (15,091ft), halfway up Kanchenjunga, the third tallest peak in the world. To finish construction of all the campuses Vertical University needs to secure funding. Its main source of money is via crowdfunding.<br />
Vertical University's highest campus will be at 4,600 meters (15,091ft), halfway up Kanchenjunga, the third tallest peak in the world. To finish construction of all the campuses Vertical University needs to secure funding. Its main source of money is via crowdfunding.
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