Structure of Governing Council

The Governing Council of IIDS provides overall policy direction and guidance to the Institute and ensures its smooth functioning. The members of the Council also contribute professionally to the activities of IIDS and their areas of interest and competence. The Executive Director implements the decisions of the Council and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Institute. The Council is chaired by a chairman and consists of a treasurer, seven members, including some life members, and a member secretary, who is the Executive Director of the Institute.

The major functions are below:

a) formulate policies relating to the Institute;
b) make rules for the working of the Institute;
c) allocate resources of the Institute to different activities;
d) appoint an auditor for auditing the accounts of the Institute;
e) approve the annual Balance Sheet and the account of the Institute;
f) monitor and evaluate the activities of the Institute; and ,
g) make any other arrangements for the smooth functioning of the Institute.

Dr Mohan Man Sainju Chairperson Dr. Sainju, Formerly, Vice Chairperson National Planning Commission (NPC); Ambassador to the USA; Vice Chairperson, Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF); Executive Chairperson of IIDS.

Dr Mahesh Baskota Treasurer Dr. Baskota, Currently, Dean School of Arts Kathmandu University; Formerly, Associate Professor, Centre for Economic Development and Administration; Deputy Director, ICIMOD; Programme Director of Nepal Staff College.

Dr Bhekh B Thapa Life Member Dr. Thapa, Formerly, Member Secretary, National Planning Commission (NPC); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning; Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB); Finance Secretary; Minister of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Ambassador to the USA and India; Vice President, International Development Research Centre, Canada; and Resident Coordinator, United Nations System in Sri Lanka.

Dr Meena Acharya Member Dr. Acharya, Currently, General Secretary of a Research/Advocacy Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Tanka Prasad Acharya Memorial Foundation; Senior Advisor and Trustee of another action oriented NGO, SAHAVAGI; Formerly, Chief Economic Adviser to Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB); Past Executive Director, IIDS.

Ms Chandani Joshi Member Ms. Joshi, Formerly Regional Program Director of UNIFEM (UN Development Fund for Women), New Delhi office; Professor and Head of the English Department, Padma Kanya Campus; Joint Secretary and Chief of the Women’s Development Division, Ministry of Local Development.

Mr Khalil Miyan Member Mr. Miyan, Formerly Deputy Director, Agricultural Project Services Centre (APROSC); Senior Horticulture Officer, Department of Agriculture and Consultant at various National and International organizations including the FAO, ADB, World Bank and USAID; Currently working for Multi-Disciplinary Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

Mr Yubaraj Ghimire Member Mr. Ghimire, Formerly editor of Kantipur Daily Publication, Samay, and Newsfront publications; Previously associated with various Indian publication houses-The Telegraph (daily) and Sunday Magazine (1984-91), India Today (1992- early 1995), Assistant Editor of Outlook Magazine (1995 June—1998 Feb), Associate Editor Indian Express and BBC (Language service).

Dr Bishnu Dev Pant Member Secretary Dr. Pant, Currently, Executive Director, IIDS; Formerly, Director, Development Indicators Policy Research Division, the Asian Development Bank, Manila; Chief, Statistical Information and Service Section, United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, Bangkok; Advisor, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal; Professor, South Asian Institute of Management, Nepal (until recently).