, ee pred ca etimentot MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between, DEPARTMENT OF ROADS (DoR) and SOCIETY OF TRASPORT ENGINEERS NEPAL (SOTEN) FOR Commitment and collaboration in knowledge sharing, policy dissemination and capacity building in the Road Transport sector.MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) ‘This Memorandum of Understanding (hereafter MOU) is signed on August 4, 2021 to confiem the collaboration and cooperation between Department of Roads (hereafter DoR) and Society of Transport Engineers Nepal (hereafter SOTEN) to play suitable roles jointly with shared responsibility for the knowledge sharing, policy dissemination and capacity building in the field of road transport. Hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Parties” and each separately as a “Party” Whereas, DoR is responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways in consistent to the policies, programs and legal framework of Government of Nepal. Whereas, SOTEN, is a professional society registered as a non-profit entity in Kathmandu District Administrative Office and functioning for the knowledge generation, sharing, and dissemination in the transport sector. Acknowledging that, the Parties share similar missions and wish to cooperate in the areas of mutual concem to enhance the effectiveness of their development efforts in the road transport sector in Nepal; NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree to cooperate as follows: ARTICLE I: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 1.1 DoR, is responsible for the development and management of National Highways in Nepal. During the execution of the various activities in this sector, DoR tackles countless and diverse issues in technical as, ‘well as policies issues. Tt needs to carryout continuous research and development activities with the adequate human resources to minimize such issues in course of program implementation. In addition, it needs to be accountable to the concerns raised by public and sectoral professionals. As, SOTEN being the professional society of transport engineers in Nepal associated together for voluntary contribution in transport field, it has a collective expertise and public sincerity for fullling the resource gap of for sectoral context. Furthermore, SOTEN is committed to inspiring professionalism for member-engineers with the ultimate benefit to the nation. This makes a sound platform for the mutual collaboration between DoR. and SOTEN for the better road transport sector. 1.2 The purpose of this MOU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration between the Parties in areas of common interest. 1.3 Main objective of the joint initiation is to create a common platform for the enhancement of efficiency of| road transport service backed by the good quality road infrastructure. The joint effort shall be focused on the matters of planning, designing, construction, operation and maintenance road infrastructure. The ultimate goal of this commitment is to identify issues related to policy, planning, technical and sou ge Ee ideas for resolving them based on sustainable mobility andsector such as development of technical documents for project preparation, quality control, capacity building, and road asset management. ARTICLE II: AREAS OF COOPERATION ‘The Parties agree to cooperate and collaborate in the following areas of activities but not limited to:- 2) Conducting joint Research Studies, Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, interactive meetings on the contemporary issues, 'b) Publication of technical documents, and periodicals, ©) Capacity building of engineers and managers engaged in the road sector, 4) Dissemination of public policies, rules and directives for creating consensus, and confidence building for the implementation such initiatives, 2.2 The activity schedule as mentioned in 2.1 will be jointly planed and implemented based on the available resources for each fiscal year. The contribution of each party for these activities would be separately agreed before the program execution, In these activities, the role of DoR and SOTEN would strengthen the technological and professional capacity for the nation building, Therefore, parties have initiated this collaborative attitude for the achievement of ultimate goal of better road infrastructure ensuring safety, economic, reliable, comfort and rapid transport service from the road engineering prospective ARTICLE ITI: CONSULTATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION 3.1 The Parties will, on a regular basis, keep each other informed of and consult on matters of common interest, which in their opinion are likely to lead to mutual collaboration. 3.2 Consultation and exchange of information and documents under this Article shall be without prejudice to arrangements, which may be required to safeguard the confidential and restricted character of certain information and documents. 3.3 The Patties shall, at such intervals as deemed appropriate, convene meetings to review the progress of activities being carried out under the present MOU and to plan future activities. 3.4 The Parties may invite each other to send observers to meetings or conferences convened by them or under their auspices in which, in the opinion of either Party, the other may have an interest Invitations, if any, shall be subject to such rules and procedures. ARTICLE IV: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOU 4.1 The parties paawinitiate the joint activities within the scope of the MoU after signing this MoU. Ginn de other supplementary agreements for the implementation of this43 The Parties agree to recognize and acknowledge their cooperation, a8 appropriate. To this end, the Parties shall consult with each other concerning the manner and form of such recognition and acknowledgement 44. An annual activity report shall be prepared by the SOTEN and submitted to DoR for each fiscal year. 45 On behalf of DoR, the DDG, the Chief of Planning and Monitoring Branch will be contact person for regular update of activities and implementation of this MoU. 4.6 On behalf of SOTEN, Vice President will be contact person for regular update of activities and implementation of this MoU. ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT AND GENERAL PROVISIONS 5.1 This MOU shall remain in force unless terminated by either Party. Either Party may terminate this MOU by giving three (3) months? written notice to the other Party. 5.2 In the event of termination of this MOU, any supplementary agreements may also be terminated in accordance with the termination provisions contained in such agreements 5.3 This MOU may be amended only by mutual written agreement of the Parties. 54 All the parties shall carry out all services under this MOU with due diligence and efficiency. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorized representative of DoR and SOTEN, have signed this MoU and agree to abide and adhere to articles mentioned above. ‘This MOU is drawn up in two original copies and each party will receive one. President, SOTEN Dikeror Geng * ‘pie Wines: Ge rarusestor nay Sasa ie Spo Vice President, SOTEN lie, Planning nd Monitoring Branch ‘MoU between DoR and SOTEN 4