KATHMANDU: The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has commenced a Training of Trainers programme for its accredited instructors at the Training Institute for Technical Instruction (TITI) in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, in a move aimed at strengthening the teaching effectiveness and professional development of those who deliver the country's mountain guide training courses.

The programme was formally launched with opening remarks from NMA Chief Administrative Officer Jinesh Sindurakar and TITI Officiating Executive Director Kalpa Kumar Basnet, both of whom extended their best wishes to the participating instructors.

A total of 14 NMA-accredited instructors are taking part, drawn from the Professional Mountain Guide (PMG) and Professional Mountain Leader (PML) training programmes.

Three instructors — Dawa Tashi Sherpa SD, Sarki Sherpa, and Ram Kaji — are participating in their capacity as instructors for both the PMG and PML programmes. Five instructors are participating for the PMG programme: Pasang Lama, Lal Bahadur Jirel, Sanjib Gurung, RD Tamang, and Sudash Lama. The remaining six — Keshar Shrestha, Mani Kumar Rai, Krishna Kumar Magar, Man Bahadur Khatri, Dawa Chhiring Lama, Angeli Sherpa, Samip Mainaly, and Samyam Rumba — are participating as PML instructors.

NMA said it is confident the programme will enhance professional standards and instructional quality across its training courses, contributing to the overall calibre of mountain guides and leaders certified under its banner.