| An Interview with
Dr. Hemant K. Paudel |
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What experience did you gain on your long journey from Nepal to Canada?
I was born in Dang located in the western part of Nepal. After completing high school from Nepalgunj, I went to Kathmandu for higher education. I was a chemistry lecturer at the Kirtipur Campus. In 1981, I won a Fulbright scholarship to pursue a graduate study in biochemistry in the USA. After obtaining a MS and a PhD in biochemistry from Okalahoma State University, I went to the University of Tennessee in Memphis for a postdoctoral training. After four years in Memphis, I moved to the University of Calgary in Canada and finally to McGill University in 1994 as an assistant professor. This year (2004), McGill University has honored me by granting tenure and promoting me to an associate professor. This is a short summary of the journey of my life. When I was coming to the USA as a Fulbright scholar, my goal was to obtain a PhD and go back to Nepal, teach at the university and raise my family. However during my 8 years of stay in Oklahoma followed by in Memphis, my children grew up and became more westernized. Anita (my wife) and I started to enjoy the western life style and the challenges that came along during our stay. Moreover, the political and economical situation in Nepal was continuously deteriorating. I therefore decided to pursue a career in North America. I have worked very hard to compete within the scholarly community in North America and to get this far. I have realized that to succeed, one has to have a goal and then work hard to accomplish the goal.
Is there any specific reason for selecting to reside in Quebec?
From the USA, I moved to Calgary, where I was a research associate at the University of Calgary researching on Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder that causes progressive brain degeneration and dementia especially in the elderly population. In North America, Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth human killer after cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer. My research at the University of Calgary discovered an important phenomenon, which promised new insights into the molecular mechanism of the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. My discovery was published in a very high impact scientific journal. McGill University offered me an assistant professor’s position to teach and to further research on Alzheimer’s disease. I accepted the offer and came to Montreal. McGill is a highly recognized university and I feel honored to be a part of this university.
Is Nepalese education enough for Nepalese immigrants in Canada?
I am not fully aware about the current education system in Nepal, but I know that now there are many private schools than in the past. My view is that high school curriculum in Nepalese schools gives emphasis on Mathematics and English to meet the international standards. Therefore, an individual with a high school diploma from Nepal should not have much problem in pursuing college education here in Canada or in the USA. However, the higher education offered by various Nepalese universities is not recognized here especially for employments. Many individuals holding diplomas from Nepalese universities therefore go to Canadian Universities to update their education. Many individuals who have updated their skills have obtained jobs in their respective fields.
How do you comment on ANQ activities?
In four years since ANQ war formed, although the Nepalese community has grown only slightly, number of ANQ members has increased substantially. There is harmony among ANQ members. Nepalese festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm. ANQ has created a platform where members gather and discuss. ANQ executive members have worked very hard to bring Nepalese community together in Montreal.
What are the challenges for Nepalese to adapt in Quebec?
When a Nepalese family moves to Canada, it will face several challenges. First challenge family members face is to find suitable jobs to earn at least enough to meet the family demands. This challenge often forces family members with college education to work for minimum wages.
Nepal is a culturally very rich country where various festivals and religious rituals are celebrated with great joy. These festivals and rituals are particularly important to women and children. Hence a new Nepali family in Canada faces a second but equally daunting social challenge. Family members find limited Nepalese friends around them and feel socially isolated. Women and children feel homesickness and miss their friends in Nepal.
A third challenge which we all have to face has surfaced recently due to the political unrest in Nepal. The current political turmoil does not appear to end soon. Nepalese in Canada are worried about their families and friends who are in Nepal facing the problems caused by the political crisis. Every Nepali today is sad thinking about the current situation of their great country, a country of Buddha who was first in human history to give a message of nonviolence and peace to the world. A country of Tenjing Sherpa, who displayed a great courage and selflessness, rarely found in human beings and quietly followed Edmond Hilary to the Everest peak. Every Nepali abroad is wondering what happened to the children of Buddha and Tenjing and why are they fighting among themselves taking their beloved country Nepal to the brink of civil war.
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