FIMM

RIBB- FIMM: Developing research bridges between Nepal and Finland

The Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (RIBB) was founded in the year 2011, with a vision of ‘Empowering Nepal through the sustainable use of biodiversity: Inspiring innovation, transforming lives’. It is a leading, non-profit academic research organization that aims to deliver insight, innovation, and leadership in today's interdisciplinary and dynamic research environment.

Along with conducting high quality research since its inception, RIBB realized the need for a platform for scientific engagement where researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, and stakeholders from around the world could come together to discuss and collaborate on advancements in bioscience and biotechnology. The International Conference on Bioscience and Biotechnology (ICBB) was initiated in 2016 to act as a platform to connect beautiful minds from around the globe. The second edition of ICBB, organized in 2018, themed Avenues of translational biomedical research in Nepal [1] brought 14 scientists from the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of Helsinki to Dhulikhel, Nepal. The discussions highlighted the potential of Nepal and its researchers to contribute to biobank-based studies that utilize the cultural, environmental and genetic variation within and of the country. Collaboration of RIBB with FIMM can jumpstart translational research development in Nepal, and the conference was an excellent starting point for further research exploration.

In the autumn of 2022, the RIBB team visited FIMM to share their ongoing research activities and to discuss possible new initiatives to strengthen collaboration to help advance research and training opportunities for RIBB investigators [2]. During the visit, RIBB's president shared conceptual ideas on the RIBB Endowment Fund and its purpose. The FIMM team appreciated the initiative, and as a result a Donation Box was placed at FIMM during the 2022 Christmas season, collecting 107 Euros. This was the first donation amount received for the Endowment fund, thus kick-starting a journey where RIBB plans to raise altogether 1,00,000 USD. The details of the Endowment fund and its utilization can be found on the RIBB website under Friends of RIBB.

References: 
1. Jump-starting development and support of molecular medicine research activities in Nepal

2. Developing Research Bridges between Nepal and Finland