Claudine Weatherford

Focus on Faculty
Claudine Weatherford: Going to Kathmandu

By Alita Byrd
Special to FYI Online

If you were asked to name a university that is similar to UMUC, Kathmandu University in Nepal might not be the first place that came to mind. But Claudine Weatherford, adjunct professor of business and management at UMUC, believes the two schools on opposite sides of the world have a lot in common.

"Kathmandu University's School of Management reminds me in some ways of UMUC's mission and programs," Weatherford said. She points out that both schools emphasize a blend of the theoretical and practical, with a hands-on approach to business and management subjects. Courses in human resources and organizational development indicate an interest in people-centered management perspectives. Both schools are relatively young, yet both are growing steadily to meet the career needs and aspirations of their diverse student bodies. Finally, earning a degree at either school requires students to complete academic projects as well as practical, applied learning experiences.

Weatherford isn't one to merely acknowledge such similarities. She is currently planning an extended trip to Nepal and Tibet in the autumn; while there, she will combine trekking in the Himalaya mountains with cultural experiences and a visit to Kathmandu University, where she will explore ways the two schools might cooperate.

She has even applied for funding to spend a semester teaching organizational learning and customer relationship management at Kathmandu University. Negotiations are still underway—via e-mail—but Weatherford is optimistic. Meeting with university administrators in person is the next step.

Weatherford, a professional management and education consultant, is fascinated by mountain cultures such as those found in Nepal and wants to find ways for technology and the distance learning techniques developed by UMUC to aid the people living in such less developed regions.

"I've been playing with a few ideas for quite some time regarding the marriage of distance learning or communication and public health for mountain people, who are often isolated or several days' walk from hospitals or other healthcare," Weatherford said. "I'll be scoping out village life, any existing telecommunication systems, and receptivity to technology—assisted communication-while getting lots of exercise."

Lots of exercise is an understatement. Weatherford, along with two trekking partners (and more if they can be found), plans to spend eight days touring Tibet for some altitude acclimatization before beginning two major treks in Nepal—one to Annapurna Base Camp through the Annapurna Sanctuary, and the second through Solu Khumbu in the Everest region. The group expects spectacular views of Everest from the Tengboche Monastery.

"I've wanted to go to Nepal since I was a vagabond instructor with UMUC–Europe in the 1970s," Weatherford said. "I just never made it. Now that I'm emerging from a 30-year career, I've decided to tick off some of those gaps in my traveling past."

The youngest members of Weatherford's trekking group are only a few years shy of 60—"We're a ripe group," she explained. But Weatherford takes hiking very seriously. Every day she spends several hours walking on the Appalachian Trail, which runs just outside her door in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She hikes an average of 25 miles a week. ("Being a consultant who telecommutes most of the time has its benefits," Weatherford pointed out.)

Weatherford loves being outdoors, but planning for such a major trek isn't easy. She has had to push herself to improve her endurance, and especially to conquer her fear of heights. Part of the trek in Nepal will include crossing the freezing waters of the Dudh Kosi River on narrow suspension bridges.

"It will give me a chance to test my resolve," Weatherford said. But her goals for the trek are simple. "Mainly, I want to see if putting one foot in front of the other will get me to my destination," she said.

Though trekking is certainly the major part of Weatherford's trip this autumn—with visits to tea houses, temples, and markets an added bonus—she has no interest in being like the typical tourist who takes a hike and a few snapshots, then goes home. Weatherford said she likes to be involved and will constantly be on the lookout for things she can do to contribute to the country.

"Nepal is a very, very poor country," she said. "After September 11, tourism—one of Nepal's main sources of revenue—plummeted. It's still not close to recovering. I'd like to be in a better position to motivate adventurists and other travelers to get back on the road and go to Nepal."