Name: ZAHND Alexander
Place of Birth: Basel, Switzerland
Date of Birth: 13th August 1957
Nationalities: Swiss (also Indian (POI) by marriage)
Marital Status: Married, father of 2 children (1989/1991)
Languages: Fluent in German, English and Nepali, learned also French, biblical Greek and Hebrew (need refreshing) /
Address:8262 Station Village Lane, Apt. # 2516, San Diego, California 92108, USA
  • Mobile: +1-626-9310035
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I have aMechanicalEngineering degree (BSc) from Switzerland, and a Masters (MSc) in Renewable Energy from Murdoch University in Western Australia. My industrial experience ranges from development projects in extrusion technology for the food and plastic industry, to pharmaceutical production plants. I lived and worked on and off since 1983 in Nepal developing and leading holistic community development (HCD) project in the remotest and poorest mountain communities in the Nepal Himalayas, since 2002 through the co-founded not-for-profitNGO RIDS-Nepal ( 2001 I am teaching a Renewable Energy course at the Kathmandu University as well as being active in applied research and application of renewable energy technologies for communities and industries in developing countries.Through my engagement and dedication in the field of applied HCD in remote Nepalese villages and my involvement in academic education of engineers in Nepal, I was elected as a member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) in 2007.I am currently also enrolled at the Murdoch University, working on my PhD (thesis submitted in October 2012) with the topic:"The Role of Renewable Energy Technology in Holistic Community Development".

School /Professional Education
1964 - 1968Primary school in Muttenz/ Switzerland
1969 – 1973Secondary school in Pratteln/ Switzerland
1973 - 1977Apprenticeship as Mechanic in BUSS AG in Pratteln/ Switzerland
1977 – 1977 Compulsory Swiss Army Service in Switzerland
20 / University Studies
1977 – 1981 (graduate) BSc in Mechanical Engineering in Basel/CH
1989 – 1991 Theological education for professionals working in developing countries, All Nations Christian College in Hertfordshire, UK
2001 – 2004 MSc in Renewable Energy Technology from Murdoch University in Perth Australia (part-time and on-line course)
2009 – 2013PhD. Thesis Topic: “TheRole ofRenewable Energy Technologyin Holistic Community Development” from Murdoch University in Perth Australia
Diplomas
1977Mechanical Apprenticeship from BUSS AG Pratteln and Gewerbeschule Muttenz beider Basel / Switzerland
1981BSc Mechanical Engineering from Engineering College FHS Muttenz beider Basel / Switzerland(Thesis in: “Vertical Film Evaporator”)
2004MSc in Renewable Energy Technology from Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia (Thesis in: “Solar Photovoltaic Elementary Lighting System for a Poor and Mountain Village Remote in Nepal”)
2013PhD in Renewable Energy (submitted in October 2012 and expected to be awarded in 2013)from Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia (Thesis in: “The Role of Renewable Energy Technology in Holistic Community Development”)

My professional experience from 1991 – 2013

« Implementing and leading new developed concepts and projects for sustainable community development »

2002 – Current

Project Director of the non-profit Nepali NGO RIDS-Nepal (

Responsibilities / activities:

Developing and implementing of new concepts of contextualized long-term holistic community development projects in partnership with remote, high altitude Himalayan communities in Nepal.

Leading and training a team of 15-20 Nepali project, administrative, research and supportive staff.

Overall management and supervision of all village based holistic community development, field research and data monitoring projects with an average budget of 200’000 – 300’000 USD per year. Transparent financial and project progress reporting.

Donor relationship building and maintaining as well as international fund raising activities.

Successfully built and led since 2004 a high-altitude research station for new developed renewable energy technologiesfor endurance and performance testing before they are applied in village projects at 3,000 meters altitude in the remote Nepal Himalayas.

Successfully developed and implement through RIDS-Nepal in 13 local village communities the new Holistic Community Development (HCD) concepts of the “Family of4” and the “Family of 4 PLUS”, with over 1000 end-user families.

Successfully designed and built a Pico-Hydro Power Plant with no cement for rural village electrification in 2006. The Pico-Hydro Power Plant is still running in 2012.

Successfully built, run and monitored two prototype High Altitude Greenhouses for increased agricultural production for local communities during 2005-2008. Since, 34 greenhouses have been built in the local village communities.

Developed and implemented various educational and health improving programs as part of a newNon-Formal-Education project for women and out-of-school children (mainly girls), as well as a Nutrition Program for mal-nourished children <5 years of age.

Follow-upof all village and research projectsongoing development and implementation.

Responsible for the planning and carrying out of foreign professionals’ voluntary contribution to the RIDS-Nepal village and research projects.

Working in close partnership with the local industry to manufacture and disseminate new developed technologies to make them more affordable and wider available for the rural communities.

« Lecturing context related renewable energy technologies and mentoring students in practical research projects »

2001 – 2011(continue to be a member of the expatriate teamat the Kathmandu University)

Visiting Professor Mechanical Engineering Department Kathmandu University, Nepal

Responsibilities / activities:

Lecturing of a renewable energy technology course for Mechanical Engineering Bachelor and Master Degree students I developed for the context of Nepal.

Built and run a combustion (for stove development) and a solar energy (for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal applications developments) laboratory for Kathmandu student research projects and to conduct contracted industry research and testingassignments.

Initiated and mentored 15 student research projects successfully.

Successfully developed through student and research projects the following renewable energy technologies:

  • a solar water heating system for high altitudes (now available from the local industry with government subsidy)
  • a solar drier (now available from the local industry with government subsidy)
  • three different solar photovoltaic systems for individual homes, for a cluster of homes and for a whole village(now available from the local industry with government subsidy)
  • a secondary combustion stove
  • a wind turbine-ventilator for room air-conditioning without electricity

Developed and mentored students working on energy management and energy saving student research projects with and for the local manufacturing and hotelier industry.

Networked donor funds for a 3-years research assistants program for 5 Kathmandu University Professors to mentor young BSc graduates for a more professional start into their career.

Employed and mentored 7 research assistants each for a 3-years program, with each of them having been granted afterwards with a full scholarship for a MSc study program in an international University abroad on a world-wide competitive basis.

Raised successfully funds for all the student research projects and research assistants program for the development and manufacturing of prototypes for the new, contextualized renewable energy technologies.

Built up links with the local industries through student research projects and the new developed renewable energy technologies to manufacture the new developed technologies locally.

« Grass root level empowerment of local communities and staff

1996 - 2000

Project Director of the United Mission to Nepal project KCST in Jumla, Nepal

Responsibilities / activities:

Developing and implementing holistic community development projects in partnership with remote, high altitude Himalayan communities in Nepal.

Leading and training a team of 20 Nepali project, financial and administrative staff.

Overall management and supervision of all village based holistic community development, projects with an average budget of ~100’000 USD per year.

Successfully developed the following technologies:

  • a smokeless metal stove for a defined people group and their context, which was chosen by the Nepal government as the national standard for mid- to high-altitude mountain communities (now available from the local industry with government subsidy)
  • a slow sand water filter for clean drinking water for rural households
  • WLED (white light emitting diode) lamps with a local Nepali company (now WLED lamps are widely and affordably available in Nepal from various local industries for rural indoor lighting).
  • Solar photovoltaic (PV) charge controllers with various functions and safety features with a local Nepali company (now such charge controllers are widely and affordably available in Nepal from various local industries for solar PV systems).
  • Two axis, self-tracking solar PV module frame for village electrification with a local Nepali company (the two-axis solar PV tracker is available in Nepal from a local manufacturer).

Follow-up of village projects and developing teaching methodologies and educational tools to teach local users how to use/operate and maintain their new acquired technologies (stoves, solar PV systems, slow sand water filter).

Working in close partnership with the local industry to manufacture and disseminate new developed technologies for easier and more affordable access for the rural communities.

« Engineering and commissioning of pharmaceutical productions plants »

1991 - 1996

Chemical Process Engineer for Pharmaceutical Production Plants in Switzerland

Responsibilities / activities:

As the right hand of the CEO of a medium sized (20 staff) engineering consultancy company, responsible for a pharmaceutical production plant development, design and implementation team, working under competitive and defined contract conditions for one of the major leading Swiss pharmaceutical companies.

Leading a design and implementation team of up to 10 staff, working within defined and stringent standards (in particular in regard to contamination, clean-tech/rooms and material quality issues and use) for the pharmaceutical industry.

Responsible for the timelybuilding and commissioning of contracted pharmaceutical production plant projects within the available budget. Projects of up to 6 million USD have been successfully commissioned and handed over to the pharmaceutical company.

Previous employments, positions and activities

1988 – 1989Chemical Process Engineer for the development of extruders for the food industry with the company BUSS AG, Pratteln, Switzerland

1985 – 1988Volunteer with “New Life” in Nepal, working with the local church and communities

1983 – 1985Crossing the Himalayan mountain range from East to West by bicycle and trekking

1981 – 1983Chemical Process Engineer for the development of extruders for the plastic industry with the company BUSS AG, Pratteln, Switzerland

Rewards and honours:

  • PhD scholarship (2009-2012) from the Australian Government and Murdoch University
  • SATW (Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences, live long member ship award “in honour and recognition of an active contribution towards a sustainable development of many Nepalese villages with a strong involvement in the education of engineers”.
  • MSc scholarship for the 2nd and 3rd year (2002-2004) Murdoch University on-line “MSc in Renewable Energy Technology”course based on the 1st year postgraduate course achievement, from the Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.

Courses and Lectures:

  • Renewable Energy Technology course (for BSc and MSc) at the Kathmandu University, Nepal, provided from 2005-2011.
  • Lecture Series on “The Role of Energy Services in Community Development” for postgraduate students at the Colorado State University in Boulder Colorado, USA, provided in the spring term 2012, 2013.

Scientific publications:

  • MRD (Mountain Research Development), December 2012
    (as co-author):Solar Greenhouse Technology for Food Security - A Case Study from Humla Nepal Holistic Approach to Community; DOI:
  • Green Energy, November 2012; editors: Dr. M.D. Tiwari, Dr. Anurika Vaish, River Publishers, PO box 1657, Algade 42, 9000 Aarborg Denmark
    (as main author of chapter 5, pages 75 – 142): The Role of Renewable Energy Technology in Holistic Community Development
  • Nano Circle, Innovative Technologies and Trends, The Path to Sustainable Development, Credit Suisse, Switzerland, March 2011.
    Publication: "Innovative Technology with a long-term Holistic Approach”; pages 8-11
  • Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 2009 No. 1(89) ISSN 1292 – 1215
    (as co-author): Characterization of Nepali Solid-state Lamps;
  • International Energy Journal, Volume 10 Issue 2 June 2009
    (as co-author):Thermal evaluation of a greenhouse in a remote high altitude area of Nepal;
  • Environment and Building (Elsevier), Volume 44 Issues 3 March 2009
    (as co-author):Improving comfort levels in a traditional high altitude Nepali house;
  • Renewable Energy, Volume 34, Number 2, February 2009
    (as main author): Benefits from a renewable energy village electrification system, ;pages 362 – 368
  • Mountain Research & Development (MRD), Vol 27 No 4, November 2007
    (as co-author):Responses to innovation in an insecure environment: Participation rates in holistic community development schemes in the midst of the Maoist revolution in Nepal;
  • TRACÉS, Bulletin technique de la Suisse romande, November 2007
    - (as main author):Pico-hydro Power Plant for elementary lighting as Part of a Holistic Community Development Project in a remote and impoverished Himalayan Village in Nepal, pages 11 – 13 (published article is translated into French wit the title "Eclairage sur mesure au Nepal”;
    - (as main author):The Family of 4, pages 7 - 9 (published article is translated into French with the title "Quatre Piliers pour un development holistique”);
  • International Review of Electrical Engineering (I.R.E.E.) Volume 2, No. 5, October 2007
    (as co-author):Energy-efficient Innovative Lighting and Energy Supply Solutions in Developing Countries; , page 665 - 670
  • LEUKOS, The Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, Volume 3, Number 4, April 2007, (international periodical), pages 277 – 291
    (as co-author):Replacing Fuel based Lighting with Emitting Diodes in Developing Countries: Energy and Lighting in Rural Nepali Homes;
  • Solar Progress, Renewable Energy for Australia & New Zealand, December 2006, Volume 27, Number 4
    (as main author):High Altitude Solar Water Heater Community Bathing Center, pages 21-24
  • Boiling Point 51 January 2006 (ITDG periodical)
    Co-author of the publication: “High Altitude Smokeless Metal Stove Research and Development”;, pages 37-8
  • World Rivers Review, February 2005
    (as main author):A Holistic Approach to Community Development; , pages 8, 9, 15

Academic refereed conference papers and workshops:

  • SWC2011 (Solar World Congress 2011), Kassel, Germany, 28.8. – 2.9.2011
    (as main author):The Role of Renewable Energy Technology in Holistic Community Development;
  • RETRUD 2009 (Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Development), Kathmandu, Nepal, 15.10. – 17.10.2009
    (as co-author):Power Generation Potential and Cost of a Roof Top Solar PV System in Kathmandu, Nepal;
  • ANZSES 2009 (Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society), Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 29.09. – 02.10.2009
    - (as co-author):Identification and Evaluation of the Losses Occurring in a Solar PV System under Real Field Conditions for Rural Electrification in Humla, Nepal;
    - (as co-author): “The Importance of Monitoring and PerformanceAnalysis of a Rural Solar PV Electrification Project",
  • Engineers Australia, Queensland Regional Annual Conference 2009, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 14.08.- 15.08.2009
    (as key note speaker):- Holistic Community Development and the Role of Contextualized & Renewable Energy Technologies in Improving Health Conditions in Rural NepalMonitoring and PerformanceAnalysis of a Rural Solar PV Electrification Project
    (as invited guest speaker): - Applied Renewable Energy Technologies for Improved Living Conditions Through Education and Project Implementation
  • ISES - ANZSES 2008 (International Solar Energy Society - Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society), Sydney, Australia, 25.11. – 28.11.2008
    (as main author):Holistic Community Development and the Role of Contextualized & Renewable Energy Technologies in Improving Health Conditions in Rural Nepal;
  • ISEE 2008 Conference, Nairobi, Kenya 4th July 2008
    (as co-author): The porter problem in ecological economics Solar battery recycling in rural electrification;
  • ANZSES 2007 (Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society), Alice Springs, Australia, 02.10. – 06.10.2007
    (as key note paper): Problems Encountered with Solar PV Systems in Himalayan Villages and Possible Remedies;
  • ISES Solar World Congress 2007, Solar Energy and Human Settlement.Beijing, China, 18-21st September, 2007
    (as co-author): Prediction of Hot Water Usage in a Solar Heated Community Bathing Centre in Nepal;
  • WREN 2007 (World Renewable Energy Network), Perth, WA (Western Australia), Australia, 04.02. – 07.02.2007
    (as main author):Benefits from a Renewable Energy Village Electrification System;
  • RETRUD 2006 (Renewable Energy Technology for Rural Development), Kathmandu, Nepal, 12.10. – 14.10.2006
    Academic refereed paper presented (as co-author) on: "High Altitude Smokeless Metal Stove A Research, Development and Implementation Project through the Kathmandu University";
  • ANZSES 2006 (Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society), Australian National University Canberra, Australia, 13.09. – 15.09.2006
    (as main author):High Altitude Solar Water Heater Community Bathing Center for a Remote and Impoverished Himalayan Village;
  • ICREDC06 (International Conference on Renewable Energy for Developing Countries 2006) in Washington DC, USA, 05.04. – 07.0.4.2006
    (as main-author): Renewable Energy Village Power Systems for Remote and Impoverished Himalayan Villages in Nepal;
  • ANZSES 2005 (Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society), Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand, 28.11. – 30.11.2005
    (as main-author):A Simple, Optimised PV System for a Remote Himalayan Village;
  • 6th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption & Production (6APRSCP) Melbourne, Australia, 10.10. – 12.10.2005
    (as main-author):Renewable Energy Resources for Improved, Sustainable Livelihood A Case Study of a Holistic Community Development Project with a Remote and Poor Mountain Village in the Nepal Himalayas;
  • Sustainable Resources Conference 2004 (SR04) Boulder Colorado, USA, 28.9. – 5.10. 204
    (as main-author):Handling Resources Sustainable and Responsible ---Case Study of a Holistic Community Development Project with a Remote and Poor Mountain Village in the Nepal Himalayas, Utilizing the Available Renewable Energy Resources;
  • World Renewable Energy Congress VIII, Denver Colorado, USA, 28.8. – 3.9. 2004
    (as main-author):Handling (Managing, Administrating, Governing) Available Resources Responsibly --- Case Study of a Renewable Energy Project with a Remote and Poor Mountain Village in the Nepal Himalayas
  • ANZSES 2003 (Australia New Zealand Solar Energy Society), Melbourne, Australia, 26.11. – 29.11.203
    (as main-author):Sustainable Renewable Energy Development of a Remote Community in Nepal
  • Sustainable Resources Conference 2003 (SR03) Boulder Colorado, USA, 1.10. – 4.10. 203
    (as main-author):Appropriate Technology for the Poorest Mountain Communities in the Nepal Himalayas

Dissertation Supervision / Adviser:

  • Water Service System Concept Design Generation and Evaluation for a Remote Village in Nepal

Supervised a BSc Hon (Bachelor in Science Honors) Dissertation submitted in September 2007 by Mr. Kris Robinson from ANU (Australian National University in Canberra) Australia; http://