Dr. Desh Raj Sonyok is a civil/geotechnical engineer and entrepreneur based in the Washington DC metro area. He holds Master’s Degree in civil engineering with a specialization in tunneling from Kyushu University, Japan, and Ph. D. in civil engineering with a specialization in tunneling from New Mexico State University, USA. He has research and professional experience in experimental geotechnics, tunneling, pavement engineering, construction quality management, geo-structural analysis and design, infrastructure economics, and engineering project management. His work experience includes diverse and challenging infrastructure projects ranging from residential developments to extensive industrial facilities and public sectors such as cities, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. He was involved in the pavement project with the New Mexico Department of Transportation and recently worked in tunneling projects in DC Water’s clean rivers mega-project. Additionally, he has an extensive leadership experience in various social, political, and professional organizations with a proven track record of defining vision and ability to plan, prioritize and implement projects.
Dr. Sonyok is deeply interested in diaspora knowledge networks and diaspora engagement in economic development through knowledge flows, technology transfer, investment, etc. He has been actively engaged in various Nepali diaspora organizations in Japan and USA. He was the former Chairman of the Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP) Committee of the Non-Resident Nepali National Coordination Council of the USA (NRN NCC USA). As a chairman of the STEP committee, his work was directed towards harnessing Nepali diaspora intellectual and financial resources to support development efforts in Nepal. He worked on creating a diaspora knowledge-sharing platform and developing policy on the Nepali diaspora’s collective investment in Nepal. His committee’s policy work is directed toward democratizing investment opportunities by reaching out to untapped resources from millions of small-scale NRN investors in the USA and across the globe. He actively lobbied for the bilateral tax treaty between the United States of America and Nepal to mitigate double taxation for the benefit of Nepali and US citizens, as well as an improvement of the investment environment. His committee also lobbied with the Securities Board of Nepal regarding foreigners and NRN-friendly policies and regulations to allow them directly invest in the Nepalese capital market. Recently, he has been collaborating with experts and pioneer members of NRNA on the concept of Knowledge City in Nepal.
Currently, he serves as chairman and CEO of Nepali Diaspora Investment Fund Inc, which is a collective investment platform for the Nepali diaspora as well as foreign investors. He also serves as a Vice-President of Development for Global South, a Washington D.C.-based organization for good governance and development.
Dr. Desh Raj Sonyok: Senior Tunneling Engineer from Virginia
