LALITPUR, NEPAL, AUGUST 7th, 2025 – The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (LIKE) Lab, in collaboration with the Department of Development Studies, Kathmandu University School of Arts (SoA), hosted a Researchers’ Meet: PhD Scholars and Felicitation Ceremony at Godavari Village Resort. The full-day event brought together PhD scholars, faculty members, and young researchers to share ongoing work, exchange ideas, and strengthen the scholarly community within SoA.
Opening Session
The meet was moderated by Dr. Binayak Krishna Thapa, Head of the Department of Development Studies. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Uddab Pyakurel, Dean of SoA, celebrated the department’s growing doctoral community, including international students, and highlighted the value of the Researchers’ Meet as a platform for learning new methodologies, exchanging ideas, and sharing research best practices. He introduced the first and second cohorts of PhD scholars, including 12 doctoral students from China.
Research Presentations
The program featured eight presentations in two formal sessions:
- Bristi Vaidya – Digital Agro Advisory Services and Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Mixed-method study in Bharatpur and Dakshinkali revealed low active use of digital agro services despite high smartphone ownership, citing barriers such as limited training, gendered phone use, and low retention of information.
- Dul Raj Chimariya – Internationalization of Higher Education: Comparative qualitative analysis of Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University, with case references from IIT Hyderabad and University of Malanga.
- Goma Sigdel – Climate and Flood Resiliency in the Kamala River Basin: Mixed-method research in Dudhauli and Siraha indicated disproportionate climate impacts on marginalized communities; policy briefs and journal manuscripts in progress.
- Sunita Dangol – Gentrification in Kathmandu: Ethnographic study of Baha and Bahi communities, examining socio-economic and cultural transformations; paper accepted for journal publication.
- Niraj Bhandari – Secularism in Nepal: Qualitative exploration of perceptions, state behavior, and impacts of secularism using KIIs and FGDs.
- Pitambar Aryal – Climate-Induced Disasters and Public Health in Melamchi: Mixed-method study focusing on dengue outbreaks and related public health challenges.
- Santa Dangol – Adolescent Contraception in Nepal: Mixed-method policy and practice assessment across six districts, emphasizing community engagement.
- Salpa Shrestha – Bringing Out-of-School Children Back to School: Participatory action research and RCT in the Terai revealed reduced absenteeism and improved enrollment rates.
Scholarly Dialogue and Feedback
Following each presentation, peers and faculty engaged in dynamic discussions, offering constructive feedback on research design, methodological rigor, and connections to broader academic debates. Dr. Jeeva Raj Sharma and Prof. Dr. Riccardo encouraged scholars to situate their work within global scholarly discourse, while Dr. Thapa emphasized procedural clarity and the importance of linking research to the wider field of development studies.
Felicitation Ceremony
The event concluded with a felicitation program honoring young researchers. Ms. Narayani Chaudhari and Ms. Barsha Manandhar were recognized for completing their Bachelor’s degree in Community Development and publishing their thesis. The felicitation was led by Dr. Jeeva Raj Sharma.
Reflections
The meet fostered a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment, underscoring the role of peer-to-peer learning in enhancing research quality and relevance. It reinforced LIKE Lab’s and SoA’s shared commitment to nurturing a vibrant research culture.
