About the Conference
Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (LIKE), a social science lab at Kathmandu University School of Arts is focused on learning through participation, collaboration and developing social innovations by adopting research for development in addressing educational issues. With the aim of social transformation at the core the lab engages with the academicians, researchers, policy makers and development practitioners to craft effective, scalable and sustainable solutions to the issues. Furthermore, in order to understand such efforts, LIKE, with the support of the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX) and International Development Research Center (IDRC), served as an invaluable platform for academia from Nepal and Bhutan to come together, fostering collaboration and strengthening our ties in the pursuit of shared academic goals. The diversity of research studies from the field of social sciences presented in the conference brought a richness to our conversations, sparking new insights and forging lasting connections.
The two-day conference titled “The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange for Strengthening Education System”. The LIKE-hosted in-person conference marked the culmination of the 33-month project titled “Effectiveness and Scalability of Programs for Children Who Are Out of School and at Risk of Dropping Out in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal”. The event aimed to provide a platform for researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and diverse stakeholders to share the knowledge they have developed in various thematic areas.
- Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment
- Learning and the Learners
- Impact Evaluation and Scaling Education Programs
- Digitization of Education and Educational Research Methodology
- GESI Dynamics and Education
- Teacher Professional Development and Leadership
Objective of this Conference
- Disseminate the new knowledge generated on innovative educational solutions that at large strengthens the educational system
This in-person gathering featured two keynote addresses delivered by Dr. Bal Chandra Luitel on “Transformative STEAM Education as a Framework for Improving Public Education in Nepal: The Janahit Way” and Dr. Amina Singh on “Rethinking the Purpose of Education in Neoliberal Times”. The International Conference featured 37 paper presentations, 6 poster presentations and 2 panel discussions. The paper presentations were led by session chairs from Kathmandu University – School of Arts, School of Education and School of Engineering following a set session format.
Additionally, there were opportunities for networking and establishing professional connections. The initial day included the first panel discussion led by Dr. Binayak Krishna Thapa and Dr. Niraj Poudyal focusing on the topic of “Strategies for Scaling Innovations in Educational Programs in South Asia.” The conference also hosted the second panel discussion on the following day centered around the theme, “The Influence of Media on the Advancement of Public Education,” featuring panelists Prakriti Adhikari, Prof. Dr. Usha Jha, and Baburam Poudel, and moderated by Ravi Chandra Parajuli. The conference was attended by a total of 133 individuals from Bhutan, India and Nepal, with 90 being male and 43 being female. The attendees represented 15 organizations from various sectors including the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology (MoEST), academia, media, and the development sector.
Additional Information
LIKE International Conference 2023
- Conference Dates: September 29th and September 30th, 2023
- Mode: In-person conference
- Venue: Hotel Himalaya, Kupandole, Lalitpur, Nepal
- Time: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm
- Conference session format: Keynote speech, parallel tracks, panel discussion
- Working language: English
Prepared By:
Anushka Shrestha, Project Coordinator
Effectiveness and Scalability of Programs for Children Who Are Out of School and at Risk of Dropping Out in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal