The two-day conference titled “The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange for Strengthening Education System”. The LIKE- hosted in-person conference on September 29th and September 30th, 2023 at Hotel Himalaya, Kupandole, Lalitpur, Nepal. The 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
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.
