Learning Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (LIKE), a social science lab under the Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA), organized a program titled Knowledge Exchange National KIX Coordination Committee Meet with KIX Grantees in New Baneshwor in the national capital yesterday.

LIKE was established in 2021 from a grant awarded by the Global Partnership for Educational Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) and the International Development Research Center (IDRC).

The grant was awarded for research in the “effectiveness and scalability of programs for out-of-school children and at risk of dropping out”. This research is currently conducted in partner institutions based in Bangladesh and Bhutan with Kathmandu University as the lead institution.

This event brought together KIX national committee members from Nepal in its first-ever meeting. The National KIX Coordination Committee includes Prof. Bal Chandra Luitel, Dr. Laxmi Paudyal, Dr. Hari Prasad Lamsal, Dr. Bishnu Khanal, Dr. Jiban Khadka, and Mr. Jaya Prasad Acharya.

Dean of KUSOA Associate Professor Ms. Ekku Maya Pun welcomed the gathering with her introductory remarks laying stress on strengthening the education system of Nepal.

Speaking at this program Dr. Hari Prasad Lamsal Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MoEST) Government of Nepal (GoN) focused on the role of the Nepal Government in facilitating collaborative measures for other universities like Tribhuvan, Kathmandu and the National Open.

Prof. Bal Chandra Luitel, Dean of Kathmandu University School of Education, was one of the many eminent speakers of the occasion. Prof Luitel spoke about transnationality, education policies and the use of comparative data. He also talked about scalable solutions and the importance of methodology while conducting research.

KIX grantees gave presentations on their ongoing research on pedagogical models, implementing methods to improve education in Nepal and its accessibility. The KIX grantees were Dr. Sushil Shrestha, Dr. Ganga Gautam and Shredha Shrestha.

Dr. Binayak Krishna Thapa member of the leadership team of LIKE lab gave concluding remarks. He spoke on the importance of the value of public education for all, knowledge mobilization and capacity building.